Former White House physician Ronny Jackson questioned Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s mental acuity and suggested that he is unfit for office due to his lapses on the campaign trail.
Jackson, who is running as the GOP’s candidate for a House seat in Texas’ 13th congressional district, made the remarks during a conference call organized by the Trump campaign. The 53-year-old, who served as doctor to former President Barack Obama as well as President Trump, acknowledged that he never personally treated Biden and said his remarks were those of a “concerned citizen” rather than a physician or candidate for office.
“As a citizen of this country, I watch Joe Biden on the campaign trail and I am concerned that he does not have the mental capacity, the cognitive ability to serve as our commander in chief and head of state,” Jackson said during the call.
Trump has repeatedly questioned Biden’s mental acuity ahead of the 2020 election, referring to his opponent as “Sleepy Joe” at rallies. On Tuesday, the president tweeted that Biden had a “particularly bad day” and alleged the former vice president “forgot what State he was in.”
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
A Win for NRA
The city of Los Angeles has been ordered to pay the National Rifle Association $150,000 after Mayor Garcetti and co. were caught trying to strong arm and intimidate city contractors who had ties to the gun organization. Federal Judge Stephen Wilson, of the Central District of California, ruled that the city’s tactics were a violation of the contractors’ 1st Amendment rights of free speech and free association. The city will be paying out $100,000 plus attorney fees.
In April of last year, the city passed a resolution that included all of the normal rhetorical bloviations about guns, and read, in part “The City of Los Angeles has enacted ordinances and adopted positions that promote gunsafety and sensible gun ownership. The City’s residents deserve to know if the City’s public funds are spent on contractors that have contractual or sponsorship ties with the NRA. Public funds provided to such contractors undermines the City’s efforts to legislate and promote gun safety…. this ordinance requires those seeking to do business with the City to fully and accurately disclose any and all contracts with or sponsorship of the NRA.”
The NRA filed suit against the ordinance shortly after it was implemented in April 2019. Amy Hunter, a spokeswoman for the NRA, told the Washington Free Beacon the rulings prove the city unfairly targeted the group because of its advocacy.
“Violations of any constitutional rights by government officials should carry consequences,” she said. “The courts have rightfully imposed those consequences upon Los Angeles. The NRA will continue our fight and, as always, work to hold politicians accountable.”
In April of last year, the city passed a resolution that included all of the normal rhetorical bloviations about guns, and read, in part “The City of Los Angeles has enacted ordinances and adopted positions that promote gunsafety and sensible gun ownership. The City’s residents deserve to know if the City’s public funds are spent on contractors that have contractual or sponsorship ties with the NRA. Public funds provided to such contractors undermines the City’s efforts to legislate and promote gun safety…. this ordinance requires those seeking to do business with the City to fully and accurately disclose any and all contracts with or sponsorship of the NRA.”
The NRA filed suit against the ordinance shortly after it was implemented in April 2019. Amy Hunter, a spokeswoman for the NRA, told the Washington Free Beacon the rulings prove the city unfairly targeted the group because of its advocacy.
“Violations of any constitutional rights by government officials should carry consequences,” she said. “The courts have rightfully imposed those consequences upon Los Angeles. The NRA will continue our fight and, as always, work to hold politicians accountable.”
Denver Local News Bodyguard Who Killed Trump Supporter Bragged About Harassing and Confronting Conservatives in the Past
The private security guard for local station 9News who shot and killed a Trump supporter on Saturday has previously bragged about being confrontational with conservatives.
Matthew Dolloff has been arrested for the shooting of veteran Lee Keltner as leftist militants held a counter “protest” to a pro-Trump rally in Denver on Saturday.
Dolloff has far left posts on his social media going back nearly a decade, and in 2016 he bragged about calling a Trump supporting stranger a racist to their face.
“Ran into a Trump supporter with a Trump Button on their shirt. Told them i like their im a racist button. They had nothing to say,” Dolloff wrote, with the hashtag #F-ckTrump.
The Denver Police claimed in a statement on Saturday evening that the shooter was not aligned with Antifa, but many are now questioning if that claim is true.
Matthew Dolloff has been arrested for the shooting of veteran Lee Keltner as leftist militants held a counter “protest” to a pro-Trump rally in Denver on Saturday.
Dolloff has far left posts on his social media going back nearly a decade, and in 2016 he bragged about calling a Trump supporting stranger a racist to their face.
“Ran into a Trump supporter with a Trump Button on their shirt. Told them i like their im a racist button. They had nothing to say,” Dolloff wrote, with the hashtag #F-ckTrump.
The Denver Police claimed in a statement on Saturday evening that the shooter was not aligned with Antifa, but many are now questioning if that claim is true.
Joe Biden Calls a Lid and Hides in His Basement After Explosive Revelations From Hunter Biden’s Recovered Hard Drive
Joe Biden called a lid at 9:41 this morning and shut down for the day after Rudy Giuliani and Steve Bannon dropped an October surprise on his campaign!
Less than three weeks until the election and Joe Biden has called a lid in order to avoid any questions about the new smoking gun emails released!
At7 PM, Biden was delivering pre-taped remarks to American Muslims at the Muslims Making Change: National Honors event.”
The Presidential Candidate has been hiding all day in his Delaware basement so he doesn’t have to answer why he sold out his public office to enrich his family.
Biden previously claimed, “I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings.”
Less than three weeks until the election and Joe Biden has called a lid in order to avoid any questions about the new smoking gun emails released!
At7 PM, Biden was delivering pre-taped remarks to American Muslims at the Muslims Making Change: National Honors event.”
The Presidential Candidate has been hiding all day in his Delaware basement so he doesn’t have to answer why he sold out his public office to enrich his family.
Biden previously claimed, “I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings.”
Homeless Man Donates $1 To Oregon Historical Society After Antifa Rioters Destroy Museum
After the predominantly white crowd of antifa terrorists toppled Lincoln and Roosevelt statues and destroyed the Oregon Historical Society in the name of equality and racial justice, an unsuspecting donor rose up to help the Oregon Historical Society repair their museum. A homeless man by the name of Oscar left a handwritten note and a $1 bill for the Society.
"Hello, I’m homeless, so I don’t have much to give you. Just some of my bottle collecting money. But, I saw your windows got broken and I wanted to help. You once gave me a free tour before the pandemic. So, this is a thank you."
Oscar
Tymchuk spoke about the generous gift and said that though OHS was receiving several donations in the aftermath of the damage, Oscar’s gesture was priceless.
"Hello, I’m homeless, so I don’t have much to give you. Just some of my bottle collecting money. But, I saw your windows got broken and I wanted to help. You once gave me a free tour before the pandemic. So, this is a thank you."
Oscar
Tymchuk spoke about the generous gift and said that though OHS was receiving several donations in the aftermath of the damage, Oscar’s gesture was priceless.
Biden’s Son-In-Law Advising Campaign On Pandemic While Investing In Companies That Will Benefit From It
In what should be an obvious conflict of interests, Joe Biden’s son-in-law Howard Klein is advising Biden’s campaign on the Coronavirus pandemic, while investing in companies which stand to gain from it.
Try to imagine the reaction from Democrats and the media, if Trump’s son in law was poised to benefit financially from the pandemic.
It would be front page news.
Krein’s venture capital business has been running a special initiative to invest in health care startups that offer solutions to the pandemic.
In March, as Covid-19 began spreading in the United States, the investment firm, StartUp Health, unveiled a new coronavirus initiative soliciting pitches from entrepreneurs with products that addressed the outbreak.
The next month, reports in Bloomberg and the New York Times listed Krein among those participating in daily calls to brief Biden on health policy during the pandemic, while StartUp Health announced its intention to invest $1 million across 10 startups with coronavirus applications within 30 days.
“StartUp Health is putting the full support of its platform and network behind building a post-Covid world that uses technology and entrepreneurial ingenuity to improve health outcomes,” the firm said at the time.
Krein simultaneously advising the campaign and venturing into Covid investing could pose conflict-of-interest concerns for a Biden administration or simply create the awkward appearance of Krein profiting off his father-in-law’s policies.
Try to imagine the reaction from Democrats and the media, if Trump’s son in law was poised to benefit financially from the pandemic.
It would be front page news.
Krein’s venture capital business has been running a special initiative to invest in health care startups that offer solutions to the pandemic.
In March, as Covid-19 began spreading in the United States, the investment firm, StartUp Health, unveiled a new coronavirus initiative soliciting pitches from entrepreneurs with products that addressed the outbreak.
The next month, reports in Bloomberg and the New York Times listed Krein among those participating in daily calls to brief Biden on health policy during the pandemic, while StartUp Health announced its intention to invest $1 million across 10 startups with coronavirus applications within 30 days.
“StartUp Health is putting the full support of its platform and network behind building a post-Covid world that uses technology and entrepreneurial ingenuity to improve health outcomes,” the firm said at the time.
Krein simultaneously advising the campaign and venturing into Covid investing could pose conflict-of-interest concerns for a Biden administration or simply create the awkward appearance of Krein profiting off his father-in-law’s policies.
Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii question to Judge Barrett, proves Democrats have no shame
Democrats have thrown a lot at Judge Amy Barrett in two days, and she has maintained her calm, intelligent and bright moral fortitude.
The Supreme Court Justice nominee, mother of 7, carries herself with dignity and style which is unmatched, inconceivable, and unachievable by any Democrat, so the question asked my Senator Hirono shouldn't come as a surprise to us, and yet we still find ourselves asking, Is anything beneath them?
“I ask each nominee … since you became a legal adult, have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature?” Hirono asked.
“No, Sen. Hirono,” Barrett answered.
Hirono added, “Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to this kind of comment?”
Barrrett again answered, “No, senator.”
Perhaps someone should ask Hirono that question.
The Supreme Court Justice nominee, mother of 7, carries herself with dignity and style which is unmatched, inconceivable, and unachievable by any Democrat, so the question asked my Senator Hirono shouldn't come as a surprise to us, and yet we still find ourselves asking, Is anything beneath them?
“I ask each nominee … since you became a legal adult, have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature?” Hirono asked.
“No, Sen. Hirono,” Barrett answered.
Hirono added, “Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to this kind of comment?”
Barrrett again answered, “No, senator.”
Perhaps someone should ask Hirono that question.
School District Tries To Get Away with Silencing Pro-Trump Student, Federal Judge Steps In
We’ve reached a point in American society where expressing support for the sitting president of our country is considered “too political” for some people.
That’s the excuse a school district gave for painting over a portrait of President Donald Trump painted on a student’s parking spot. Thankfully, a federal judge stepped in to uphold the student’s right to free speech.
As part of what sounds like a very cool tradition, seniors at a Louisiana high school in Washington Parish can pay $25 to paint their assigned parking spaces. The students must get approval for their paintings, but the school’s policy appears to ban only lewd images and language and using other students’ names, as reported by The New Orleans Advocate.
This year, however, Washington schools Superintendent Frances Varnado also tried to exclude a painting of President Trump.
Ned Thomas, a senior at Pine Junior-Senior High School, commissioned for his parking spot a portrait of President Trump wearing a stars-and-stripes bandana and sunglasses.
I wonder if the school board would have considered a portrait of Obama “too political” during his presidency.
Varnado claimed she was trying to avoid controversy, but her actions had the opposite effect. In addition to angry emails, Thomas’ parents filed a federal lawsuit seeking an injunction.
U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon — who happened to be appointed by President Bill Clinton — ruled in favor of Thomas and free speech.
“The painting of President Trump cannot reasonably be described as obscene or plainly offensive on its face, nor can it be construed as school-sponsored speech,” Fallon wrote.
The painting, he continued, “depicts the sitting President of the United States. This is not a case involving a symbol such as a Confederate flag, which has an established meaning as a ‘symbol of racism and intolerance, regardless of whatever other meanings may be associated with it.”
That’s the excuse a school district gave for painting over a portrait of President Donald Trump painted on a student’s parking spot. Thankfully, a federal judge stepped in to uphold the student’s right to free speech.
As part of what sounds like a very cool tradition, seniors at a Louisiana high school in Washington Parish can pay $25 to paint their assigned parking spaces. The students must get approval for their paintings, but the school’s policy appears to ban only lewd images and language and using other students’ names, as reported by The New Orleans Advocate.
This year, however, Washington schools Superintendent Frances Varnado also tried to exclude a painting of President Trump.
Ned Thomas, a senior at Pine Junior-Senior High School, commissioned for his parking spot a portrait of President Trump wearing a stars-and-stripes bandana and sunglasses.
I wonder if the school board would have considered a portrait of Obama “too political” during his presidency.
Varnado claimed she was trying to avoid controversy, but her actions had the opposite effect. In addition to angry emails, Thomas’ parents filed a federal lawsuit seeking an injunction.
U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon — who happened to be appointed by President Bill Clinton — ruled in favor of Thomas and free speech.
“The painting of President Trump cannot reasonably be described as obscene or plainly offensive on its face, nor can it be construed as school-sponsored speech,” Fallon wrote.
The painting, he continued, “depicts the sitting President of the United States. This is not a case involving a symbol such as a Confederate flag, which has an established meaning as a ‘symbol of racism and intolerance, regardless of whatever other meanings may be associated with it.”
Bill Barr’s ‘Unmasking’ Probe Into Obama Officials Concludes without Charges
The US Attorney tapped by Attorney General Bill Barr to investigate “unmasking” done by Obama’s criminal officials around the 2016 has concluded the probe without bringing any charges, according to the Washington Post.
US Attorney John Bash reportedly found no evidence of wrongdoing and concluded the probe without charges and without a public report.
The probe into unmasking was launched in May of this year after then-acting DNI Richard Grenell declassified the list of Obama officials involved in the unmasking of General Mike Flynn in his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
Names included former CIA Director John Brennan, Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power and former DNI chief James Clapper.
Joe Biden was also on the list!
US Attorney John Bash was also investigating whether Obama officials leaked information to reporters, but found no wrongdoing.
US Attorney John Bash reportedly found no evidence of wrongdoing and concluded the probe without charges and without a public report.
The probe into unmasking was launched in May of this year after then-acting DNI Richard Grenell declassified the list of Obama officials involved in the unmasking of General Mike Flynn in his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
Names included former CIA Director John Brennan, Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power and former DNI chief James Clapper.
Joe Biden was also on the list!
US Attorney John Bash was also investigating whether Obama officials leaked information to reporters, but found no wrongdoing.
California Man Finds Mail-In Ballots in Santa Monica Trash Cans
A Santa Monica man found dozens of mail-in ballots and other important mail tossed into two trash cans in an alley last week.
The man called local authorities who are looking into the scandal.
A California man said he found dozens of mail-in ballots in two trash cans.
“I opened the trash can, and I see a lot of envelopes and ballots, especially ballot envelopes in the trash can, and I knew right away that was not normal,” said Osvaldo Jimenez, who found the mail last Thursday.
The trash cans are located in Santa Monica and contained several dozen ballots, as well as other mail such as bank statements and bills. All of the mail was addressed to homes in the area.
“I thought it was somebody playing a prank,” he said. “Nobody’s going to throw ballot envelopes in the trash can.”
Jimenez alerted authorities to his discovery.
“If it was my ballot in there I would want somebody to recover it,” Jimenez said. “Every vote counts, whichever party it is.”
Separately, authorities in San Bernardino County also reported two batches of discarded mail found on city blocks last week.
In Los Angeles, another person found discarded ballots near an ATM.
The man called local authorities who are looking into the scandal.
A California man said he found dozens of mail-in ballots in two trash cans.
“I opened the trash can, and I see a lot of envelopes and ballots, especially ballot envelopes in the trash can, and I knew right away that was not normal,” said Osvaldo Jimenez, who found the mail last Thursday.
The trash cans are located in Santa Monica and contained several dozen ballots, as well as other mail such as bank statements and bills. All of the mail was addressed to homes in the area.
“I thought it was somebody playing a prank,” he said. “Nobody’s going to throw ballot envelopes in the trash can.”
Jimenez alerted authorities to his discovery.
“If it was my ballot in there I would want somebody to recover it,” Jimenez said. “Every vote counts, whichever party it is.”
Separately, authorities in San Bernardino County also reported two batches of discarded mail found on city blocks last week.
In Los Angeles, another person found discarded ballots near an ATM.
Man Who Fired First Shots Behind Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha Has Been Charged
The man who fired the first shots from behind Kyle Rittenhouse during the fatal incident in Kenosha has been charged.
Joshua Ziminski, 35, has been charged with disorderly conduct and use of a dangerous weapon for firing his weapon during the incident on August 25.According to the charging document, obtained by The Gateway Pundit, while investigating the shooting by Rittenhouse, Kenosha detectives obtained videos in which Ziminski “was holding a black handgun, which he was holding in his left hand, pointing downward. Detective Howard reports that in reviewing multiple other videos, he was able to see the defendant and Kelly Ziminski, in and around multiple other people on the streets, and the defendant was seen holding the handgun down at his side in said videos.”
New Jersey mayor's Facebook post blasting Trump and his supporters prompts outcry
A New Jersey mayor has come under fire for a private Facebook post that condemned President Donald Trump and likened his supporters to “religious zealots” who want to “enact the Christian version of Sharia law.”
The post, allegedly from Flemington Mayor Betsy Driver, was shared Saturday on the Hunterdon GOP’s website.
“This is day one of the new SCOTUS terms – the religious zealots want to enact the Christian version of Sharia law,” the post reads. “If you voted for the orange monster with COVID, go f--- yourself. If you plan on voting for him again, unfriend me and go f--- yourself again.”
Hunterdon GOP Chair Gabe Plumer, who shared the post online, derided it as “shameful” and “insulting,” and called on Driver to resign.
“Your statement is antithetical to the principles of representative democracy,” Plumer wrote in a statement. “It is further proof that you do not represent the people of Flemington, the character of Hunterdon County, and the values of at least part of the Democrat party.”
The post, allegedly from Flemington Mayor Betsy Driver, was shared Saturday on the Hunterdon GOP’s website.
“This is day one of the new SCOTUS terms – the religious zealots want to enact the Christian version of Sharia law,” the post reads. “If you voted for the orange monster with COVID, go f--- yourself. If you plan on voting for him again, unfriend me and go f--- yourself again.”
Hunterdon GOP Chair Gabe Plumer, who shared the post online, derided it as “shameful” and “insulting,” and called on Driver to resign.
“Your statement is antithetical to the principles of representative democracy,” Plumer wrote in a statement. “It is further proof that you do not represent the people of Flemington, the character of Hunterdon County, and the values of at least part of the Democrat party.”
MSNBC Hosts Praise Judge Amy Coney Barrett for Her Answer on George Floyd Question
During the second day of Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s hearing before the Senate committee regarding her nomination for Supreme Court justice, she was asked to relay her perspective on racism in America.
And according to MSNBC hosts Chuck Todd and Andrea Mitchell, Barrett’s response was “accessible and touching.”
“It wasn’t a judge who responded, it was an American citizen, a mom, you know … and I kinda wish more senators would ask more questions like that so you find out the fuller picture of who these folks are,” Todd said.
Mitchell added: “And that made her so relatable; this is a white mom with black children explaining the talk that black parents have had to communicate to their kids for generations, for centuries — if you will — and this is an interracial family, a multiracial family — it’s something more and more present in America.”
Such a response from the establishment media is a complete reversal to their slew of attacks on Barrett and her family since her nomination by President Donald Trump — attacking her faith, her affiliation with the late Justice Antonin Scalia and her views on abortion.
So what did Barrett say?
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois asked Barrett if she had seen the footage of George Floyd’s arrest.
“I have,” Barrett responded.
“What impact did it have on you?” Durbin asked.
“Senator, as you might imagine given that I have two black children, that was very, very personal for my family,” Barrett said. “Jesse was with the boys on a camping trip out in South Dakota, so I was there and my 17-year-old daughter Vivian, who was adopted from Haiti, all of this was erupting, it was very difficult for her.
“We wept together in my room. And then it was also difficult for my daughter Julia who’s 10, I had to try to explain some of this to them.
“I mean, my children to this point in their lives have had the benefit of growing up in a cocoon where they have not yet experienced hatred or violence, and for Vivian to understand there would be a risk to her brother or the son she might have one day, of that kind of brutality, has been an ongoing conversation. It’s a difficult one for us like it is for Americans all over the country.”
And according to MSNBC hosts Chuck Todd and Andrea Mitchell, Barrett’s response was “accessible and touching.”
“It wasn’t a judge who responded, it was an American citizen, a mom, you know … and I kinda wish more senators would ask more questions like that so you find out the fuller picture of who these folks are,” Todd said.
Mitchell added: “And that made her so relatable; this is a white mom with black children explaining the talk that black parents have had to communicate to their kids for generations, for centuries — if you will — and this is an interracial family, a multiracial family — it’s something more and more present in America.”
Such a response from the establishment media is a complete reversal to their slew of attacks on Barrett and her family since her nomination by President Donald Trump — attacking her faith, her affiliation with the late Justice Antonin Scalia and her views on abortion.
So what did Barrett say?
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois asked Barrett if she had seen the footage of George Floyd’s arrest.
“I have,” Barrett responded.
“What impact did it have on you?” Durbin asked.
“Senator, as you might imagine given that I have two black children, that was very, very personal for my family,” Barrett said. “Jesse was with the boys on a camping trip out in South Dakota, so I was there and my 17-year-old daughter Vivian, who was adopted from Haiti, all of this was erupting, it was very difficult for her.
“We wept together in my room. And then it was also difficult for my daughter Julia who’s 10, I had to try to explain some of this to them.
“I mean, my children to this point in their lives have had the benefit of growing up in a cocoon where they have not yet experienced hatred or violence, and for Vivian to understand there would be a risk to her brother or the son she might have one day, of that kind of brutality, has been an ongoing conversation. It’s a difficult one for us like it is for Americans all over the country.”
VA Governor Northam allegedly a target of militia group as well
The suspects accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also talked about "taking" the governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, out of anger about that leader's lockdown order during the COVID-19 pandemic, an FBI agent testified Tuesday.
Special FBI agent Richard Trask disclosed this detail during a preliminary examination in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, where five suspects have bond hearings scheduled for later Tuesday to determine if they should be released or remain jailed pending the outcomes of their cases.
Prior to the bond hearings, Trask outlined the FBI's case against the men, alleging they are part of a larger group of self-titled militia members from multiple states who met online earlier this year and discussed attacking government officials.
Specifically, Trask testified, the members discussed "taking a sitting governor" and specifically had issues with the governors of Michigan and Virginia based on their lockdown orders.
"The understanding at the time was to potentially kidnap a sitting governor and remove them from office," Trask testified, later adding that the plan ultimately focused on Whitmer. "The plan was ultimately to take her and place her on trial at a different location."
Special FBI agent Richard Trask disclosed this detail during a preliminary examination in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, where five suspects have bond hearings scheduled for later Tuesday to determine if they should be released or remain jailed pending the outcomes of their cases.
Prior to the bond hearings, Trask outlined the FBI's case against the men, alleging they are part of a larger group of self-titled militia members from multiple states who met online earlier this year and discussed attacking government officials.
Specifically, Trask testified, the members discussed "taking a sitting governor" and specifically had issues with the governors of Michigan and Virginia based on their lockdown orders.
"The understanding at the time was to potentially kidnap a sitting governor and remove them from office," Trask testified, later adding that the plan ultimately focused on Whitmer. "The plan was ultimately to take her and place her on trial at a different location."
NAACP-Files a lawsuit against VA Board of Elections asking registration deadline to be extended
An accidentally severed fiber optic cable that shut down Virginia’s online voter registration system for several hours Tuesday, the last day to register before the November general election, has prompted a lawsuit from a civil rights organization.
The Virginia Department of Elections said in a statement on Twitter that a “fiber cut” affected connectivity for multiple agencies, including the department’s citizen portal and registrar’s offices. The cable was inadvertently cut during a Chesterfield County roadside utilities project, according to the state’s information technology agency.
Six hours later, the Department of Elections issued a statement saying the portal was back online. But the fallout led to concerns that voters were being disenfranchised at a crucial moment.
Voting advocates said the accident couldn’t have come at a worse time and lambasted state officials for the technological failure. The day of the deadline is when many Virginians decide to register, particularly after being reminded on social media and in the news.
The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a lawsuit Tuesday night saying voter registration must be extended for 48 hours and that the state should make “a significant effort” to tell the public about the change. Named as defendants in the lawsuit are the Virginia Department of Elections; the Virginia State Board of Elections; elections board chairman Robert H. Brink and vice chairman John O’Bannon; Christopher Piper, commissioner of the Department of Elections; and Jamilah D. Lecruise, secretary of the board of elections.
The Virginia Department of Elections said in a statement on Twitter that a “fiber cut” affected connectivity for multiple agencies, including the department’s citizen portal and registrar’s offices. The cable was inadvertently cut during a Chesterfield County roadside utilities project, according to the state’s information technology agency.
Six hours later, the Department of Elections issued a statement saying the portal was back online. But the fallout led to concerns that voters were being disenfranchised at a crucial moment.
Voting advocates said the accident couldn’t have come at a worse time and lambasted state officials for the technological failure. The day of the deadline is when many Virginians decide to register, particularly after being reminded on social media and in the news.
The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a lawsuit Tuesday night saying voter registration must be extended for 48 hours and that the state should make “a significant effort” to tell the public about the change. Named as defendants in the lawsuit are the Virginia Department of Elections; the Virginia State Board of Elections; elections board chairman Robert H. Brink and vice chairman John O’Bannon; Christopher Piper, commissioner of the Department of Elections; and Jamilah D. Lecruise, secretary of the board of elections.
Case dismissed against Portsmouth, VA Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke who was served with misdemeanor charges
Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke was served with misdemeanor charges on August 24, by a Portsmouth resident, who said she violated the city charter.
Yesterday a Judge dismissed those charges. Lucas-Burke's lawyer presented the judge with part of a statute that disallows the investigation of elected officials, regardless of a complaint, stating those charges have to come from the Governor.
Lucas-Burke's mother, Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), was one of 14 people charged related to the destruction of the city's Confederate monument in June.
In retaliation, the Vice Mayor called for the Chief of Police to be removed.
Portsmouth resident Thomas Dubois then filed misdemeanor charges with the magistrate, alleging Lucas violated the city charter by calling for Police Chief Angela Greene to be terminated.
Misdemeanors are punishable by a fine, but not jail time. If Lucas-Burke had been convicted, she would have had to give up her city council seat. She is currently running for re-election.
In August, a local news station asked Lucas-Burke what power the city council had to fire the chief if the city manager didn't do it. "We could fire [the city manager]," Lucas-Burke responded, but she noted Dr. Lydia Pettis Patton is scheduled to retire at the end of the year. “Day one of the new city manager - if we don’t fire Angela Greene by then, that’s the first order of business that I want the city manager to take care of."
This is the perfect example of a witch hunt!
Yesterday a Judge dismissed those charges. Lucas-Burke's lawyer presented the judge with part of a statute that disallows the investigation of elected officials, regardless of a complaint, stating those charges have to come from the Governor.
Lucas-Burke's mother, Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), was one of 14 people charged related to the destruction of the city's Confederate monument in June.
In retaliation, the Vice Mayor called for the Chief of Police to be removed.
Portsmouth resident Thomas Dubois then filed misdemeanor charges with the magistrate, alleging Lucas violated the city charter by calling for Police Chief Angela Greene to be terminated.
Misdemeanors are punishable by a fine, but not jail time. If Lucas-Burke had been convicted, she would have had to give up her city council seat. She is currently running for re-election.
In August, a local news station asked Lucas-Burke what power the city council had to fire the chief if the city manager didn't do it. "We could fire [the city manager]," Lucas-Burke responded, but she noted Dr. Lydia Pettis Patton is scheduled to retire at the end of the year. “Day one of the new city manager - if we don’t fire Angela Greene by then, that’s the first order of business that I want the city manager to take care of."
This is the perfect example of a witch hunt!