“Is God choosing Donald Trump?”
This is not a question that many American voters, even those who are supporting the current Republican frontrunner, are asking themselves. But it is one that Julian Raven, a self-described “evangelist by vocation and artist by trade” who is currently driving through Iowa in a pick-up truck with a vinyl reproduction of his massive painting of Trump in tow, is inclined to answer in the affirmative.
Raven’s background is not in politics and, until recently, he was not painting either. For years Raven, who was born in London and became an American citizen last fall, made cabinets and other high-end furniture in New York. “I used to think I would have to die first before I made it,” he says.
He worked mainly in an abstract expressionist vein under the influence of Jackson Pollock. That changed last year after he saw a photograph of Alan Henning, the British cab driver beheaded by ISIS, and painted his portrait. “He was slaughtered like an animal,” Raven says. “I was moved to tears by that level of inhumanity.” This was the beginning of a turn toward representation in his work that culminated in “Unafraid and Unashamed,” the 7’ by 15’ acrylic nightscape of Donald Trump standing beside an eagle and the planet Earth that Raven completed last summer over a period of two months.
For Raven, this was a religious experience. “On July 9,” he says, “I was looking carefully at a photograph of Mr. Trump’s face and listening to his words when I had this moment of inspiration: the words ‘unashamed and unafraid.’ As I was thinking about him I had this picture in my head immediately of an eagle swooping down and catching a falling U.S. flag.”
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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
Monday, January 25, 2016
Hillary Clinton’s Denials Are Getting Old?
By Thornton Crowe
Watching the news and seeing Clinton’s continuous denials of any wrongdoing is getting old. She constantly changes her story and words to emanate that she has done nothing wrong even though it’s established fact that she was not allowed to use a private server for her emails dealing with State Department business. She is getting to the point of looking like her skirt-chasing hubby when he said, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman…”
Just because you repeat the same meme like some mindless robot, doesn’t make it so.
Who does she think she’s fooling? Her poll numbers are plummeting, Liberals are opting for the Socialist rantings of Bernie Sanders as opposed to staying in her camp and some spokespeople (celebrities) are being to distance themselves from her campaign. Doesn’t she see the writing on the wall or is she that saturated in the entitlement revelry that she has convinced herself she has some chance?
The Clintons have always enjoyed this bubble, leaving them free to do as they please regardless of laws, rules or regulations. An example is the money-laundering schema they have been enjoying with their charity (sic) the Clinton Foundation. Incidentally, her interviews don’t even broach that subject. Another issue not raised by most of the big MSM is her complete incompetence as Secretary of State and Benghazi.
Aren't these things important to people anymore? Do we really want criminals to continue to squat at 1600? Are we as voters so resigned and jaded to accept this from people meant to represent us in the world theater? Shouldn't our leader be held to a higher standard than the rest of us when it comes to integrity, abiding the law and possessing a sense of decency?
Does Hillary Clinton really represent the Silent Majority? I think not.
I know many think she has this primary in the bag, but I, for one, am waiting for the fat lady to sing before resigning to her possible presidency. I think her chickens are about to come back to haunt her – as they should. She is not immune to the law and should not be allowed to continue even in this primary. I fully agree with the others whom state she should be indicted of her crimes against the country and held accountable. The same goes for Bill Clinton, too.
How say you?
Rudy Giuliani: Hillary Can't Avoid Indictment in Email Scandal
Former New York City Mayor and U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani said Wednesday he doesn't think there is any way Hillary Clinton should be able to avoid facing an indictment for the "secretive and highly classified" government information found on the private email server she used while secretary of state.
"[There are] 13 violations of federal law that she arguably committed," Giuliani told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program. "This is about as clear as it gets. It is a crime to negligently handle top secret material."
Giuliani said in his days in the government, there were times he'd be at work until 2 a.m. because he never took top secret materials out of his office.
"Now, how can she put all this out there and not get proceeded against by the government," said Giuliani, noting that there is currently a push to demote former Gen. David Petraeus' rank over his sharing of secret information with his biographer and mistress.
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"[There are] 13 violations of federal law that she arguably committed," Giuliani told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program. "This is about as clear as it gets. It is a crime to negligently handle top secret material."
Giuliani said in his days in the government, there were times he'd be at work until 2 a.m. because he never took top secret materials out of his office.
"Now, how can she put all this out there and not get proceeded against by the government," said Giuliani, noting that there is currently a push to demote former Gen. David Petraeus' rank over his sharing of secret information with his biographer and mistress.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN
Nevertheless, I will not be daunted in my desire and commitment to serve you, the people. For the nexteleveen months I will be traveling among you as one of you, to listen to your deepest longings and needs. I will be with you in your Wal-Marts and beside you in your Burger Kings. I will drive with you down the busy interstate highways of our land, sharing your poverty and needs.
How well I remember the days when the Duke of Arkansas and I were impoverished. After we were expelled from our Washington Palace we hardly had two mansions to rub together. We were so poor that we removed thousands of dollars of china, flatware, carpets and gifts from the Washington Palace just to survive. Shockingly, unscrupulous and ungrateful officials later forced us to return many of these treasures. Now, happily, benefactors from around our empire have given me just enough for us to scrape by.
During these difficult times, we had to cut back. When our daughter was married, we only had three million dollars to spend on her wedding. And, I remember our hopes, as she moved into her $10 million Manhattan apartment, that one day she would be able to move on from that humble abode to something more fitting. After working for MSNBC for a starting salary of a mere $600,000 per year, what else could she do? So I now pay her $3,000,000 a year to run the 'Foundation'.
So, as I travel across our kingdom to meet you all, I will be listening and sharing with you. Then, when the time for the royal election (Coronation) comes, I know I can count on you to crown me as your rightful monarch, with my assurance that I will continue King Obama’s policies, and we can all live happily ever after.
Your Queen-in-Waiting,
Hilarity Rodham Clinton
Paul Ryan Goes on Offense
Paul Ryan enters his first full year as speaker of the House with a unified caucus, an ambitious agenda, and an audacious goal: Go on offense against President Obama and the Democratic Party, while laying the predicate for unified Republican control of government in 2017. “We have no clue who our nominee is going to be,” Ryan tells me over the phone, “and the last thing we should do is sit around and wait.”
Ryan says he learned in 2012 that Republicans should make the case for their policies as quickly and as forcefully as possible. “We can’t sit around and be reactionaries and walk into every trap Obama sets for us. We have to nationalize the election on ideas and give the country a choice.” He wants an “honest election” that results in a “mandate election victory” for the next president: “An honest election isn’t running on vague platitudes, it isn’t a personality contest. It’s explaining who you are, what you believe, what you intend to do, and why it relates to people.”
I spoke to Ryan as he prepared to return to Wisconsin in time for a parent-teacher conference. What’s surprised him most about being speaker, he said, is how much he likes the job. “I re-engineered the job, loosening it up, decentralizing power through regular order. I’m not sitting in an office trying to predetermine everything. I’ve made it more of a policy and communications role.” He’s stuck to his pledge of dedicating weekends to his family. The atmosphere at the recent House Republican retreat, he said, was “very good, very pumped.” Congressmen are energized; they want to work. “We’re not sitting in these jobs hoping to keep them and have careers as politicians. We all know the general direction we want to go.”
More here
Ryan says he learned in 2012 that Republicans should make the case for their policies as quickly and as forcefully as possible. “We can’t sit around and be reactionaries and walk into every trap Obama sets for us. We have to nationalize the election on ideas and give the country a choice.” He wants an “honest election” that results in a “mandate election victory” for the next president: “An honest election isn’t running on vague platitudes, it isn’t a personality contest. It’s explaining who you are, what you believe, what you intend to do, and why it relates to people.”
I spoke to Ryan as he prepared to return to Wisconsin in time for a parent-teacher conference. What’s surprised him most about being speaker, he said, is how much he likes the job. “I re-engineered the job, loosening it up, decentralizing power through regular order. I’m not sitting in an office trying to predetermine everything. I’ve made it more of a policy and communications role.” He’s stuck to his pledge of dedicating weekends to his family. The atmosphere at the recent House Republican retreat, he said, was “very good, very pumped.” Congressmen are energized; they want to work. “We’re not sitting in these jobs hoping to keep them and have careers as politicians. We all know the general direction we want to go.”
More here
Take A Picture, It Lasts Longer
Good and bad luck signs from Irish folklore
Children were instructed to research local history, folktales, legends, customs, games, riddles, proverbs, and songs. Now known as the Schools’ Manuscript Collection, the project resulted in more than half a million manuscript pages of valuable material.
The following list is an extensive collection of "Lucky and Unlucky Signs" supplied by students at the Listowel National school in Co. Kerry in 1938.
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Labor Boss Attacks Free Beacon After Story on Mysterious Puerto Rican Charity
PR firm linked to White House circulates ‘research memo’
A New York labor boss is circulating a “research memo” blasting the Washington Free Beacon as a “conservative smear machine” and a “tool of right wing extremists” just one day after the Free Beacon published a story on a mysterious charity he has been operating in Puerto Rico.
The “Washington Free Beacon research” memo was obtained by the Free Beacon after former SEIU chief Dennis Rivera emailed it to various associates on Friday. According to the document’s metadata, it was drafted by a staffer at the White House-linked public relations firm SKD Knickerbocker.
The memo, which appeared to have been compiled in haste, was circulated in response to a Free Beacon story that was published on Thursday. The story revealed that companies with business interests in Puerto Rico were pouring money into Rivera’s charity, which lists the brother of the scandal-plagued governor of Puerto Rico as its only paid employee.
The charity, which had been founded in 1996 as a Hispanic legal rights group, quietly changed its name to the “Sociedad Económica De Amigos Del Pais Inc.” and moved to Puerto Rico in 2014 with the revised mission of helping support the island’s economic recovery.
The group is funded by prominent Puerto Rican companies that are also lobbying for debt restructuring and federal financial assistance for the island. Rivera has recently been a vocal advocate for increased Medicare and Medicaid funding to Puerto Rico.
More here
A New York labor boss is circulating a “research memo” blasting the Washington Free Beacon as a “conservative smear machine” and a “tool of right wing extremists” just one day after the Free Beacon published a story on a mysterious charity he has been operating in Puerto Rico.
The “Washington Free Beacon research” memo was obtained by the Free Beacon after former SEIU chief Dennis Rivera emailed it to various associates on Friday. According to the document’s metadata, it was drafted by a staffer at the White House-linked public relations firm SKD Knickerbocker.
The memo, which appeared to have been compiled in haste, was circulated in response to a Free Beacon story that was published on Thursday. The story revealed that companies with business interests in Puerto Rico were pouring money into Rivera’s charity, which lists the brother of the scandal-plagued governor of Puerto Rico as its only paid employee.
The charity, which had been founded in 1996 as a Hispanic legal rights group, quietly changed its name to the “Sociedad Económica De Amigos Del Pais Inc.” and moved to Puerto Rico in 2014 with the revised mission of helping support the island’s economic recovery.
The group is funded by prominent Puerto Rican companies that are also lobbying for debt restructuring and federal financial assistance for the island. Rivera has recently been a vocal advocate for increased Medicare and Medicaid funding to Puerto Rico.
More here
CLOSING
Salisbury & Willards Senior Centers Closed Monday, January 25.
All Staff Report @ Normal Time
All Staff Report @ Normal Time
Malheur SITREP: 2200L 23 JAN 2016
– An estimated 200 federal vehicles are in the town of Burns, Oregon, located at the FBI compound at the Burns Municipal Airport, hotels, and on the roads.
– Including approximately 50 vehicles at the Harney County Sheriff’s Office, we concur with yesterday’s SALUTE report that 400 or more local, state, and federal personnel are on the ground IVO the town of Burns.
– Last week, the FBI compound at the Burns Municipal Airport consisted of one modular tent, a directional microwave antenna, a “cell on wheels” antenna, and a satellite dish mounted on a communications vehicle.
– In the past several days, the FBI presence has significantly increased to three modular tents, six equipment trailers, and one to two dozen mobile light towers, in addition to dozens of additional personnel. Sources on the ground say the increase consists mostly of tactical teams, as opposed to support teams.
– Multiple sources also report that the FBI and other law enforcement demeanor has changed to “almost hostile” towards the Pacific Patriots Network.
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Sen. Dan Coats: Tighten Screening of Syrian Refugees, Create Safe Havens
While the United States is a welcoming country, our government has an obligation to protect American citizens. Top U.S. law enforcement officials have testified that there are gaps in our refugee program that terrorists can exploit. We need to ensure our refugee process is not exploited by those who are threats to the United States.
This week I voted for legislation designed to improve America’s national security by tightening up the screening of refugees from Iraq and Syria. The bill would suspend the admission of Iraqi and Syrian refugees into the United States until the nation’s top security officials can certify the integrity of background checks and declare that each refugee does not pose a threat to the United States.
The legislation, which previously passed the House of Representatives, failed 55 to 43, with sixty votes necessary for passage. I am disappointed that Senate Democrats blocked this common-sense measure to keep Americans safe.
Ultimately the debate about bringing Syrian refugees into the United States – whether it be the current 2,000, the Obama Administration's proposed 10,000 or potentially even more – fails to address the main issue.
Even if the United States were to admit 100,000 refugees, it still would be only a tiny fraction of the people displaced by the crisis in Syria. The only reasonable solution to dealing with this humanitarian crisis is to create conditions in and near Syria that will permit people to safely remain near their home country.
This will require the United States, our allies and other cooperating international powers to create areas in Syria where Syrians can find safety from attack. Safe havens should be set up along the borders of Turkey, Iraq and Jordan. This will require both no-fly zones and strategic military activity by the United States and our allied partners. We also need a massive commitment from the world community to set up, fund and manage safe areas with sanitation, health care, food, housing and schools in neighboring countries.
(Source)
This week I voted for legislation designed to improve America’s national security by tightening up the screening of refugees from Iraq and Syria. The bill would suspend the admission of Iraqi and Syrian refugees into the United States until the nation’s top security officials can certify the integrity of background checks and declare that each refugee does not pose a threat to the United States.
The legislation, which previously passed the House of Representatives, failed 55 to 43, with sixty votes necessary for passage. I am disappointed that Senate Democrats blocked this common-sense measure to keep Americans safe.
Ultimately the debate about bringing Syrian refugees into the United States – whether it be the current 2,000, the Obama Administration's proposed 10,000 or potentially even more – fails to address the main issue.
Even if the United States were to admit 100,000 refugees, it still would be only a tiny fraction of the people displaced by the crisis in Syria. The only reasonable solution to dealing with this humanitarian crisis is to create conditions in and near Syria that will permit people to safely remain near their home country.
This will require the United States, our allies and other cooperating international powers to create areas in Syria where Syrians can find safety from attack. Safe havens should be set up along the borders of Turkey, Iraq and Jordan. This will require both no-fly zones and strategic military activity by the United States and our allied partners. We also need a massive commitment from the world community to set up, fund and manage safe areas with sanitation, health care, food, housing and schools in neighboring countries.
(Source)
Maryland Veto Debate Highlights Absence of Research on Marijuana-Impaired Driving
(WASHINGTON) — Maryland state legislators voted today to override legislation vetoed by Gov. Larry Hogan decriminalizing the possession of marijuana including its consumption or smoking while driving. In response, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) President and CEO Craig Wolf pointed out that this action underscores the need for clear and scientifically-based assessment protocols for law enforcement to use in eliminating marijuana-impaired driving.
“WSWA worked to secure passage for provisions in the recently passed, bipartisan federal highway bill to help define such standards and set in place government action to arm law enforcement with the same measurement guidelines—based on sound science—that have been used for decades to address driving under the influence of alcohol,” Wolf said.
The Maryland law, SB 517, upheld by today’s veto override, effectively deleted language previously in state law that read “A person may not use marijuana in a motor vehicle on a highway.” State law enforcement officials had raised concerns that the deletion of this provision would effectively legalize marijuana consumption while driving and eliminate law enforcement’s probable cause protections.
“Public safety experts are unanimous in the belief that marijuana consumption negatively impacts the ability to drive a car, however, there is currently no scientific consensus regarding the level at which marijuana consumption impairs a driver and no effective way to measure this impairment in the field. The debate over SB517 highlighted this problem,” Wolf added.
While WSWA is neutral on the issue of marijuana legalization, the association is committed to providing lawmakers with the information they need to address the growing threat of driving under the influence of drugs. Colorado law enforcement officials have documented a 100 percent increase in traffic fatalities in which drivers tested positive for marijuana since it was legalized in that state.
WSWA has worked to educate governors and attorneys general about the need to address these concerns and the need to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to beverage alcohol—a system that has proven effective in the eight decades since Prohibition was repealed.
Click here to read a detailed press release on the WSWA-supported provisions regarding drug-impaired driving included in the federal highway bill.
WSWA is the national trade association representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry, dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of wholesalers, distributors and brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has 362 member companies in 50 states and the District of Columbia and its members distribute more than 80 percent of all wine and spirits sold at wholesale in the United States. More information is available at www.wswa.org.
“WSWA worked to secure passage for provisions in the recently passed, bipartisan federal highway bill to help define such standards and set in place government action to arm law enforcement with the same measurement guidelines—based on sound science—that have been used for decades to address driving under the influence of alcohol,” Wolf said.
The Maryland law, SB 517, upheld by today’s veto override, effectively deleted language previously in state law that read “A person may not use marijuana in a motor vehicle on a highway.” State law enforcement officials had raised concerns that the deletion of this provision would effectively legalize marijuana consumption while driving and eliminate law enforcement’s probable cause protections.
“Public safety experts are unanimous in the belief that marijuana consumption negatively impacts the ability to drive a car, however, there is currently no scientific consensus regarding the level at which marijuana consumption impairs a driver and no effective way to measure this impairment in the field. The debate over SB517 highlighted this problem,” Wolf added.
While WSWA is neutral on the issue of marijuana legalization, the association is committed to providing lawmakers with the information they need to address the growing threat of driving under the influence of drugs. Colorado law enforcement officials have documented a 100 percent increase in traffic fatalities in which drivers tested positive for marijuana since it was legalized in that state.
WSWA has worked to educate governors and attorneys general about the need to address these concerns and the need to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to beverage alcohol—a system that has proven effective in the eight decades since Prohibition was repealed.
Click here to read a detailed press release on the WSWA-supported provisions regarding drug-impaired driving included in the federal highway bill.
WSWA is the national trade association representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry, dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of wholesalers, distributors and brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has 362 member companies in 50 states and the District of Columbia and its members distribute more than 80 percent of all wine and spirits sold at wholesale in the United States. More information is available at www.wswa.org.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Troopers Continue to Urge Caution During Winter Storm
Dover, DE - The following is an update of traffic incidents investigated by the Delaware State Police as of 4:00 p.m. today, Sunday, January 24, 2016.
Troopers have responded to a total of 178 property damage collisions, 22 personal injury collisions, 354 disabled vehicles, and 88 traffic hazards statewide.
The following roadways have been closed due to being snow covered or flooded:
Sussex County
Delaware Rt. 1 has been re-opened between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach. No additional road closures have been reported.
Troopers have responded to a total of 178 property damage collisions, 22 personal injury collisions, 354 disabled vehicles, and 88 traffic hazards statewide.
The following roadways have been closed due to being snow covered or flooded:
Sussex County
Delaware Rt. 1 has been re-opened between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach. No additional road closures have been reported.
Gold Alert Issued for Missing Long Neck Teen: UPDATE
Long Neck, DE - The Delaware State Police are issuing a Gold Alert for Caleb Winter, 14, of Long Neck, Delaware.
Troopers are looking for Caleb Winter who hasn’t been heard from since approximately 2:45 p.m. this afternoon, Sunday, January 24, 2016, after he left his residence in the Rehoboth Shores development in Long Neck, DE.
There is a concern for Winter's safety and welfare as troopers have been unable to make contact with him to check on his welfare and attempts to locate him have been unsuccessful.
Caleb Winter is described as a white male. He is 4’08” tall, weighs 105 lbs., and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black and blue camouflage jacket and grey sweatpants.
If anyone has any information in reference to the whereabouts of Caleb Winter, they are asked to contact Troop 7 at 302-644-5020. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
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