So many people have fallen sick with influenza in California that pharmacies have run out of flu medicines, emergency rooms are packed, and the death toll is rising higher than in previous years.
Health officials said Friday that 27 people younger than 65 have died of the flu in California since October, compared with three at the same time last year. Nationwide and in California, flu activity spiked sharply in late December and continues to grow.
The emergency room at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica typically treats about 140 patients a day, but at least one day this week had more than 200 patients — mostly because of the flu, said the ER’s medical director, Dr. Wally Ghurabi.
“The Northridge earthquake was the last time we saw over 200 patients,” Ghurabi said.
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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
Tuesday, January 09, 2018
Why this Irish American proudly voted for Donald Trump on November 8th
Early on the morning of November 8, there were two men on my mind, my father and my brand new grandson.
My father, Michael J. Dowd, was a proud son of Clare, raised in the tiny village of Fanore looking at the Burren out the front door and the Atlantic Ocean in back.
He emigrated to the United States in 1915, joined the army in exchange for his U.S. citizenship, and settled in Washington, D.C. after he fought for his adopted country in World War I.
He joined the Metropolitan police force in 1919 and quickly rose through the ranks in the detective bureau. In 1946, he was promoted to the rank of captain and assigned to the U.S. Capitol where he was in charge of the security for the U.S. Senate. Over the next twelve years, he would become arguably one of the most powerful lawmen in the country, consiglieri and friend to the 96 U.S. Senators.
He was also a lifelong Democrat. The party was the natural home for immigrants, the poor, ethnic groups, the middle class workers who built the country.
He was also a strict Catholic.
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My father, Michael J. Dowd, was a proud son of Clare, raised in the tiny village of Fanore looking at the Burren out the front door and the Atlantic Ocean in back.
He emigrated to the United States in 1915, joined the army in exchange for his U.S. citizenship, and settled in Washington, D.C. after he fought for his adopted country in World War I.
He joined the Metropolitan police force in 1919 and quickly rose through the ranks in the detective bureau. In 1946, he was promoted to the rank of captain and assigned to the U.S. Capitol where he was in charge of the security for the U.S. Senate. Over the next twelve years, he would become arguably one of the most powerful lawmen in the country, consiglieri and friend to the 96 U.S. Senators.
He was also a lifelong Democrat. The party was the natural home for immigrants, the poor, ethnic groups, the middle class workers who built the country.
He was also a strict Catholic.
More
Two More Individuals Charged with Voter Fraud in 2016 Election
Kansas Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Kris Kobach has filed two more criminal complaints against individuals he says committed voter fraud during the 2016 general election.
This week, Que J. Fulmer and Bailey Ann McCaughey were charged with voter fraud violations, with Kobach saying, “These prosecutions will help deter voter fraud in the future” of the criminal complaints.
According to Kobach, Fulmer was charged with two counts of voting without being qualified, one count of voting more than once, and one count of advance voting unlawful acts.
Fulmer allegedly double-voted in both Hamilton County, Kansas, as well as in the state of Colorado during the 2016 general election.
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This week, Que J. Fulmer and Bailey Ann McCaughey were charged with voter fraud violations, with Kobach saying, “These prosecutions will help deter voter fraud in the future” of the criminal complaints.
According to Kobach, Fulmer was charged with two counts of voting without being qualified, one count of voting more than once, and one count of advance voting unlawful acts.
Fulmer allegedly double-voted in both Hamilton County, Kansas, as well as in the state of Colorado during the 2016 general election.
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Monday, January 08, 2018
Antifa Organizer Must Pay $11,000 for Filing Frivolous Restraining Order
A court in California has ordered Antifa organizer Yvette Felarca to pay $11,000 after she filed a frivolous restraining order against former Berkeley College Republicans President Troy Worden.
In 2017, Antifa organizer Yvette Felarca filed a restraining order against former UC Berkeley College Republican president Troy Worden, citing two alleged incidents of harassment. Worden’s attorney alleges that Felarca made up two false accusations of harassment against him. He claims that Felarca used two incidents in which Worden made eye contact with her on campus as a basis for the restraining order.
Now, a California court has ordered Felarca to pay a $11,000 fine for filing a frivolous lawsuit. The funds will go directly to covering Worden’s attorney fees. In a press release, attorney Harmeet Dhillon suggested that the fine signals that Antifa can’t use the courts to silence their political opponents.
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In 2017, Antifa organizer Yvette Felarca filed a restraining order against former UC Berkeley College Republican president Troy Worden, citing two alleged incidents of harassment. Worden’s attorney alleges that Felarca made up two false accusations of harassment against him. He claims that Felarca used two incidents in which Worden made eye contact with her on campus as a basis for the restraining order.
Now, a California court has ordered Felarca to pay a $11,000 fine for filing a frivolous lawsuit. The funds will go directly to covering Worden’s attorney fees. In a press release, attorney Harmeet Dhillon suggested that the fine signals that Antifa can’t use the courts to silence their political opponents.
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Americans Are Ditching These Five States In Record Numbers
Apparently surging violent crime, massive tax hikes and insolvent public pensions are bad for attracting new residents...who knew? On the other hand, 364 days of sunshine per year, minimal crime, brand new infrastructure and some of the lowest tax rates in the country seems to be, to our complete shock, somewhat appealing to folks looking to relocate.
But that is just a couple of many interesting takeaways to be gleaned from the latest annual "U.S. Migration Report" from North American Moving Services which found that Illinois was the most ditched state in 2017.
A quick review of the data above, combined with the more comprehensive domestic migration map below, reveals a few other interesting themes:
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But that is just a couple of many interesting takeaways to be gleaned from the latest annual "U.S. Migration Report" from North American Moving Services which found that Illinois was the most ditched state in 2017.
A quick review of the data above, combined with the more comprehensive domestic migration map below, reveals a few other interesting themes:
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Ship carrying 4,000 passengers left 'traumatized'
Passengers aboard a luxury cruise liner returning from the Caribbean say they are lucky to be alive after their ship was nearly demolished by a ferocious winter storm.
Recounting their harrowing experience was the Ross family, of Stony Brook, New York, who spoke with CBS News on Friday.
'I thought I'd never be in a situation where I would say that's the scariest moment of my life,' said Karoline Ross. 'This was the worst moment of my life.'
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Recounting their harrowing experience was the Ross family, of Stony Brook, New York, who spoke with CBS News on Friday.
'I thought I'd never be in a situation where I would say that's the scariest moment of my life,' said Karoline Ross. 'This was the worst moment of my life.'
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Swedish Policeman: We've Lost Control & Don't Realize Gravity Of Situation
Massive migrant crime wave overwhelming authorities
Recently, Swedish journalist Katerina Janouch interviewed the Swedish policeman Peter Springare, who in 2017 made headlines in Sweden, when he posted on the current state of the kingdom on Facebook.
In a longer interview he now admits that he is even more worried, that mayhem in fact is coming, and that people in general have no idea what will hit them.
What do we see is happening in Sweden now?
– I am deeply concerned about the development. And I’m wondering how far it must go before people in decision-making positions and politicians wake up and see where we are heading.
One continues to put the head in the sand. In Helsingborg, but also here in Örebro, one goes out and say we have full control.
Read more
Recently, Swedish journalist Katerina Janouch interviewed the Swedish policeman Peter Springare, who in 2017 made headlines in Sweden, when he posted on the current state of the kingdom on Facebook.
In a longer interview he now admits that he is even more worried, that mayhem in fact is coming, and that people in general have no idea what will hit them.
What do we see is happening in Sweden now?
– I am deeply concerned about the development. And I’m wondering how far it must go before people in decision-making positions and politicians wake up and see where we are heading.
One continues to put the head in the sand. In Helsingborg, but also here in Örebro, one goes out and say we have full control.
Read more
Report: The World Is Swimming in a Record $233 Trillion of Debt
Joe Ciolli writes at Business Insider that a new report claims worldwide debt climbed to a new record in 2017:
Global debt soared to a record $233 trillion in the third quarter of 2017, according to a report from the Institute of International Finance.
That marked a $16.5 trillion — or 8% — increase from the end of 2016. It also reflected record highs for private nonfinancial sector debt in Canada, France, Hong Kong, Korea, Switzerland, and Turkey.
One possible side effect of this massive debt burden could be a reluctance from central banks to tighten lending conditions, the IIF says. It points out in the report that because a prolonged low-interest-rate environment contributed to the swelling of debt levels, sovereign banks may be reluctant to rock the boat by hiking.
Read the rest of the story at Business Insider.
Global debt soared to a record $233 trillion in the third quarter of 2017, according to a report from the Institute of International Finance.
That marked a $16.5 trillion — or 8% — increase from the end of 2016. It also reflected record highs for private nonfinancial sector debt in Canada, France, Hong Kong, Korea, Switzerland, and Turkey.
One possible side effect of this massive debt burden could be a reluctance from central banks to tighten lending conditions, the IIF says. It points out in the report that because a prolonged low-interest-rate environment contributed to the swelling of debt levels, sovereign banks may be reluctant to rock the boat by hiking.
Read the rest of the story at Business Insider.
Married police chief, 40, accused of seeking sex from agent posing as girl, 14
A married small-town Pennsylvania police chief was arrested Friday and accused of trying to solicit sex online from an undercover agent posing as a 14-year-old girl.
The state attorney general's office said Leechburg Police Chief Michael Diebold, 40, was arrested at a spot in Westmoreland County where he thought he had made plans to meet the girl.
Diebold is charged with unlawful contact with a minor and criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, both felonies.
"This case is particularly heinous because the perpetrator is a public official, sworn to serve and protect the community," Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a statement. "We have a zero tolerance policy for the sexual abuse of children and my office will prosecute any offender to the fullest extent of the law, no matter who they are."
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The state attorney general's office said Leechburg Police Chief Michael Diebold, 40, was arrested at a spot in Westmoreland County where he thought he had made plans to meet the girl.
Diebold is charged with unlawful contact with a minor and criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, both felonies.
"This case is particularly heinous because the perpetrator is a public official, sworn to serve and protect the community," Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a statement. "We have a zero tolerance policy for the sexual abuse of children and my office will prosecute any offender to the fullest extent of the law, no matter who they are."
More
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/06/married-police-chief-40-accused-seeking-sex-from-agent-posing-as-girl-14.html
'War between the Jews and the non-Jews' says Kissinger
Henry Kissinger has said it's an all-out war in the White House of President Donald Trump.
'It is a war between the Jews and the non-Jews,' Kissinger, the former Secretary of State and National Security Adviser to presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, told Michael Wolff for his book 'Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House'.
It appears that the remark was an attempt to characterize the clash between former Trump chief adviser Steve Bannon on one side, and Jewish Trump family members Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump on the other.
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'It is a war between the Jews and the non-Jews,' Kissinger, the former Secretary of State and National Security Adviser to presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, told Michael Wolff for his book 'Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House'.
It appears that the remark was an attempt to characterize the clash between former Trump chief adviser Steve Bannon on one side, and Jewish Trump family members Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump on the other.
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House Committee Receives Fusion GPS’s Bank Records
The bank for Fusion GPS gave the House Intelligence Committee dozens of the opposition research firm’s financial records on Friday, a federal judge said.
The exchange puts an end to a dramatic court fight over the Trump dossier firm’s bank records, which the House panel sought through a subpoena issued in October.
Judge Richard Leon on Thursday ruled against Fusion GPS which had asked for a temporary restraining order to prevent its bank, TD Bank, from complying with the committee’s subpoena.
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The exchange puts an end to a dramatic court fight over the Trump dossier firm’s bank records, which the House panel sought through a subpoena issued in October.
Judge Richard Leon on Thursday ruled against Fusion GPS which had asked for a temporary restraining order to prevent its bank, TD Bank, from complying with the committee’s subpoena.
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Lies We Tell Ourselves
Seven of my soldiers are dead. Two committed suicide. Bombs got the others in Iraq and Afghanistan. One young man lost three limbs. Another is paralyzed. I entered West Point a couple of months before 9/11. Eight of my classmates died “over there.”
Military service, war, sacrifice - when I was 17, I felt sure this would bring me meaning, adulation, even glory. It went another way.
Sixteen years later, my generation of soldiers is still ensnared in an indecisive, unfulfilling series of losing wars: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Niger—who even keeps count anymore? Sometimes, I allow myself to wonder what it’s all been for.
I find it hard to believe I’m the only one who sees it. Nonetheless, you hear few dissenting voices among the veterans of the “global war on terror.” See, soldiers are all “professionals” now, at least since Richard Nixon ditched the draft in 1973. Mostly the troops—especially the officers—uphold an unwritten code, speak in esoteric vernacular and hide behind a veil of reticence. It’s a camouflage wall as thick as the “blue line” of police silence. Maybe it’s necessary to keep the machine running. I used to believe that. Sometimes, though, we tell you lies. Don’t take it personally: We tell them to each other and ourselves as well.
Consider just three:
1. Soldiers don’t fight (or die) for king, country or apple pie. They do it for each other, for teammates and friends. Think Henry V’s “band of brothers.” In that sense, the troops can never be said to die for nothing.
No disrespect to the fallen, but this framework is problematic and a slippery-slope formula for forever war. Imagine the dangerous inverse of this logic: If no soldiers’ lives can be wasted, no matter how unmerited or ill-advised the war, then the mere presence of U.S. “warriors” and deaths of American troopers justifies any war, all war. That’s intellectually lazy. Two things can, in fact, be true at once: American servicemen can die for no good reason and may well have fought hard and honorably with/for their mates. The one does not preclude the other.
Unfortunately, it seems Americans are in for (at least) three more years of this increasingly bellicose—and perilous—rhetoric. We saw it when Sean Spicer, President Trump’s former press secretary, had the gall to declare that questioning the success of a botched January raid in Yemen “does a disservice” to the Navy SEAL killed in the firefight. It got worse from there. Trump tweeted that a certain senator—Vietnam veteran John McCain, of all people—who talked about “the success or failure of the mission” to the media had “emboldened the enemy.” According to this fabled logic, Chief Petty Officer William “Ryan” Owens died for his brothers-in-arms, and thus to even ponderthe “what-for” is tantamount to abetting the enemy.
More
Military service, war, sacrifice - when I was 17, I felt sure this would bring me meaning, adulation, even glory. It went another way.
Sixteen years later, my generation of soldiers is still ensnared in an indecisive, unfulfilling series of losing wars: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Niger—who even keeps count anymore? Sometimes, I allow myself to wonder what it’s all been for.
I find it hard to believe I’m the only one who sees it. Nonetheless, you hear few dissenting voices among the veterans of the “global war on terror.” See, soldiers are all “professionals” now, at least since Richard Nixon ditched the draft in 1973. Mostly the troops—especially the officers—uphold an unwritten code, speak in esoteric vernacular and hide behind a veil of reticence. It’s a camouflage wall as thick as the “blue line” of police silence. Maybe it’s necessary to keep the machine running. I used to believe that. Sometimes, though, we tell you lies. Don’t take it personally: We tell them to each other and ourselves as well.
Consider just three:
1. Soldiers don’t fight (or die) for king, country or apple pie. They do it for each other, for teammates and friends. Think Henry V’s “band of brothers.” In that sense, the troops can never be said to die for nothing.
No disrespect to the fallen, but this framework is problematic and a slippery-slope formula for forever war. Imagine the dangerous inverse of this logic: If no soldiers’ lives can be wasted, no matter how unmerited or ill-advised the war, then the mere presence of U.S. “warriors” and deaths of American troopers justifies any war, all war. That’s intellectually lazy. Two things can, in fact, be true at once: American servicemen can die for no good reason and may well have fought hard and honorably with/for their mates. The one does not preclude the other.
Unfortunately, it seems Americans are in for (at least) three more years of this increasingly bellicose—and perilous—rhetoric. We saw it when Sean Spicer, President Trump’s former press secretary, had the gall to declare that questioning the success of a botched January raid in Yemen “does a disservice” to the Navy SEAL killed in the firefight. It got worse from there. Trump tweeted that a certain senator—Vietnam veteran John McCain, of all people—who talked about “the success or failure of the mission” to the media had “emboldened the enemy.” According to this fabled logic, Chief Petty Officer William “Ryan” Owens died for his brothers-in-arms, and thus to even ponderthe “what-for” is tantamount to abetting the enemy.
More
BREAKING NEWS: Worcester Economic Development Director Resigns
Federal Investigators Couldn’t Illegally Buy Guns Through Legitimate Websites Despite 72 Attempts
Agents posing as criminals couldn't get anyone to sell them guns on legitimate internet marketplaces
Federal agents posing as criminals were unable to purchase any firearms from legitimate online marketplaces despite dozens of attempts over a two-year period.
Between July 2015 and November 2017 investigators from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), following up on a congressional request, tried to make the illegal private gun purchases through a number of online forums and market places. They made 72 attempts over that time but couldn't complete a single sale using legitimate sites.
In 29 attempts the gun sellers refused the sale after being asked to illegally ship the gun to the buyer. Twenty-seven sellers refused after being told the potential buyer was a felon, domestic abuser, or otherwise prohibited from buying a firearm. Eleven sellers attempted to scam the investigators after finding out they were prohibited from buying firearms with two successfully obtaining money from investigators but never sending the promised firearm. Another five attempts to illegally purchase firearms were ended when the investigators' accounts were shut down due to suspicious activity.
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Federal agents posing as criminals were unable to purchase any firearms from legitimate online marketplaces despite dozens of attempts over a two-year period.
Between July 2015 and November 2017 investigators from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), following up on a congressional request, tried to make the illegal private gun purchases through a number of online forums and market places. They made 72 attempts over that time but couldn't complete a single sale using legitimate sites.
In 29 attempts the gun sellers refused the sale after being asked to illegally ship the gun to the buyer. Twenty-seven sellers refused after being told the potential buyer was a felon, domestic abuser, or otherwise prohibited from buying a firearm. Eleven sellers attempted to scam the investigators after finding out they were prohibited from buying firearms with two successfully obtaining money from investigators but never sending the promised firearm. Another five attempts to illegally purchase firearms were ended when the investigators' accounts were shut down due to suspicious activity.
More
Danes Consider Mandatory Curfew for Youths in Migrant Populated Ghettos
The populist Danish People’s Party (DF) has suggested the government consider a mandatory curfew for under 18s in migrant ghetto areas in order to prevent disorder and delinquency.
The DF has proposed that all children below the age of 18 living in the ghetto areas should be required to be off the streets no later than 8 pm every night. DF MP Martin Henriksen argued that children should not be allowed outside on their own in areas that were prone to criminality, both for their own safety and to make sure they do not get caught up in criminality themselves, Jylland Posten reports.
“Young people, for example, 10, 11 or 12 years old, should not run around in the late evening hours if they live in an area where there is crime and insecurity,” Henriksen said.
“It is important that they are at home with their family instead of being out with criminal elements that can affect them in a negative direction,” he added.
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The DF has proposed that all children below the age of 18 living in the ghetto areas should be required to be off the streets no later than 8 pm every night. DF MP Martin Henriksen argued that children should not be allowed outside on their own in areas that were prone to criminality, both for their own safety and to make sure they do not get caught up in criminality themselves, Jylland Posten reports.
“Young people, for example, 10, 11 or 12 years old, should not run around in the late evening hours if they live in an area where there is crime and insecurity,” Henriksen said.
“It is important that they are at home with their family instead of being out with criminal elements that can affect them in a negative direction,” he added.
More
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