OCEAN CITY — Ocean City’s prohibition on food trucks got a unique challenge last week, and after considerable debate, resort planners gave tacit approval to a request for a hybrid of sorts at a historic downtown amusement park.
As the popularity of food trucks has grown in recent years, Ocean City officials have continually opposed the mobile, pop-up eateries for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, a mobile food truck offering all manner of wares could set up shop in the vicinity of traditional restaurants along the Boardwalk or virtually anywhere else in the resort. The idea is mobile food trucks could have an unfair advantage with traditional businesses that pay high rents, property taxes, business licenses and other expenses along with restrooms and public facilities.
To date, the town’s prohibition on food trucks has been largely unchallenged, save for the occasional request from a special event promoter, for good reason. However, the planning commission last week got a first look at a rather unique request from Trimper’s Rides to place a semi-permanent food trailer on the grounds of the historic amusement park at the foot of the Boardwalk.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, January 27, 2018
OC Vows To Defend Topless Law
OCEAN CITY — Less than a week after a local woman filed suit in U.S. District Court challenging Ocean City’s ordinance prohibiting women to go topless in the same public areas where men go shirtless, resort officials this week announced they were prepared to go to battle over the issue.
Last June, amid a backlash from concerned residents and visitors over the potential for Ocean City to allow women to go topless on its beaches and Boardwalk, for example, the Mayor and Council passed an emergency ordinance prohibiting the practice. The ordinance was passed in response to a request from local resident Chelsea Eline seeking clarification from the town, the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office and ultimately the Maryland Attorney General on the legality of female bare-chestedness in the same areas in which men can be shirtless.
On Jan. 16, Eline and four other named plaintiffs, through noted civil rights attorney Devon Jacob, filed suit in U.S. District Court, challenging the emergency ordinance passed by the Mayor and Council last June. The suit came as no surprise after Eline, then known as Chelsea Covington, retained Jacobs’ service after the town’s ordinance was passed early last summer.
This week, however, Mayor Rick Meehan said in a statement the town was prepared to defend the challenge to its ordinance filed in federal court and would take any legal steps necessary to prevent its beaches and other public areas from becoming acceptable topless areas for females, evoking the town’s oft-repeated family resort image.
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Last June, amid a backlash from concerned residents and visitors over the potential for Ocean City to allow women to go topless on its beaches and Boardwalk, for example, the Mayor and Council passed an emergency ordinance prohibiting the practice. The ordinance was passed in response to a request from local resident Chelsea Eline seeking clarification from the town, the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office and ultimately the Maryland Attorney General on the legality of female bare-chestedness in the same areas in which men can be shirtless.
On Jan. 16, Eline and four other named plaintiffs, through noted civil rights attorney Devon Jacob, filed suit in U.S. District Court, challenging the emergency ordinance passed by the Mayor and Council last June. The suit came as no surprise after Eline, then known as Chelsea Covington, retained Jacobs’ service after the town’s ordinance was passed early last summer.
This week, however, Mayor Rick Meehan said in a statement the town was prepared to defend the challenge to its ordinance filed in federal court and would take any legal steps necessary to prevent its beaches and other public areas from becoming acceptable topless areas for females, evoking the town’s oft-repeated family resort image.
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County Commission’s Sewer Capacity Rejections Questioned; Campground Expansion, New Project Derailed
BERLIN – In recent months, Worcester County officials have denied two major requests for sewer capacity in West Ocean City.
The requests come less than four years after the $12.8 million expansion of the area’s Mystic Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant.
While some might say they’re stifling growth, county officials say they’re ensuring sewer capacity remains available for existing homes and businesses.
“It’s a valuable resource and we recognize it’s a valuable resource and one the county commissioners should allocate carefully so Worcester County grows in the manner envisioned for Worcester County,” said Kelly Shannahan, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer.
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The requests come less than four years after the $12.8 million expansion of the area’s Mystic Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant.
While some might say they’re stifling growth, county officials say they’re ensuring sewer capacity remains available for existing homes and businesses.
“It’s a valuable resource and we recognize it’s a valuable resource and one the county commissioners should allocate carefully so Worcester County grows in the manner envisioned for Worcester County,” said Kelly Shannahan, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer.
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FDA Panel Gives Qualified Support To Claims For 'Safer' Smoking Device
A tobacco product that its maker claims to be safer than cigarettes won qualified support from a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel Thursday.
The advisers voted 8-1 to support cigarette giant Philip Morris' claim that its "iQOS"system "significantly reduces your body's exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals." The device heats tobacco but doesn't ignite it.
But on the question of whether that approach translates into a reduction in the risk for tobacco-related diseases, the panel said the tobacco company's studies didn't demonstrate that. The vote was eight against, with one abstention.
Similarly, they said Philip Morris hadn't proved that reducing harmful exposure would necessarily "translate to a measurable and substantial reduction in morbidity and/or mortality." The vote was 5-2 against, with one abstention.
There was some support for the company's claims that "switching completely to iQOS presents less risk of harm than continuing to smoke cigarettes." But the measure failed on a vote of 4-5 against.
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The advisers voted 8-1 to support cigarette giant Philip Morris' claim that its "iQOS"system "significantly reduces your body's exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals." The device heats tobacco but doesn't ignite it.
But on the question of whether that approach translates into a reduction in the risk for tobacco-related diseases, the panel said the tobacco company's studies didn't demonstrate that. The vote was eight against, with one abstention.
Similarly, they said Philip Morris hadn't proved that reducing harmful exposure would necessarily "translate to a measurable and substantial reduction in morbidity and/or mortality." The vote was 5-2 against, with one abstention.
There was some support for the company's claims that "switching completely to iQOS presents less risk of harm than continuing to smoke cigarettes." But the measure failed on a vote of 4-5 against.
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How To Teach Mosquitoes To Leave You Alone
Human skin is a cornucopia of fragrances.
The bacteria living on our skin emit more than 200 odor chemicals.
"Many of these molecules smell quite pleasant," says biologist Jeff Riffell at the University of Washington. "They smell grassy or a little bit like mushrooms. Some human scents are the same ones found in flowers."
Other chemicals — well — they aren't so nice. "They're pretty funky," Riffell says, like an overripe Brie cheese or a musty basement.
But mosquitoes don't care if we are stinky. They love human smells! Mosquitoes actually learn human scents and then seek them out, Riffell says.
In fact, it's your unique mixture of odors that determines how many mosquito bites you get, Riffell says — although scientists don't know exactly which combination is most alluring. Some people's perfume is just irresistible to skeeters.
"Some people are super-attractors for mosquitoes," Riffell says, "while other people aren't attractive at all, and the mosquitoes will avoid them."
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The bacteria living on our skin emit more than 200 odor chemicals.
"Many of these molecules smell quite pleasant," says biologist Jeff Riffell at the University of Washington. "They smell grassy or a little bit like mushrooms. Some human scents are the same ones found in flowers."
Other chemicals — well — they aren't so nice. "They're pretty funky," Riffell says, like an overripe Brie cheese or a musty basement.
But mosquitoes don't care if we are stinky. They love human smells! Mosquitoes actually learn human scents and then seek them out, Riffell says.
In fact, it's your unique mixture of odors that determines how many mosquito bites you get, Riffell says — although scientists don't know exactly which combination is most alluring. Some people's perfume is just irresistible to skeeters.
"Some people are super-attractors for mosquitoes," Riffell says, "while other people aren't attractive at all, and the mosquitoes will avoid them."
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Trump to announce $1.7 trillion infrastructure package at State of the Union
President Trump said Wednesday he plans to discuss a $1.7 trillion infrastructure package during next week's annual State of the Union address.
During a White House meeting with mayors from across the country, Trump said his administration is "working to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure by stimulating a $1 trillion investment, and that will actually, probably, end up being about $1.7 trillion."
“And we'll probably be putting that in a week or two, right after the State of the Union address. We'll be talking about it a little bit in the State of the Union; we'll put that in," he added.
The impending announcement comes after a document purporting to detail the administration's infrastructure principles leaked earlier this week.
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During a White House meeting with mayors from across the country, Trump said his administration is "working to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure by stimulating a $1 trillion investment, and that will actually, probably, end up being about $1.7 trillion."
“And we'll probably be putting that in a week or two, right after the State of the Union address. We'll be talking about it a little bit in the State of the Union; we'll put that in," he added.
The impending announcement comes after a document purporting to detail the administration's infrastructure principles leaked earlier this week.
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Vermont High School to fly Black Lives Matter Flag
A Vermont high school has announced that it will fly the Black Lives Matter (BLM) flag during Black History Month, though many feel it is a domestic terror outfit.
Administrators at Montpelier High School in Montpelier, Vermont, bowed to demands by a student group called the Racial Justice Alliance to hoist the BLM flag outside the school during the month-long recognition of the contributions of African Americans to our nation’s history, the Burlington Free Press reported.
“Vermont has a long history of being at the forefront of civil rights movements,” school administrators said in a public statement. “Our state was the first to abolish slavery in its constitution and the first to enroll and graduate a black student, who subsequently served in the state legislature. The School Board’s decision to fly a Black Lives Matter flag builds on that legacy.”
The student group demanded that the school launch a program to discuss “the need for racial justice.” Students also praised the school for changing curriculum and re-training teachers for a social justice agenda.
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Administrators at Montpelier High School in Montpelier, Vermont, bowed to demands by a student group called the Racial Justice Alliance to hoist the BLM flag outside the school during the month-long recognition of the contributions of African Americans to our nation’s history, the Burlington Free Press reported.
“Vermont has a long history of being at the forefront of civil rights movements,” school administrators said in a public statement. “Our state was the first to abolish slavery in its constitution and the first to enroll and graduate a black student, who subsequently served in the state legislature. The School Board’s decision to fly a Black Lives Matter flag builds on that legacy.”
The student group demanded that the school launch a program to discuss “the need for racial justice.” Students also praised the school for changing curriculum and re-training teachers for a social justice agenda.
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More Vehicles Repossessed From Onley Fire Department
Trump Reportedly Ordered Mueller Fired, But Backed Away
In the latest reminder of the contentious relationship between President Trump and the man who is probing him for "Russian collusion"obstruction, Special Counsel Mueller, the NYT reports that according to four sources, Trump ordered the firing of Mueller last June, however - since Mueller is still clearly employed - the president backed off after White House Counsel Don McGahn threatened to resign rather than carry out the directive.
And as has always been the case with this particular set of FBI or NSA sources, the WaPo was right there behind the NYT, to confirm the latest Trump leak:
This is notable because "the West Wing confrontation marks the first time Mr. Trump is known to have tried to fire the special counsel" and "Mueller learned about the episode in recent months as his investigators interviewed current and former senior White House officials in his inquiry into whether the president obstructed justice."
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And as has always been the case with this particular set of FBI or NSA sources, the WaPo was right there behind the NYT, to confirm the latest Trump leak:
Confirmed that Trump wanted Mueller fired, as NYT first reported, w/@PostRoz. Story coming soon.
This is notable because "the West Wing confrontation marks the first time Mr. Trump is known to have tried to fire the special counsel" and "Mueller learned about the episode in recent months as his investigators interviewed current and former senior White House officials in his inquiry into whether the president obstructed justice."
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How are the cold and flu different?
Knowing the difference between the common cold and the flu can be crucial to your well-being -- and that of your loved ones -- this winter.
On Jan. 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that during the 2017 to 2018 flu season, there were 30 child deaths.
There have also been reports of adults who had the flu and died from complications.
Read on for a look at the two illnesses and how you can tell them apart.
Getting down to basics
“Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone,” the CDC explains online. “In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more common and intense.”
The agency notes that special testing may be performed early on to determine which illness you may have.
There's also another point: The common cold is mainly caused by rhinoviruses, the Mayo Clinic says. The influenza virus, however, is responsible for causing the flu.
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On Jan. 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that during the 2017 to 2018 flu season, there were 30 child deaths.
There have also been reports of adults who had the flu and died from complications.
Read on for a look at the two illnesses and how you can tell them apart.
Getting down to basics
“Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone,” the CDC explains online. “In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more common and intense.”
The agency notes that special testing may be performed early on to determine which illness you may have.
There's also another point: The common cold is mainly caused by rhinoviruses, the Mayo Clinic says. The influenza virus, however, is responsible for causing the flu.
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http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/01/24/how-are-cold-and-flu-different.html
Florida woman bought BMW using dead grandparents benefits
A woman from south Florida has been found guilty of collecting her grandparents' Social Security benefits despite them being dead for years.
Myriam Etienne, 49, from Pompano Beach, pocketed $130,000 in her grandparents' Social Security benefits for more than ten years.
She used the cash to pay off the mortgage on her homse and make payments on a BMW X6 according to the Miami Herald.
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Myriam Etienne, 49, from Pompano Beach, pocketed $130,000 in her grandparents' Social Security benefits for more than ten years.
She used the cash to pay off the mortgage on her homse and make payments on a BMW X6 according to the Miami Herald.
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"Why Are They Still Here?": FBI Agents Wonder Why Anti-Trump Clinton Operatives Still Have A Job
The recently revealed text messages from Clinton operatives within the FBI that spoke about a “secret society” within the agency that met to discuss ways to take out President Trump have led many to question how those involved still have a job at the agency despite the mounting evidence of widespread corruption.
Keep in mind that it has already been revealed that top counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok, along with his mistress, FBI lawyer Lisa Page, were directly involved in a conspiracy to protect their preferred presidential candidate in Hillary Clinton while doing everything in their power to hurt her opponent, Donald Trump.
Now we know that those two, along with a slew of others within the federal government, actually continued their operation against Trump after he was democratically elected, even taking their conspiracy so far as to set up a sort of secret society which included the same key figures who helped jump start the sham Russian investigation in the first place.
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Keep in mind that it has already been revealed that top counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok, along with his mistress, FBI lawyer Lisa Page, were directly involved in a conspiracy to protect their preferred presidential candidate in Hillary Clinton while doing everything in their power to hurt her opponent, Donald Trump.
Now we know that those two, along with a slew of others within the federal government, actually continued their operation against Trump after he was democratically elected, even taking their conspiracy so far as to set up a sort of secret society which included the same key figures who helped jump start the sham Russian investigation in the first place.
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Kayak killer wants $500,000 from fiancé's estate
The 'kayak killer' who caused her fiancé to drown by pulling the plug on his canoe in 2015 is trying to win half of his life insurance policy despite being convicted for his death.
Angelika Graswald was freed from prison in December, two years after watching her 46-year-old fiancé Vincent Viafore being swept away by choppy waters on New York's Hudson River.
She pulled a drain plug out from his kayak and pushed a paddle away from him as he got into choppy waters.
Last year, the 37-year-old pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and she was sentenced to up to four years in prison.
Graswald, a Latvian immigrant, was released six weeks after her conviction based on the two-and-a-half years she spent behind bars waiting for her trial.
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Angelika Graswald was freed from prison in December, two years after watching her 46-year-old fiancé Vincent Viafore being swept away by choppy waters on New York's Hudson River.
She pulled a drain plug out from his kayak and pushed a paddle away from him as he got into choppy waters.
Last year, the 37-year-old pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and she was sentenced to up to four years in prison.
Graswald, a Latvian immigrant, was released six weeks after her conviction based on the two-and-a-half years she spent behind bars waiting for her trial.
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SOROS THREATENS: Trump 'Will Disappear In 2020 Or Even Sooner'
“We must do something to push back against what’s happening here.”
On Thursday, far-left billionaire George Soros, who is the financial backbone of the Democratic Party, attacked President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Soros, who spent millions backing failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, claimed that Trump was leading the world to nuclear war and that he is trying to establish a dictatorship in the United States, CNBC reported.
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On Thursday, far-left billionaire George Soros, who is the financial backbone of the Democratic Party, attacked President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Soros, who spent millions backing failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, claimed that Trump was leading the world to nuclear war and that he is trying to establish a dictatorship in the United States, CNBC reported.
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Is Holding in a Fart Bad for You?
Women claim to have been holding in their farts for years (my mother won't even talk about passing gas!). Guys, on the other hand, are much more likely to find it really funny to crop dust on an elevator or slip a silent killer in the middle of the room.
Even the most crass among us, however, have to admit that there are times when airbrushing the boxers is simply not appropriate. For example, it's definitely not a selling point during a job interview.
What are the consequences of holding in your fart in these instances?
Is It Harmful to Hold Your Horses?
Maybe. It is not very likely to cause any actual damage, but it is likely to be uncomfortable.
We've all done it at some point. If someone did a study on gas retention during first dates as opposed to married couples watching TV at home, the difference would be staggering. But since we aren't all dead, there's some pretty good corollary evidence that keeping your methane to yourself is not life-threatening.
If you can't get rid of the gas in your gut, it can be painful, but there might be other causes of abdominal pain that are much more likely to be a problem. Bloating and distension are real complaints, but they might not have very much to do with flatulence even though it feels as if you need to fart. If you're making methane faster than you're tooting your horn, it's certainly going to put pressure on the GI tract.
The thing is, just because you feel bloated doesn't mean your abdomen is actually distended or that the amount of pressure in your intestines is at dangerous levels.
At least one study found that the perception of discomfort is higher when you choose not to let a fart go versus when there's a physical reason why you can't fire the retro rocket.
The way the gut triggers the brain to let us know we need to break wind is part of the reason this happens. The increased pressure causes the feeling of bloating and the urge to let it fly. If you're ignoring the feeling, it means you're hyper-aware that you're building a backdraft. It's the awareness that makes it so uncomfortable.
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Even the most crass among us, however, have to admit that there are times when airbrushing the boxers is simply not appropriate. For example, it's definitely not a selling point during a job interview.
What are the consequences of holding in your fart in these instances?
Is It Harmful to Hold Your Horses?
Maybe. It is not very likely to cause any actual damage, but it is likely to be uncomfortable.
We've all done it at some point. If someone did a study on gas retention during first dates as opposed to married couples watching TV at home, the difference would be staggering. But since we aren't all dead, there's some pretty good corollary evidence that keeping your methane to yourself is not life-threatening.
If you can't get rid of the gas in your gut, it can be painful, but there might be other causes of abdominal pain that are much more likely to be a problem. Bloating and distension are real complaints, but they might not have very much to do with flatulence even though it feels as if you need to fart. If you're making methane faster than you're tooting your horn, it's certainly going to put pressure on the GI tract.
The thing is, just because you feel bloated doesn't mean your abdomen is actually distended or that the amount of pressure in your intestines is at dangerous levels.
At least one study found that the perception of discomfort is higher when you choose not to let a fart go versus when there's a physical reason why you can't fire the retro rocket.
The way the gut triggers the brain to let us know we need to break wind is part of the reason this happens. The increased pressure causes the feeling of bloating and the urge to let it fly. If you're ignoring the feeling, it means you're hyper-aware that you're building a backdraft. It's the awareness that makes it so uncomfortable.
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Trump DELIVERS on Values Promises
George Barna’s recent book, The Day Christians Changed America, notes how Christian conservatives united in the 2016 election to preserve America’s past and secure her future. As the only one standing at the end the primary season, Donald Trump seemed an unlikely choice for a Republican presidential candidate. Though brash and unconventional, he also stood for the values important to Christian conservatives: the right to life and religious freedom. In the general election, Christian “Values Voters” saw a clear choice: someone who had the potential to stand for their values, and someone who absolutely opposed them. They chose to give Trump a chance.
Now, a little over a year later, President Trump continues to break convention, speak his mind and stand up for polices that conservative Christians value. Last week, Trump became the first president in history to address the crowds at the March for Life, the pro-life march that began after the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.
More here
Now, a little over a year later, President Trump continues to break convention, speak his mind and stand up for polices that conservative Christians value. Last week, Trump became the first president in history to address the crowds at the March for Life, the pro-life march that began after the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.
More here
Feinstein Blames Russia for Campaign to Release FISA Memo
In a desperate attempt to prevent the public release of a classified FISA memo that purports to show the FBI abused the surveillance program for political aims, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) sent a letter to the execs at Twitter and Facebook calling for them to investigate a supposed Russian social media effort pushing for the memo’s release. The letter states in part, “We are witnessing an ongoing attack by the Russian government through Kremlin-linked social media actors directly acting to intervene and influence our democratic process. This should be disconcerting to all Americans, but especially your companies as, once again, it appears the vast majority of their efforts are concentrated on your platforms. This latest example of Russian interference is in keeping with Moscow’s concerted, covert, and continued campaign to manipulate American public opinion and erode trust in our law enforcement and intelligence institutions.”
In other words, Feinstein has just declared that anyone who believes the FISA memo — a memo several Republican members of Congress describe as “alarming” and “disturbing” — should be released is essentially a puppet of Vladimir Putin, and that is quite simply asinine.
First off, the Russians didn’t start the #ReleaseTheMemo campaign..
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In other words, Feinstein has just declared that anyone who believes the FISA memo — a memo several Republican members of Congress describe as “alarming” and “disturbing” — should be released is essentially a puppet of Vladimir Putin, and that is quite simply asinine.
First off, the Russians didn’t start the #ReleaseTheMemo campaign..
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Cops settle case after injuring man who refused warrantless search
Officers refused to believe homeowner who said suspect wasn't in house
Deputies in a Texas county have settled a lawsuit brought against them for injuring a man who refused them permission for a warrantless search of his home after he told the officers the person they sought wasn’t there.
The deputies didn’t believe the homeowner, Huntly Dantzler, but it turned out he was right.
Before they discovered Dantzler was telling the truth, however, they handcuffed him, threw him to the ground and arrested for him refusing to give consent. The officers then coerced his wife, Susan Dantzler, to allow one of them to conduct the warrantless search.
After a judge ruled that at least some of the couple’s claims were valid and would require a trial, the deputies agreed to a settlement, the terms of which were not disclosed.
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Deputies in a Texas county have settled a lawsuit brought against them for injuring a man who refused them permission for a warrantless search of his home after he told the officers the person they sought wasn’t there.
The deputies didn’t believe the homeowner, Huntly Dantzler, but it turned out he was right.
Before they discovered Dantzler was telling the truth, however, they handcuffed him, threw him to the ground and arrested for him refusing to give consent. The officers then coerced his wife, Susan Dantzler, to allow one of them to conduct the warrantless search.
After a judge ruled that at least some of the couple’s claims were valid and would require a trial, the deputies agreed to a settlement, the terms of which were not disclosed.
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President Trump: Please Fire Them!
There are many reasons to fire Sessions, Rosenstein, Wray and McCabe but one is enough
President Trump, I wanted to let you know that the American people see your struggle with the DOJ and that, while I obviously cannot speak for everybody, I believe that your supporters would support you against the swamp if you were to fire Jeff Sessions, Rod Rosenstein, Christopher Wray and Andrew McCabe.
As you can see here, here, here and here, I know better than most about fighting for justice against the crooked InJustice department and I also have an idea as to the advice that you’ve probably been getting from the legal world. I know about the DOJ’s vile behavior; how they make their dirty tricks seem clean while making every clean strategy of yours seem dirty.
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President Trump, I wanted to let you know that the American people see your struggle with the DOJ and that, while I obviously cannot speak for everybody, I believe that your supporters would support you against the swamp if you were to fire Jeff Sessions, Rod Rosenstein, Christopher Wray and Andrew McCabe.
As you can see here, here, here and here, I know better than most about fighting for justice against the crooked InJustice department and I also have an idea as to the advice that you’ve probably been getting from the legal world. I know about the DOJ’s vile behavior; how they make their dirty tricks seem clean while making every clean strategy of yours seem dirty.
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