(CNSNews) -- Judicial Watch announced this week that it has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Baltimore challenging Maryland’s "gerrymandered" congressional districts.
Gerrymandering is the deliberate manipulation of district boundaries in order to benefit a certain political party or group.
“The lawsuit alleges that the Maryland district map is the most distorted and confused in the country,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said at a press conference announcing the lawsuit in Washington on Wednesday.
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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, June 29, 2015
WV TEEN FALLS FROM 5TH FLOOR WINDOW AFTER ASSAULTING FEMALE
(June 29, 2015) – A West Virginia teen is currently in stable condition after falling from a fifth story window in downtown Ocean City.
On June 28, 2015, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Ocean City police responded to a hotel in the area of 2nd Street and Atlantic Avenue for a report of an individual that had fallen from a fifth floor window. Upon arrival, officers observed a male that had been injured from the fall in an alley directly below an open window. He was later identified as Ricky Leon Miller, 18, of Hedgesville, WV. Miller was treated on scene by Ocean City Emergency Medical Services and flown to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center by Maryland State Police Trooper 4 where he is currently listed in stable condition.
After an initial investigation, Ocean City Police Criminal Investigation Division detectives determined that prior to the fall, Miller assaulted a 26-year-old female who was pushing a baby stroller on the third floor of the hotel. The assault was unprovoked and Miller had no prior contact with the female. Miller then fled to the fifth floor of the hotel and was attempting to exit through a hallway window when he fell five stories to the alley below.
Alcohol and drugs are believed to have been contributing factors. The investigation is ongoing and pending charges against Miller have not been determined at this time.
Proposed Md. smog regulations get an airing at hearing
BALTIMORE (AP) — Environmentalists are raising a stink about Maryland’s approach to air pollution.
The Sierra Club says it’s joining six other environmental groups Monday at a public hearing in Baltimore on proposed emergency smog regulations.
The Sierra Club says the proposed rules are an inadequate, short-term solution.
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The Sierra Club says it’s joining six other environmental groups Monday at a public hearing in Baltimore on proposed emergency smog regulations.
The Sierra Club says the proposed rules are an inadequate, short-term solution.
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The Bush Family Goes "All In" For Number Three (With The Help Of Its Bankers)
Money, they say, makes the world go round. So how’s $10 billion for you? That’s a top-end estimate for the record-breaking spending in this 1% presidential election campaign season.But is “season” even the right word, now that such campaigns are essentially four-year events that seem always to be underway? In a political world stuffed with money, it’s little wonder that the campaign season floats on a sea of donations. In the case of Jeb Bush, he and his advisers have so far had a laser-focus on the electorate they felt mattered most: big donors. They held off the announcement of his candidacy until last week (though he clearly long knew he was running) so that they could blast out of the gates, dollars-wise, leaving the competition in their financial dust, before the exceedingly modest limits to non-super PAC campaign fundraising kicked in.
And give Jeb credit -- or rather consider him a credit to his father (the 41st president) and his brother (the 43rd), who had Iraq eternally on their minds. It wasn’t just that Jeb flubbed the Iraq Question when a reporter asked him recently (yes, he would do it all over again; no, he wouldn’t... well, hmmm...), but that Iraq is deeply embedded in the minds of his campaign team, too. His advisers dubbed the pre-announcement campaign they were going to launch to pull in the dollars a “shock-and-awe” operation in the spirit of the invasion of Iraq. Now, having sent in the ground troops, they clearly consider themselves at war. As the New York Timesreported recently, the group's top strategist told donors that his super PAC "hopes to 'weaponize' its fund-raising total for the first six months of the year."
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And give Jeb credit -- or rather consider him a credit to his father (the 41st president) and his brother (the 43rd), who had Iraq eternally on their minds. It wasn’t just that Jeb flubbed the Iraq Question when a reporter asked him recently (yes, he would do it all over again; no, he wouldn’t... well, hmmm...), but that Iraq is deeply embedded in the minds of his campaign team, too. His advisers dubbed the pre-announcement campaign they were going to launch to pull in the dollars a “shock-and-awe” operation in the spirit of the invasion of Iraq. Now, having sent in the ground troops, they clearly consider themselves at war. As the New York Timesreported recently, the group's top strategist told donors that his super PAC "hopes to 'weaponize' its fund-raising total for the first six months of the year."
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JUST IN: Supreme Court Throws Out Arizona, Kansas Voter ID Appeal
In throwing out the case, SCOTUS uphold a Nov. 2014 ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, stating that the Election Assistance Commission — the federal agency overseeing changes to states’ voter registration processes — was, “not required to grant the states’ request that proof of citizenship be added to registration requirements,” reports Reuters. The court believed that the federal registration form — requiring applicants to swear they are citizens under the threat of perjury — was a sufficient safe-guard against voter fraud.
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Clinton Lawyer, Soros Back Anti-Voter ID Lawsuits
George Soros and Clinton lawyer Marc Elias engaging in multi-state effort to overturn ID laws
Hillary Clinton’s top campaign lawyer is behind a multi-state push challenging voter identification laws implemented in recent years, efforts that are expected to reach numerous other states ahead of the 2016 elections.
Marc Elias, a top campaign lawyer for Hillary Clinton and a partner at the Washington, D.C., law firm Perkins Coie, has filed lawsuits in three states thus far. The nationwide campaign is being fueled with money from the liberal billionaire George Soros.
Elias first began exploring the possible challenges back in January 2014. Soros then became involved, vowing to throw his weight behind the effort in collaboration with Elias.
“We hope to see these unfair laws, which often disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in our society, repealed,” Soros told the New York Times.
“It is disingenuous to suggest that these laws are meant to protect against voter fraud, which is nearly nonexistent,” Soros political adviser Michael Vachon added. “Clearly they are meant to give Republicans a political advantage on Election Day.”
Soros has pledged $5 million to propel the campaign. Elias did not return a request for comment concerning his dealings with Soros or the total number of lawsuits they plan on bringing forward. A request for comment from George Soros’s press office was also not returned by press time.
Hillary Clinton’s top campaign lawyer is behind a multi-state push challenging voter identification laws implemented in recent years, efforts that are expected to reach numerous other states ahead of the 2016 elections.
Marc Elias, a top campaign lawyer for Hillary Clinton and a partner at the Washington, D.C., law firm Perkins Coie, has filed lawsuits in three states thus far. The nationwide campaign is being fueled with money from the liberal billionaire George Soros.
Elias first began exploring the possible challenges back in January 2014. Soros then became involved, vowing to throw his weight behind the effort in collaboration with Elias.
“We hope to see these unfair laws, which often disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in our society, repealed,” Soros told the New York Times.
“It is disingenuous to suggest that these laws are meant to protect against voter fraud, which is nearly nonexistent,” Soros political adviser Michael Vachon added. “Clearly they are meant to give Republicans a political advantage on Election Day.”
Soros has pledged $5 million to propel the campaign. Elias did not return a request for comment concerning his dealings with Soros or the total number of lawsuits they plan on bringing forward. A request for comment from George Soros’s press office was also not returned by press time.
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release 6-29-15
On Monday June 22, 2015 at approximately 0155 hours a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy stopped a vehicle on Route 90 Berlin, Maryland for a speed violation. During the stop the deputy observed certain indicators of suspicious activity. A K-9 Officer was called to scan the vehicle. The K-9 had a positive alert on the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle a loaded handgun was found under the front passenger side seat. The driver, Seth Thomas Hughes 22 years of age from Hazleton Pa., was arrested and transported to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Mr. Hughes was charged with possession of a handgun and released pending trial.
On Monday June 22, 2015 at approximately 1818 hours Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputies stopped a black in GMC Yukon for failing to drive right of the center line and other signs of negligent driving on Route 113 near Public Landing Rd. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Merysol Mendez-Reyes50 years of age from Newark New Jersey. A search of the vehicle revealed over 1,000 cartons of untaxed cigarettes.
Ms. Mendez-Reyes was arrested and charged with transporting untaxed cigarettes and possessing untaxed cigarettes. Ms. Mendez- Reyes was given warnings for her negligent driving and failing to drive right of center. Ms. Mendez-Reyes was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was held on a $ 10,000 bond.
On 06/28/2015 WCSO responded to a residence on Coral Reef Drive for a report of a theft of $10,000 cash from a vehicle that occurred earlier. Through investigation Demetrius Mobley, 22, of Hillside Illinois was identified as a possible suspect. A search of Mr. Mobley property resulted in the recovery of the $10,000. Mobley was placed under arrest and charged with one count of theft $10,000 - Under $100,000.
Mr. Mobley was taken before the District Court Commissioner and released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.
On Monday June 22, 2015 at approximately 1818 hours Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputies stopped a black in GMC Yukon for failing to drive right of the center line and other signs of negligent driving on Route 113 near Public Landing Rd. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Merysol Mendez-Reyes50 years of age from Newark New Jersey. A search of the vehicle revealed over 1,000 cartons of untaxed cigarettes.
Ms. Mendez-Reyes was arrested and charged with transporting untaxed cigarettes and possessing untaxed cigarettes. Ms. Mendez- Reyes was given warnings for her negligent driving and failing to drive right of center. Ms. Mendez-Reyes was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was held on a $ 10,000 bond.
On 06/28/2015 WCSO responded to a residence on Coral Reef Drive for a report of a theft of $10,000 cash from a vehicle that occurred earlier. Through investigation Demetrius Mobley, 22, of Hillside Illinois was identified as a possible suspect. A search of Mr. Mobley property resulted in the recovery of the $10,000. Mobley was placed under arrest and charged with one count of theft $10,000 - Under $100,000.
Mr. Mobley was taken before the District Court Commissioner and released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.
Maryland governor starts chemotherapy for lymphoma
Hogan announced last week that he’s been diagnosed with an advanced stage of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He said the cancer responds well to treatment and his prognosis is good.
The Republican governor said in a Facebook post Sunday morning that he’s “made it through the first 24 hours of chemo.”
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High schoolers’ experiment lost again on launch failure
Instead they got a life lesson about loss, but more importantly about determination, as they watched their experiment get wiped out for the second straight time by a rocket failure on Sunday.
The students from North Charleston, South Carolina, had come up with an intricate electronics circuitry experiment. It was supposed to fly last October to the International Space Station on an Antares rocket out of Wallops Island, Virginia.
But it blew up as they watched from only 1.7 miles away. Joe Garvey was knocked over by the blast coming off the launch pad. Rachel Lindbergh felt the heat on her face.
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Nearly Instantaneous Finger-prick Test for Ebola
Public health officials may soon be able to screen patients for Ebola at border crossings and hospitals with a finger-prick blood test that takes mere minutes.
The development of the rapid diagnostic test, reported in The Lancet Thursday, represents a significant victory for scientists around the world who have been experimenting over the past year with all manner of vaccines, treatments and other ways of eradicating the virus.
Developing a way of confirming Ebola in a patient has been one of the top priorities. In the early stages the symptoms -- chest pain, cough, nausea -- can look like many other illnesses, making it very difficult for doctors to triage -- to determine who should be quarantined and who to send home. It can often take days or longer for laboratory tests, the current standard, to return a positive or negative result.
"Delays like this result not only in the failure to diagnose and treat Ebola-infected patients, but also in individuals without Ebola being admitted to holding units where they may be subsequently infected with the virus," explained Nira Pollock, an associate medical director of the infectious diseases diagnostic laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital who is a co-author of the study.
The new test was evaluated in two government-run treatment centers in Sierra Leone, one of the hardest hit countries in the epidemic that has killed more than 11,200 people in West Africa as of this week. The research team, which also included scientists from Harvard Medical School, compared the accuracy of the rapid test with the laboratory test in 106 individuals suspected of having Ebola. The rapid test identified 100 percent of all infected patients who also got positive results with the lab test.
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The development of the rapid diagnostic test, reported in The Lancet Thursday, represents a significant victory for scientists around the world who have been experimenting over the past year with all manner of vaccines, treatments and other ways of eradicating the virus.
Developing a way of confirming Ebola in a patient has been one of the top priorities. In the early stages the symptoms -- chest pain, cough, nausea -- can look like many other illnesses, making it very difficult for doctors to triage -- to determine who should be quarantined and who to send home. It can often take days or longer for laboratory tests, the current standard, to return a positive or negative result.
"Delays like this result not only in the failure to diagnose and treat Ebola-infected patients, but also in individuals without Ebola being admitted to holding units where they may be subsequently infected with the virus," explained Nira Pollock, an associate medical director of the infectious diseases diagnostic laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital who is a co-author of the study.
The new test was evaluated in two government-run treatment centers in Sierra Leone, one of the hardest hit countries in the epidemic that has killed more than 11,200 people in West Africa as of this week. The research team, which also included scientists from Harvard Medical School, compared the accuracy of the rapid test with the laboratory test in 106 individuals suspected of having Ebola. The rapid test identified 100 percent of all infected patients who also got positive results with the lab test.
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Rand Paul Issues Statement On Obamacare Ruling
“I WOULD MAKE IT MY MISSION TO REPEAL IT”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Rand Paul issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Obamacare subsidies:
“This decision turns both the rule of law and common sense on its head. Obamacare raises taxes, harms patients and doctors, and is the wrong fix for America’s health care system.
As President, I would make it my mission to repeal it, and propose real solutions for our healthcare system.
As a physician, I know Americans need a healthcare system that reconnects patients, families, and doctors, rather than growing government bureaucracy,” Sen. Rand Paul said.
(Editor’s Note: The above communication is a news release from a presidential campaign and does not necessarily reflect the editorial position of FITSNews.com. To submit your letter, news release, email blast, media advisory or issues statement for publication, click here).
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Rand Paul issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Obamacare subsidies:
“This decision turns both the rule of law and common sense on its head. Obamacare raises taxes, harms patients and doctors, and is the wrong fix for America’s health care system.
As President, I would make it my mission to repeal it, and propose real solutions for our healthcare system.
As a physician, I know Americans need a healthcare system that reconnects patients, families, and doctors, rather than growing government bureaucracy,” Sen. Rand Paul said.
(Editor’s Note: The above communication is a news release from a presidential campaign and does not necessarily reflect the editorial position of FITSNews.com. To submit your letter, news release, email blast, media advisory or issues statement for publication, click here).
Despite Subpoena and Preservation Order, Lois Lerner Emails Wiped by IRS
(CNSNews) – After the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was subpoenaed and issued a preservation order for Lois Lerner’s missing emails, tapes that potentially contained her emails were wiped, which was the topic of conversation at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing at the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill on Thursday.
“There was a preservation order in place, there’s a subpoena in place, they’ve never complied with it; we’ve had testimony from the IRS commissioner that we would get all this only to find out they’ve been degaussing these tapes and they destroyed evidence,” said Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) at the hearing.
The main witnesses at the hearing were Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George and Deputy Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Office of Investigations Tim Camus.
“That’s what they did and that’s why we continue to have this,” said Chaffetz. “We haven’t even gotten into the content of the emails. We’re just trying to get them so we can read them and figure out what’s going on.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) focused his remarks on the timeline of events happening with the IRS scandal:
“There was a preservation order in place, there’s a subpoena in place, they’ve never complied with it; we’ve had testimony from the IRS commissioner that we would get all this only to find out they’ve been degaussing these tapes and they destroyed evidence,” said Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) at the hearing.
The main witnesses at the hearing were Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George and Deputy Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Office of Investigations Tim Camus.
“That’s what they did and that’s why we continue to have this,” said Chaffetz. “We haven’t even gotten into the content of the emails. We’re just trying to get them so we can read them and figure out what’s going on.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) focused his remarks on the timeline of events happening with the IRS scandal:
I Fear Judgment Befalling America
Dr. James Dobson sees children as primary victims in high-court ruling
Even though Friday’s re-definition of marriage by the U. S. Supreme Court was anticipated, I have found myself grieving over its implications for my country and for Western civilization itself. This radical decree will have a devastating affect on every dimension of culture.
I grieve most for what it will do to our children, our grandchildren and future generations. They will be taught that right is wrong and wrong is right, and that the teachings of Scripture are unreliable and inaccurate. How outrageous it is that boys and girls barely out of babyhood are already being introduced in some schools to perverse adult behavior.
Soon, public school textbooks throughout the country will be re-written and re-illustrated to conform to today’s ruling. It matters not that these revisions will contradict the beliefs and convictions of their parents. It will soon become the law of the land.
Many more vulnerable kids will grow up in homes with same-sex parents, obviously lacking either masculine or feminine role models. They are the real victims of the Court’s ruling.
Adults will suffer, too. I believe a barrage of court cases has already been planned against those who hold to politically incorrect views of marriage. Many of us will be dragged into court to be prosecuted or subjected to civil judgments. Some will lose their jobs, while others forfeit their businesses. Some will be persecuted and ridiculed and fined. Some may go to prison as the years unfold. Since same-sex marriage has now been determined to be a universal human right by the highest court in the land, it will trump religious liberty, churches, seminaries, Christian schools, businesses and a host of individual liberties. I also fear that judgment will befall this once great nation.
Here is the question of the hour. The organization I lead, Family Talk, is in accord with the National Organization for Marriage. This is an excerpt of its editorial released Friday:
(Read more here)
Even though Friday’s re-definition of marriage by the U. S. Supreme Court was anticipated, I have found myself grieving over its implications for my country and for Western civilization itself. This radical decree will have a devastating affect on every dimension of culture.
I grieve most for what it will do to our children, our grandchildren and future generations. They will be taught that right is wrong and wrong is right, and that the teachings of Scripture are unreliable and inaccurate. How outrageous it is that boys and girls barely out of babyhood are already being introduced in some schools to perverse adult behavior.
Soon, public school textbooks throughout the country will be re-written and re-illustrated to conform to today’s ruling. It matters not that these revisions will contradict the beliefs and convictions of their parents. It will soon become the law of the land.
Many more vulnerable kids will grow up in homes with same-sex parents, obviously lacking either masculine or feminine role models. They are the real victims of the Court’s ruling.
Adults will suffer, too. I believe a barrage of court cases has already been planned against those who hold to politically incorrect views of marriage. Many of us will be dragged into court to be prosecuted or subjected to civil judgments. Some will lose their jobs, while others forfeit their businesses. Some will be persecuted and ridiculed and fined. Some may go to prison as the years unfold. Since same-sex marriage has now been determined to be a universal human right by the highest court in the land, it will trump religious liberty, churches, seminaries, Christian schools, businesses and a host of individual liberties. I also fear that judgment will befall this once great nation.
Here is the question of the hour. The organization I lead, Family Talk, is in accord with the National Organization for Marriage. This is an excerpt of its editorial released Friday:
(Read more here)
Michael Moore Offers To Pay Bail & Legal Fees For Woman Who Took Down Confederate Flag
About three hours after Newsome, a self described artist and activist, took down the flag Saturday morning while wearing a helmet and climbing equipment, the filmmaker tweeted out this.
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Franklin Graham Warns Gay Marriage Ruling Will Lead to Christian Persecution
One of the nation’s most prominent evangelical leaders issued a dire warning for the nation in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling on homosexual marriage.
“I believe God could bring judgment upon America,” said Franklin Graham in an exclusive interview.
Graham told me that Christians should be prepared for persecution in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling on homosexual marriage.
“You better be ready and you better be prepared because it’s coming,” Graham said just moments after the court handed down its ruling. “There will be persecution of Christians for our stand.”
Graham, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, said he was disappointed in the 5-4 Supreme Court ruling.
“I’m disappointed because the government is recognizing sin,” he said. “This court is endorsing sin. That’s what homosexuality is – a sin against God.”
Graham said regardless of the ruling, he will refuse to marry any same-sex couple.
“I will never recognize it in my heart because God gave marriage between a man and a woman and that’s what marriage is,” he said. “And I don’t think the court – since it never defined marriage – doesn’t have the right to redefine it. God gave us marriage. Period. And God doesn’t change his mind.”
The Supreme Court's decision means gay rights now trump religious liberty. And if you think the cultural purging of the Southern States has been breathtaking, wait until you see what LGBT activists are about to unleash on American Christians.
More here
“I believe God could bring judgment upon America,” said Franklin Graham in an exclusive interview.
Graham told me that Christians should be prepared for persecution in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling on homosexual marriage.
“You better be ready and you better be prepared because it’s coming,” Graham said just moments after the court handed down its ruling. “There will be persecution of Christians for our stand.”
Graham, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, said he was disappointed in the 5-4 Supreme Court ruling.
“I’m disappointed because the government is recognizing sin,” he said. “This court is endorsing sin. That’s what homosexuality is – a sin against God.”
Graham said regardless of the ruling, he will refuse to marry any same-sex couple.
“I will never recognize it in my heart because God gave marriage between a man and a woman and that’s what marriage is,” he said. “And I don’t think the court – since it never defined marriage – doesn’t have the right to redefine it. God gave us marriage. Period. And God doesn’t change his mind.”
The Supreme Court's decision means gay rights now trump religious liberty. And if you think the cultural purging of the Southern States has been breathtaking, wait until you see what LGBT activists are about to unleash on American Christians.
More here
FCC Chairman 'Will Not Let Up' on Broadband Regulation
The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission made clear Friday that his plans for broadband policy are far from over.
"Here's the punchline," Chairman Tom Wheeler said at the Brookings Institution. "It's pedal to the medal on broadband policy for both consumers and competitors."
Wheeler called broadband the most "powerful and pervasive platform on the planet," saying it is "unthinkable" that it could exist without government oversight. He emphasized the necessity of having policies that address the power that large companies have over broadband and who is able to access it.
He said that it was unacceptable that in this day and age, broadband is still unavailable to some. Calling it "indispensable," Wheeler said the FCC is planning to make broadband cheaper, fairer and more accessible by pushing competition, offering economic incentives and enabling new government policies.
Regulation of the network, Wheeler said, "can only be done at the highest level of government."
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"Here's the punchline," Chairman Tom Wheeler said at the Brookings Institution. "It's pedal to the medal on broadband policy for both consumers and competitors."
Wheeler called broadband the most "powerful and pervasive platform on the planet," saying it is "unthinkable" that it could exist without government oversight. He emphasized the necessity of having policies that address the power that large companies have over broadband and who is able to access it.
He said that it was unacceptable that in this day and age, broadband is still unavailable to some. Calling it "indispensable," Wheeler said the FCC is planning to make broadband cheaper, fairer and more accessible by pushing competition, offering economic incentives and enabling new government policies.
Regulation of the network, Wheeler said, "can only be done at the highest level of government."
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Clinton's Benghazi Cover Up 3.0
In an address to the nation in 2010, Barack Obama declared what I suggest will be the defining words of his administration’s legacy: “The only people who don’t want to disclose the truth are people with something to hide.”
Seasoned political observer Jonah Goldberg noted that Obama’s deceptions amount to “the biggest lies about domestic policy ever uttered by a U.S. president.” While I concur with that assessment, Obama and his secretary of state from 2009 to 2013, Hillary Clinton, are in a dead heat for “biggest lies about foreign policy.”
Though Obama promised to have “the most transparent administration in history,” his has without question been the absolute polar opposite. But history tells us that if Hillary Clinton makes it to the White House she’ll make Obama look like a piker.
Getting to the truth of any matter in this era — an era in which progressive falsehoods are routinely enabled and propagated by the Leftmedia — is often exceedingly difficult. This is especially true when dealing with accomplished masters of the art of lying like Obama and Clinton. Indeed, they have taken executive-level deception and obfuscation into uncharted depths.
Under the Obama/Clinton watch, our nation’s paper tiger foreign policy has resulted in numerous colossal failures. The most catastrophic of these so far would include the expansionist “Russian Spring,” our abruptabandonment of Iraq after securing a hard-won victory over the region’s jihadists, and the resulting rise of the “JV” Islamic State whose mayhem is now spreading across the Middle East.
More here
U.S. Rehearses Bombing Iran's Buried Nuclear Targets
That’s why, at least three times in the past year, a B-2 stealth bomber has taken off from an Air Force base in Missouri and headed west to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. For these missions, the $2 billion plane was outfitted with one of the world’s largest bombs. It is a cylinder of special high-performance steel, 20 feet long and weighing 15 tons. When dropped from an altitude likely above 20,000 feet, the bomb would have approached supersonic speed before striking a mock target in the desert, smashing through rock and burrowing deep into the ground before its 6,000 pounds of high explosives detonated with devastating force.
“It boggles the mind,” says one former Pentagon official who has watched video of the tests.
More here
WCSO Most Wanted 6-29-15
Call Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore at 410-548-1776 with any tips on the whereabouts of these subjects. They pay cash for tips!!
• Black Female, 5’04” 200 lbs
• DOB 11/22/1972 42 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Carter’s last known address was Salisbury MD
• Carter is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a District Court Bench Warrant issued for Violation of Probation in January 2015 on the charge of Assault 2nd and Resist Arrest
• The preset bond is $50,000
• Carter should be APPROACHED WITH EXTREME CAUTION, has history of weapon possession and resist arrest
Russell Guy Perry• White Male, 5’09” 155 lbs
• DOB 05/19/1985 30 years of age
• Blond hair, Blue eyes
• Perry’s last known address was Edgewood MD but he is believed to have moved to Delmar MD
• Perry is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a District Court Bench Warrant issued in September 2013 for Violation of Probation on the charge of Burglary 4th degree
• The preset bond is $10,000
• Black Male, 6’00” 240 lbs
• DOB 10/17/1976 38 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Horton’s last known address was Salisbury MD
• Horton is wanted by the Sheriff's Office on a District Court Arrest Warrant issued in September 2014 for Attempt to Elude Officers, Failure to Stop at Accident, and Driving without a license
• Horton has history of being ARMED, RESIST ARREST, ASSAULT POLICE, DRUG ABUSE, and is a known GANG MEMBER
Marvin Dean Hicks• White Male 5’09” 155 lbs
• DOB 07/10/1962 52 years of age
• Gray hair, Blue eyes
• Hicks’ last known address was Delmar MD
• Hicks is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued for Violation of Probation in April 2014 on the charges of Theft $1000 to $10000, Theft less $1000, and Burglary 4th degree
• The preset bond is $25,000
• The state will extradite him from DE and VA
• Hicks should be APPROACHED WITH CAUTION and has history of DRUG ABUSE
Samuel Jesus Gomez-Torres• Hispanic Male, 5’09” 136 lbs
• DOB 11/19/1987 27 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Gomez’s last known address was Salisbury MD
• Gomez is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued in August 2012 for Violation of Probation on the charge of Assault 2nd
• There is no preset bond, he must be brought before the court
• Black Female, 5’06” 155 lbs
• DOB 11/06/1986 28 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eye
• Tindley’s last known address was Salisbury MD
• Tindley is wanted by the Sheriff's Office on a District Court Bench Warrant issued in September 2014 for Violation of Probation on the charges of False Statement to Officer, Obstruct & Hinder, and Fraud Personal ID to avoid prosecution
• The preset bond is $50,000
• The state will extradite her from DE and VA
• Tindley should be APPROACHED WITH CAUTION
Texas AG: State workers can deny marriage licenses to gay couples
Ken Paxton, in his non-binding legal opinion, went on to add that “numerous lawyers” would be made available to defend public officials refusing to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples, according to the Associated Press.
“This newly minted federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage can and should peaceably coexist with longstanding constitutional and statutory rights, including the rights to free exercise of religion and freedom of speech,” Paxton’s opinion states. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick later requested to review the document.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote a memo on Friday stating that “despite the Supreme Court’s rulings, Texans’ fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected,” a move that could have prompted Paxton’s remarks over the weekend.
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Pension Funds Are "Compromising Their Solvency" OECD Warns
Four months ago in “The Global War On Pensioners”, we highlighted the impact perpetually suppressed risk-free rates are having on pension funds. The critical point is this: the lower the investment return assumption (the assumed discount rate), the higher the present value of pension liabilities, meaning funds must either concede that liabilities have ballooned in the low yield environment, or take greater risks to justify elevated investment return assumptions.
This state of affairs has exacerbated an already bad situation for many public sector pension funds in the US and has helped fuel a shift towards “alternatives” by funds determined to maintain investment return assumptions despite the fact that ZIRP and NIRP are making those assumptions more unrealistic by the day. For a detailed recap, see the following:
The Global War On Pensioners
Junk Rated Chicago Has A Billion Dollar Pension Problem
Almost Half Of US States Are Officially Broke
States Turn To Pension Ponzi Scheme To Close Funding Gaps
For more on the risks posed by the intersection of pension funding gaps and persistently low rates, we go to the OECD’s Business and Finance Outlook (first discussed here in the context of bond market liquidity last week):
More
This state of affairs has exacerbated an already bad situation for many public sector pension funds in the US and has helped fuel a shift towards “alternatives” by funds determined to maintain investment return assumptions despite the fact that ZIRP and NIRP are making those assumptions more unrealistic by the day. For a detailed recap, see the following:
The Global War On Pensioners
Junk Rated Chicago Has A Billion Dollar Pension Problem
Almost Half Of US States Are Officially Broke
States Turn To Pension Ponzi Scheme To Close Funding Gaps
For more on the risks posed by the intersection of pension funding gaps and persistently low rates, we go to the OECD’s Business and Finance Outlook (first discussed here in the context of bond market liquidity last week):
More
WCSO Press Release 6-29-15
Incident: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Date of Incident: 25 June 2015
Location: Salisbury Blvd at Ohio Ave, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Joseph Clark Hollaway, 39, Delmar, MD
Narrative: On 25 June 2015 at 12:29 AM a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Joseph Hollaway for driving 71 mph in a 35 mph zone on Salisbury Boulevard. Upon contact with Hollaway, the deputy detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from within the interior of the vehicle. Based on the odor and other physical indicators, the deputy initiated sobriety testing. At the conclusion of the testing, the deputy placed Hollaway under arrest for DUI.
During subsequent processing, Hollaway provided a breath sample that measured .14.
Hollaway was released upon the issuance of citations.
Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se
***************************************************
Incident: Sex Offender Violation
Date of Incident: 25 June 2015
Location: Wicomico County
Suspect: Brett E. Evans, 51, Salisbury, MD
Brett Evans
Narrative: On 25 June 2015 a deputy arrested Brett Evans for failing to correctly register as a sex offender as required. Evans, as a result of being convicted for a Rape in the 4th Degree in Delaware, was required to register as a Sex Offender. Upon relocated to Wicomico County in 2013 Evans initially complied with the requirement, but he informed the Sex Offender Registration Unit at the Sheriff’s Office that Evans was homeless as of May 28, 2015.
Due to his declaration of being homeless, Evans was required to check in with the sheriff’s Office on a weekly basis. An investigator with the Sex Offender Registration Unit discovered that Evan was regularly staying at a location outside of Wicomico County after declaring he was homeless.
Following an initial appearance, Evans was detained in the Detention Center in lieu of $10,000.00 bond.
Charges: Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
Providing False Information as Sex Offender
***************************************************
Incident: Fugitive from Delaware
Date of Incident: 26 June 2015
Location: 7000 block of Canal Street, Willards, MD
Suspect: Verlin Richard Hudson, 40, Willards, MD
Verlin Hudson
Narrative: On 26 June 2015 at 4:45 PM a deputy arrested Verlin Hudson of Willards as a Fugitive from the State of Delaware. Authorities in that state wanted Hudson in connection with a forgery case.
Hudson was detained without bond pending extradition back to Delaware.
Charges: Fugitive from Delaware
Releasing Authority: Lt. Tim Robinson Date: 26 June 2015
PUERTO RICO: 'There is no US precedent for anything of this scale or scope'
Puerto Rico's governor is warning that the island can't pay its $72 billion public debt, delivering another jolt to the recession-gripped US territory as well as a world financial system already worrying over Greece's collapsing finances.
Gov. Alejandro GarcÃa Padilla is hoping to defer debt payments while negotiating with creditors, spokesman Jesus Manuel Ortiz said Sunday night.
"There is no other option," GarcÃa said, according to The New York Times. "I would love to have an easier option. This is not politics; this is math."
The comments came as legislators debate a $9.8 billion budget that calls for $674 million in cuts and sets aside $1.5 billion to help pay off the debt. The budget has to be approved by Tuesday.
Puerto Rico's bonds were popular with US mutual funds because they were tax-free, but hedge funds and distressed-debt buyers began stepping in to buy up debt as the island's economy worsened and its credit rating dropped.
"Analysts believe the central government will run out of cash as soon as July, which could lead to a government shutdown, employee furloughs, and other emergency measures," according to The Wall Street Journal.
"This is going to be painful for the next two to three years," Rep. Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's Democratic representative in the US House, told The Journal.
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Gov. Alejandro GarcÃa Padilla is hoping to defer debt payments while negotiating with creditors, spokesman Jesus Manuel Ortiz said Sunday night.
"There is no other option," GarcÃa said, according to The New York Times. "I would love to have an easier option. This is not politics; this is math."
The comments came as legislators debate a $9.8 billion budget that calls for $674 million in cuts and sets aside $1.5 billion to help pay off the debt. The budget has to be approved by Tuesday.
Puerto Rico's bonds were popular with US mutual funds because they were tax-free, but hedge funds and distressed-debt buyers began stepping in to buy up debt as the island's economy worsened and its credit rating dropped.
"Analysts believe the central government will run out of cash as soon as July, which could lead to a government shutdown, employee furloughs, and other emergency measures," according to The Wall Street Journal.
"This is going to be painful for the next two to three years," Rep. Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's Democratic representative in the US House, told The Journal.
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BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court rules against EPA on power plant rules
In a major victory for energy industry groups, the Supreme Court rules 5-4 against EPA regulations limiting power plant emissions of mercury and other pollutants.
Walmart Makes ISIS Cake, But Refuses Confederate Flag
In an emotional YouTube post that went up June 26, Netzhammer showed a picture of the Confederate flag he wished displayed on a cake from the retail giant’s bakery. In addition to the familiar stars and bars, the statement “Heritage Not Hate” was to be printed across the front.
Netzhammer then claimed that he was able to go to another Walmart in the same area and have an ISIS cake printed for him with no issues.
After the cake unboxing, he then displayed the “Heritage Not Hate” refusal form that Walmart had given him along with documentation and receipts on his ISIS cake.
The experience left the Southerner irate.
More here (with video)
The War On Some Drugs
Drugs are a charged subject everywhere.Longtime readers know that although I personally abstain from drugs and generally eschew the company of users, I think they should be 100% legal.
Few people consider how arbitrary the current prohibition is; up until the 1920s, heroin and cocaine were both perfectly legal and easily obtainable over the counter. Some people “abused” them, just like some today “abuse” fat and sugar (because they’re enjoyable).
But drugs are no more of a problem than anything else; life is full of problems. In fact, life isn’t just full of problems; life is problems. What is a problem? It’s simply the situation of having to choose between two or more alternatives. Personally, I believe in people being free to choose, and I rigorously shun the company of people who don’t.
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Few people consider how arbitrary the current prohibition is; up until the 1920s, heroin and cocaine were both perfectly legal and easily obtainable over the counter. Some people “abused” them, just like some today “abuse” fat and sugar (because they’re enjoyable).
But drugs are no more of a problem than anything else; life is full of problems. In fact, life isn’t just full of problems; life is problems. What is a problem? It’s simply the situation of having to choose between two or more alternatives. Personally, I believe in people being free to choose, and I rigorously shun the company of people who don’t.
More
Judge blocks 'Summer Splash' pool party at Gambrills mansion
The move comes after neighbors of the gated 6.3-acre property on Saddle Drive went to the county with complaints about loud noise, property damage, littering and other issues during events there.
The 17,500-square-foot house has been rented out for the parties, said Senior Assistant County Attorney Philip Culpepper, some of which have drawn hundreds of people from throughout the East Coast. Admission has been charged for some of the events and alcohol has been served, Culpepper said.
The restraining order, signed by Anne Arundel Circuit Court Judge Philip T. Caroom, is in effect until July 7. It names the homeowner, her son-in-law, the son-in-law's company and a Summer Splash party promoter as the defendants.
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BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court upholds use of controversial lethal injection drug
In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled death penalty states may administer the sedative midazolam, which critics argued was unreliable and could subject inmates to cruel and unusual punishment.
More
More
PLO Holds Unity Government Talks With Hamas, Islamic Jihad
PLO committee talks with terror groups about forming new government, after Abbas told France Hamas won't be part of new government.
A Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) committee launched talks with Hamas and Islamic Jihad on Saturday with the objective of forming a new unity government, after Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas dissolved the dysfunctional previous one earlier this month.
PLO Executive Committee member Hanna Amireh told the Palestinian Arab Ma'an News Agency about the talks, and said that they were meant to include the two terrorist organizations in the new government.
The move comes despite the fact that Abbas told French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius last Sunday that Hamas should not be included in the new government.
Amireh said that if talks with Hamas fail, a government headed by an individual of Abbas's selection could be formed without the group.
The PA torpedoed the last round of peace talks by sealing a rapprochement deal with its rival Hamas last April, showing how its goals are aligned with the organization that has the genocide of all Jews written into its charter.
Hamas gave conditional approval of a new government formed by the PLO but including Hamas and Islamic Jihad members, according to Amireh on Saturday.
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A Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) committee launched talks with Hamas and Islamic Jihad on Saturday with the objective of forming a new unity government, after Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas dissolved the dysfunctional previous one earlier this month.
PLO Executive Committee member Hanna Amireh told the Palestinian Arab Ma'an News Agency about the talks, and said that they were meant to include the two terrorist organizations in the new government.
The move comes despite the fact that Abbas told French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius last Sunday that Hamas should not be included in the new government.
Amireh said that if talks with Hamas fail, a government headed by an individual of Abbas's selection could be formed without the group.
The PA torpedoed the last round of peace talks by sealing a rapprochement deal with its rival Hamas last April, showing how its goals are aligned with the organization that has the genocide of all Jews written into its charter.
Hamas gave conditional approval of a new government formed by the PLO but including Hamas and Islamic Jihad members, according to Amireh on Saturday.
More
'Self-pity Is Our Worst Enemy'
Helen Keller
Helen Keller was born June 27, 1880. At the age of two she suffered an illness that left her blind and deaf. Her parents took her to Dr. Alexander Graham Bell who recommended the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston.
It was there, at age of 7, that Helen Keller was taught by Anne Sullivan through the sense of touch. Anne eventually taught Helen to read Braille. Helen Keller began attending Radcliffe College, where Anne Sullivan interpreted the lectures.
Helen became concerned about all the blind, especially those blinded in World War I or by poor working conditions. Though naive in her political views, she received numerous international honors for her efforts to help the blind.
Helen Keller learned to type on a Braille typewriter and wrote many books between 1903 and 1941, including:
The Story of My Life, 1903
Optimism, 1903
The World I Live In, 1908
The Song of the Stone Wall, 1910
Out of the Dark, 1913
My Religion, 1927
Midstream, 1930
Let Us Have Faith, 1941
The Open Door, 1957
Helen Keller stated: “I thank God for my handicaps, for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.”
In the film documentary of her life, “The Unconquered,” Helen Keller responded to the question, “Can you see the world?”: “I can see, and that is why I can be so happy, in what you call the dark, but which to me is golden. I can see a God-made world, not a man-made world.”
It was there, at age of 7, that Helen Keller was taught by Anne Sullivan through the sense of touch. Anne eventually taught Helen to read Braille. Helen Keller began attending Radcliffe College, where Anne Sullivan interpreted the lectures.
Helen became concerned about all the blind, especially those blinded in World War I or by poor working conditions. Though naive in her political views, she received numerous international honors for her efforts to help the blind.
Helen Keller learned to type on a Braille typewriter and wrote many books between 1903 and 1941, including:
The Story of My Life, 1903
Optimism, 1903
The World I Live In, 1908
The Song of the Stone Wall, 1910
Out of the Dark, 1913
My Religion, 1927
Midstream, 1930
Let Us Have Faith, 1941
The Open Door, 1957
Helen Keller stated: “I thank God for my handicaps, for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.”
In the film documentary of her life, “The Unconquered,” Helen Keller responded to the question, “Can you see the world?”: “I can see, and that is why I can be so happy, in what you call the dark, but which to me is golden. I can see a God-made world, not a man-made world.”
BUSTED: Massive Obama Family Tie to Slavery Gets Exposed for America to See
Specifically, Obama’s great-great-great-great grandfather on his mother’s side, George Washington Overall, owned two slaves — a 15-year-old black girl and 25-year-old black man.
Obama’s great-great-great-great-great-grandmother, Mary Duvall, also owned two slaves — a 60-year-old black man and 58-year-old black woman.
Furthermore, the Duvalls, who lived in the 1800s, can be traced back to Mareen Duvall, a land owner in the 1600s who owned 18 slaves.
When this revelation initially broke in 2007, an Obama campaign spokesperson tried to deflect from it by arguing that Obama also had ancestors who “fought for the Union in the Civil War.”
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Black Pastors' Group Urges Civil Disobedience Against Gay Marriage Ruling
The head of an organization of African-American pastors told Newsmax Saturday that Christians must oppose the Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling through civil disobedience because "you do something to get arrested to call attention to the injustice."
"I was in the civil rights movement, so I know how to do it" the Rev. Bill Owens, president of the Coalition of African-American Pastors (CAAP), said in an interview. "When we sat at the counters at restaurants, we knew we were going to be arrested. You do things to get arrested, to call attention to it.
"So many people were silent," he added. "The church people were absolutely silent on this issue. A few leaders spoke out, but the masses of the church people were silent."
When asked why people were unwilling to speak against President Barack Obama when he came out for gay marriage in 2012, Owens responded: "The whites didn't want to come out against Obama since he endorsed it so strongly and they didn't want to be called bigots — and the blacks didn't want to say they were betraying a black man.
"I came out very powerfully against Mr. Obama when he stood for same-sex marriage."
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"I was in the civil rights movement, so I know how to do it" the Rev. Bill Owens, president of the Coalition of African-American Pastors (CAAP), said in an interview. "When we sat at the counters at restaurants, we knew we were going to be arrested. You do things to get arrested, to call attention to it.
"So many people were silent," he added. "The church people were absolutely silent on this issue. A few leaders spoke out, but the masses of the church people were silent."
When asked why people were unwilling to speak against President Barack Obama when he came out for gay marriage in 2012, Owens responded: "The whites didn't want to come out against Obama since he endorsed it so strongly and they didn't want to be called bigots — and the blacks didn't want to say they were betraying a black man.
"I came out very powerfully against Mr. Obama when he stood for same-sex marriage."
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The Confederate Flag and Cultural Fascism
You have shown you will say most anything, and do most anything to advance your radical agenda. But that’s not enough, is it? Your intent is to ban any opposition. Your goal is to ban even the expression of dissension.
You’re doing it everywhere. You are insisting scientists skeptical of global warming be banned from symposia discussing the subject. You shout down, even physically attack conservatives who dare express opinions on college campuses – that is, if you don’t succeed in banning them altogether. You demand TV networks fire Christians who dare to quote Scripture publicly. You pressure advertisers to stop their sponsorship of conservative talk shows, inventing scandals to justify your campaigns. You pressure businesses to fire employee for supporting traditional marriage. You call on government to imprison Christians who will not abide by the gay agenda.
Now it’s the Confederate flag.
I don’t know what’s more offensive, your disgusting character assassination or the outright embarrassment of politicians and businesses quaking in their shoes at the thought they might be next on your hit list.
As usual, you are using a horrific event, and the victims of that horror, as your excuse, just as you used a pro-life extremist detonating a bomb to smear the entire pro-life movement, just as you used a crazed gunman opening fire in a movie theater to advance your radical agenda to ban all guns.
You demand it be banned from society because you insist society accept your definition of what it represents. As usual, you are using a horrific event, and the victims of that horror, as your excuse, just as you used a pro-life extremist detonating a bomb to smear the entire pro-life movement, just as you used a crazed gunman opening fire in a movie theater to advance your radical agenda to ban all guns.
More here
Just Ignore The Gay Marriage Ruling
DENVER — Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee suggested Saturday that conservatives treat the Supreme Court’s gay marriage decision like Abraham Lincoln treated the high court’s pro-slavery ruling in Dred Scott: Ignore it.
“They can do same thing that Abraham Lincoln did about the Dred Scott decision of 1857,” Mr. Huckabee said at the Western Conservative Summit. “The Dred Scott decision said that African-Americans were not fully human, that they need not be treated as fully human.”
“He [Lincoln] simply ignored the ruling and said, ‘That’s not correct,’ ” Mr. Huckabee said. “And by the way, it may sound like, ‘Oh, that’s an extreme position.’ Actually, it’s a constitutional position.
Here’s why: If we acquiesce immediately without review, without the other branches of government, it goes back to my point, that this is judicial tyranny.”
He also said he wanted to warn his liberal friends — “both of them,” he joked — that an activist court can swing the other way.
When that happens, “I hope they remember their jubilation,” Mr. Huckabee said.
Read more here
“They can do same thing that Abraham Lincoln did about the Dred Scott decision of 1857,” Mr. Huckabee said at the Western Conservative Summit. “The Dred Scott decision said that African-Americans were not fully human, that they need not be treated as fully human.”
“He [Lincoln] simply ignored the ruling and said, ‘That’s not correct,’ ” Mr. Huckabee said. “And by the way, it may sound like, ‘Oh, that’s an extreme position.’ Actually, it’s a constitutional position.
Here’s why: If we acquiesce immediately without review, without the other branches of government, it goes back to my point, that this is judicial tyranny.”
He also said he wanted to warn his liberal friends — “both of them,” he joked — that an activist court can swing the other way.
When that happens, “I hope they remember their jubilation,” Mr. Huckabee said.
Read more here
Putin: Who’s ‘Godless’ Now?
MOSCOW — At the height of the Cold War, it was common for American conservatives to label the officially atheist Soviet Union a “godless nation.”
More than two decades on, history has come full circle, as the Kremlin and its allies in the Russian Orthodox Church hurl the same allegation at the West.
“Many Euro-Atlantic countries have moved away from their roots, including Christian values,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a recent keynote speech. “Policies are being pursued that place on the same level a multi-child family and a same-sex partnership, a faith in God and a belief in Satan. This is the path to degradation.”
In his state of the nation address in mid-December, Mr. Putin also portrayed Russia as a staunch defender of “traditional values” against what he depicted as the morally bankrupt West. Social and religious conservatism, the former KGB officer insisted, is the only way to prevent the world from slipping into “chaotic darkness.”
As part of this defense of “Christian values,” Russia has adopted a law banning “homosexual propaganda” and another that makes it a criminal offense to “insult” the religious sensibilities of believers.
Mr. Putin’s views of the West were echoed this month by Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow, the leader of the Orthodox Church, who accused Western countries of engaging in the “spiritual disarmament” of their people.
In particular, Patriarch Kirill criticized laws in several European countries that prevent believers from displaying religious symbols, including crosses on necklaces, at work.
“The general political direction of the [Western political] elite bears, without doubt, an anti-Christian and anti-religious character,” the patriarch said in comments aired on state-controlled television.
“We have been through an epoch of atheism, and we know what it is to live without God,” Patriarch Kirill said. “We want to shout to the whole world, ‘Stop!’”
Other figures within the Orthodox Church have gone further in criticizing the West. Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, a church spokesman, suggested that the modern-day West is no better for a Christian believer than the old Soviet Union.
More here
More than two decades on, history has come full circle, as the Kremlin and its allies in the Russian Orthodox Church hurl the same allegation at the West.
“Many Euro-Atlantic countries have moved away from their roots, including Christian values,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a recent keynote speech. “Policies are being pursued that place on the same level a multi-child family and a same-sex partnership, a faith in God and a belief in Satan. This is the path to degradation.”
In his state of the nation address in mid-December, Mr. Putin also portrayed Russia as a staunch defender of “traditional values” against what he depicted as the morally bankrupt West. Social and religious conservatism, the former KGB officer insisted, is the only way to prevent the world from slipping into “chaotic darkness.”
As part of this defense of “Christian values,” Russia has adopted a law banning “homosexual propaganda” and another that makes it a criminal offense to “insult” the religious sensibilities of believers.
Mr. Putin’s views of the West were echoed this month by Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow, the leader of the Orthodox Church, who accused Western countries of engaging in the “spiritual disarmament” of their people.
In particular, Patriarch Kirill criticized laws in several European countries that prevent believers from displaying religious symbols, including crosses on necklaces, at work.
“The general political direction of the [Western political] elite bears, without doubt, an anti-Christian and anti-religious character,” the patriarch said in comments aired on state-controlled television.
“We have been through an epoch of atheism, and we know what it is to live without God,” Patriarch Kirill said. “We want to shout to the whole world, ‘Stop!’”
Other figures within the Orthodox Church have gone further in criticizing the West. Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, a church spokesman, suggested that the modern-day West is no better for a Christian believer than the old Soviet Union.
More here
Calls Grow For Probe of Clinton's Private Server
Calls for Hillary Clinton to allow a third party to examine her private server grew louder Friday following revelations that she had withheld more than a dozen Benghazi-related emails from the State Department.
"Secretary Clinton's failure to turn over all Benghazi and Libya documents is the reason why we have been calling for an independent, third party review of her server," Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Ga., a member of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, told the Washington Examiner.
"Her unusual email arrangement with herself allowed for Secretary Clinton to pick and choose which emails she deemed work related, and now we know that she failed to be honest and forthcoming with those emails to both the Select Committee and the State Department that were subpoenaed," Westmoreland added.
A State Department spokesman said Friday the agency had no plans to launch a probe of Clinton's private server, on which she hosted both her personal and work-related emails.
But officials did acknowledge that they had no idea whether Clinton submitted all of her work-related emails, as she has claimed to have done.
"This confirms doubts about the completeness of Clinton's self-selected public record and raises serious questions about her decision to erase her personal server — especially before it could be analyzed by an independent, neutral third party arbiter," Rep. Trey Gowdy, chairman of the select committee, said Thursday evening.
Renewed scrutiny of Clinton's private email use bubbled up this week after it became clear that Blumenthal had given Congress 60 emails that the State Department never provided.
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"Secretary Clinton's failure to turn over all Benghazi and Libya documents is the reason why we have been calling for an independent, third party review of her server," Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Ga., a member of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, told the Washington Examiner.
"Her unusual email arrangement with herself allowed for Secretary Clinton to pick and choose which emails she deemed work related, and now we know that she failed to be honest and forthcoming with those emails to both the Select Committee and the State Department that were subpoenaed," Westmoreland added.
A State Department spokesman said Friday the agency had no plans to launch a probe of Clinton's private server, on which she hosted both her personal and work-related emails.
But officials did acknowledge that they had no idea whether Clinton submitted all of her work-related emails, as she has claimed to have done.
"This confirms doubts about the completeness of Clinton's self-selected public record and raises serious questions about her decision to erase her personal server — especially before it could be analyzed by an independent, neutral third party arbiter," Rep. Trey Gowdy, chairman of the select committee, said Thursday evening.
Renewed scrutiny of Clinton's private email use bubbled up this week after it became clear that Blumenthal had given Congress 60 emails that the State Department never provided.
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Former Illinois congressman Reynolds indicted on tax charges
Former U.S. Representative Mel Reynolds, already convicted of having sex with an underage campaign worker, was indicted again for failing to file income tax returns for 2009 through 2012, federal prosecutors said on Friday.
Reynolds, 63, who was charged on Thursday, faces up to a year in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the four counts against him, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago.
He will be arraigned next Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Chicago before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez, according to a court representative.
Reynolds, a Rhodes scholar and one-time promising star of the Democratic Party, was first elected to Congress in 1992.
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Reynolds, 63, who was charged on Thursday, faces up to a year in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the four counts against him, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago.
He will be arraigned next Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Chicago before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez, according to a court representative.
Reynolds, a Rhodes scholar and one-time promising star of the Democratic Party, was first elected to Congress in 1992.
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Child dies in boat race crash
The fatality was confirmed by Maryland Natural Resources Police. Three other accident victims were flown to Shock Trauma. According to the NRP, the U.S. Coast Guard is leading the investigation. The Coast Guard reported Sunday evening that seven other people were injured in the crash.
The accident occurred at 4:45 p.m. during the warmup laps for a race in the Grand National Hydroplane division. The GNH boats were the largest boats in the competition with a minimum length of 20 feet and a 468-cubic-inch engine capable of reaching speeds of 145 mph.
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Pentagon: No Plans to Rename Bases Honoring Confederate Generals
"As of now, there's no discussion of adjusting our current naming policy," which now gives the naming responsibility to the service branches, said Army Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman.
"The Department's position is that the services are ultimately responsible for naming their installations," he said. We have confidence in each of the services to appropriately name their facilities," he said. The services have not indicated any intention to change names, he said.
There was no immediate list available of military facilities with place names or other symbols honoring the South's role in the Civil War, but at least 10 Army bases are named for Confederate leaders, including Robert E. Lee, revered in the South as leader of the Army of Northern Virginia. Besides bases, there is the Lee Barracks at the U.S. Military Academy.
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Three Female Soldiers Begin Second Attempt at Army Ranger School
Three of the original female soldiers to volunteer for U.S. Army Ranger School on Monday took another shot at completing the traditionally all-male infantry course.
All three of the women, who haven’t been identified, passed the Ranger Physical Fitness Assessment, the first obstacle and a requirement to enter the physically and mentally challenging two-month course, according to Col. William Butler, deputy commandant of the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia.
This was the second time the three female officers passed the event that many male soldiers don’t get through. It’s 49 push-ups in two minutes, 59 sit-ups in two minutes and six chin-ups to strict standard, Ranger officials maintain. They also had to complete a five-mile run in 40 minutes.
The one female major and two female first lieutenants failed at two attempts to make it through the first phase of Ranger School, but the trio’s performance impressed the school’s leadership enough to earn a chance to start over from day one.
Fort Benning held its first co-ed course of Army Ranger School on April 20. Nineteen women and 380 men were pre-screened for the combat training program.
By the end of the first week, only eight female soldiers completed the Ranger Assessment Phase, or RAP week. But the remaining eight women weren't able to complete the first phase and advance to the second phase of the course. Instead, they were allowed to repeat the Darby Phase, along with 101 male candidates.
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All three of the women, who haven’t been identified, passed the Ranger Physical Fitness Assessment, the first obstacle and a requirement to enter the physically and mentally challenging two-month course, according to Col. William Butler, deputy commandant of the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia.
This was the second time the three female officers passed the event that many male soldiers don’t get through. It’s 49 push-ups in two minutes, 59 sit-ups in two minutes and six chin-ups to strict standard, Ranger officials maintain. They also had to complete a five-mile run in 40 minutes.
The one female major and two female first lieutenants failed at two attempts to make it through the first phase of Ranger School, but the trio’s performance impressed the school’s leadership enough to earn a chance to start over from day one.
Fort Benning held its first co-ed course of Army Ranger School on April 20. Nineteen women and 380 men were pre-screened for the combat training program.
By the end of the first week, only eight female soldiers completed the Ranger Assessment Phase, or RAP week. But the remaining eight women weren't able to complete the first phase and advance to the second phase of the course. Instead, they were allowed to repeat the Darby Phase, along with 101 male candidates.
More
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