A top Homeland Security official told Border Patrol agents the Obama administration has “no intention of deporting” many of the illegal immigrants caught trying to sneak into the country, ordering instead that they be released so they don’t clog up the courts, a leading advocate for agents testified to Congress.
Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, said the orders are a new “catch and release” policy, which he said “amounts to amnesty” because it means many illegal immigrants are never asked to leave the country.
It also suggests the Border Patrol is being ordered to break President Obama’s own enforcement priorities, which say new illegal immigrants — defined as those who came after Dec. 31, 2013 — are priorities for deportation, and are supposed to be arrested and processed.
Mr. Judd said they took their case directly to Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who told them not to bother.
“Deputy Secretary Mayorkas told us that the Border Patrol needs to focus its resources towards the worst of the worst. He said that by prioritizing those we choose to deport, we will help alleviate the burden on an already overburdened court system,” Mr. Judd recalled.
Mr. Judd, in the written testimony released Monday, said agents have also been ordered not to interview the illegal immigrant children still streaming across the southwest border.
“This is verbal direction from direct supervisors and not a written policy. Agents are being told not to ask why minors are crossing,” he wrote.
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Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Former Lesbian: ‘Five Unelected Judges’ Made Sexual Orientation ‘Our Nation’s Reigning Idol’
(CNSNews.com) – A self-described former lesbian and feminist said on Wednesday that the Supreme Court’s decision in theObergefell v. Hodges case declaring states’ ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, created the “nation’s reigning idol.”
“When five unelected Supreme Court judges appended sexual orientation to the 14th Amendment in the 2015 Obergefell decision declaring state bans on gay marriage unconstitutional, sexual orientation metastasized from a description of perceived sexual desires to our nation’s reigning idol,” Rosaria Butterfield said in a lecture at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C.
“Idols seduce,” Butterfield said. “Idols demand allegiance.
“Idols steal worship from God, and idols destroy faith in God,” Butterfield said.
Butterfield, a former tenured professor at Syracuse University, converted to Christianity in 1999 and has written several books, including “The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert” and “Openness Unhindered, Further Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert on Sexual Identity and Union with Christ.”
“The Obergefell decision established into law the idea that our sexuality is inseparable from our spirit; that it captures the truth about who we really are and that to deny its expression violates the core of our identity,” Butterfield said.
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“When five unelected Supreme Court judges appended sexual orientation to the 14th Amendment in the 2015 Obergefell decision declaring state bans on gay marriage unconstitutional, sexual orientation metastasized from a description of perceived sexual desires to our nation’s reigning idol,” Rosaria Butterfield said in a lecture at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C.
“Idols seduce,” Butterfield said. “Idols demand allegiance.
“Idols steal worship from God, and idols destroy faith in God,” Butterfield said.
Butterfield, a former tenured professor at Syracuse University, converted to Christianity in 1999 and has written several books, including “The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert” and “Openness Unhindered, Further Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert on Sexual Identity and Union with Christ.”
“The Obergefell decision established into law the idea that our sexuality is inseparable from our spirit; that it captures the truth about who we really are and that to deny its expression violates the core of our identity,” Butterfield said.
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Congress to feds: It’s not OK to view porn at work
Yet another member of Congress is pressing the House Appropriations Committee to get tough on federal employees who watch pornography at work.
If it weren’t for a few infamous former Environmental Protection Agency employees, this might be a solution in search of a problem. But Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) said one example is already too many.
In a letter to committee chairman Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) and ranking member Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), Jones said language in the fiscal 2016 omnibus spending bill meant to keep feds from watching porn at work doesn’t apply to all agencies.
Jones said the porn-proscribing clause in the omnibus bill was left out of a part that outlines funding for a division of agencies that includes the departments of Defense, State and Interior.
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If it weren’t for a few infamous former Environmental Protection Agency employees, this might be a solution in search of a problem. But Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) said one example is already too many.
In a letter to committee chairman Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) and ranking member Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), Jones said language in the fiscal 2016 omnibus spending bill meant to keep feds from watching porn at work doesn’t apply to all agencies.
Jones said the porn-proscribing clause in the omnibus bill was left out of a part that outlines funding for a division of agencies that includes the departments of Defense, State and Interior.
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How to Get Retailers to Match Prices
Remember the days when you had to drive from store to store to compare prices, or just go to the retailer that typically had the lowest prices and hope that you were getting the best deal? Those days are over. Now it's as easy as using a smart phone with a price-comparison app, such as RedLaser or ShopSavvy, to scan the barcode of an item and see if another retailer is offering it at a lower price. Then you can simply ask a clerk if the store where you're shopping will match the other retailer's price.
Okay, so maybe it's really not so easy. Plenty of stores have price-matching policies, but sometimes consumers have to jump through a lot of hoops to get retailers to match their competitors' prices. Policies vary from store to store, making it difficult to know what to expect from one to another. And most are fraught with exclusions. So is it worth it to even attempt price matching?
It certainly is if you're buying a big-ticket item and the other store that's selling it for less is miles away - requiring you to give up your time and drain your car's gas tank to get there - says Louis DeNicola, who examined stores' price-matching policies for Cheapism.com. You can improve your chances of a successful price-matching outcome if you follow these tips:
Know stores' requirements. Don't assume that getting a store to match a competitor's price is as easy as showing a sales clerk your phone with the competitor's price displayed on it through an app or online search. Many stores require consumers to show a competitor's print ad with the lower price, DeNicola says. Even at stores that don't require an ad for price matching, such as Walmart, sales clerks sometimes will ask for one, he says. So before you attempt to price match, call the store or check its Web site for its price-match policy to see what proof you need of a competitor's price.
Read more here
Okay, so maybe it's really not so easy. Plenty of stores have price-matching policies, but sometimes consumers have to jump through a lot of hoops to get retailers to match their competitors' prices. Policies vary from store to store, making it difficult to know what to expect from one to another. And most are fraught with exclusions. So is it worth it to even attempt price matching?
It certainly is if you're buying a big-ticket item and the other store that's selling it for less is miles away - requiring you to give up your time and drain your car's gas tank to get there - says Louis DeNicola, who examined stores' price-matching policies for Cheapism.com. You can improve your chances of a successful price-matching outcome if you follow these tips:
Know stores' requirements. Don't assume that getting a store to match a competitor's price is as easy as showing a sales clerk your phone with the competitor's price displayed on it through an app or online search. Many stores require consumers to show a competitor's print ad with the lower price, DeNicola says. Even at stores that don't require an ad for price matching, such as Walmart, sales clerks sometimes will ask for one, he says. So before you attempt to price match, call the store or check its Web site for its price-match policy to see what proof you need of a competitor's price.
Read more here
This Is What Hillary Will Give Illegals If She's Elected
Hillary Clinton wants to use Obamacare to provide health coverage for illegal immigrants.
In an interview with Anderson Cooper as part of CNN’s presidential primetime event Monday, Clinton said, “It’s not only the right and moral thing to do for them, it’s also important that we keep ourselves healthy and public health requires that.”
Cooper asked Clinton, “[A]re you in favor of extending Obamacare to undocumented immigrants” and the former Secretary of State replied, “There are two steps here. If someone can afford to pay for an insurance policy off the exchanges that were set up under the Affordable Care Act, I support that.”
Source: Daily Caller
Four illegal immigrants charged in rape, beating; two were previously deported
Four illegal aliens from Guatemala are charged in the rape of a Massachusetts woman and the vicious beating of her boyfriend, and one of the suspects was arrested less than a month before the attack -- but he was not reported to immigration authorities.
Federal immigration officials have requested detainers on Elmer Diaz, 19, Ariel Diaz, 24, Adan Diaz, 32, and Marlon Josue Jarquin-Felipe, 27, following their arrests in the March 13 incident in Framingham, The Boston Herald reported. The three Diaz men are brothers.
Adan had previously been arrested for drunken driving on Feb. 22 and Ariel was arrested for drunken driving in December, but immigration officials told The Herald they were never made aware that either was in custody. Ariel was also convicted of drunken driving and disorderly conduct and sent back to Guatemala in May 2014, but he re-entered the U.S. at some point, Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Shawn Neudauer told The Herald. Jarquin-Felipe was also deported to Guatemala in 2014, but managed to again cross the border to the U.S. undetected.
More here
Federal immigration officials have requested detainers on Elmer Diaz, 19, Ariel Diaz, 24, Adan Diaz, 32, and Marlon Josue Jarquin-Felipe, 27, following their arrests in the March 13 incident in Framingham, The Boston Herald reported. The three Diaz men are brothers.
Adan had previously been arrested for drunken driving on Feb. 22 and Ariel was arrested for drunken driving in December, but immigration officials told The Herald they were never made aware that either was in custody. Ariel was also convicted of drunken driving and disorderly conduct and sent back to Guatemala in May 2014, but he re-entered the U.S. at some point, Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Shawn Neudauer told The Herald. Jarquin-Felipe was also deported to Guatemala in 2014, but managed to again cross the border to the U.S. undetected.
More here
Veteran Asks Trump for a Job, What He Does Next Is Awesome
Donald J. Trump conducts impromptu job interview during press conference. Full video here: http://cs.pn/1pXCu8b
Posted by C-SPAN on Monday, March 21, 2016
TTYL: Texting Is Disconnecting You From Your Family
While driving the other night, I noticed a couple in the distance. They were taking a relaxing evening stroll. How great that this couple took the time and decided to enjoy each other's company, I thought to myself. Then as I drove by, I noticed that both of them were on their BlackBerries, texting away.
Today we live next to each other, but reside in our very own world.
There have been countless articles discussing the impact of cell phones and texting on our children's lives. Concerned parents attend workshops where we are taught how to monitor access to the internet and movies on our kids' phones. There are worries about compromising pictures that are sent, and the effect of constant texting.
I believe we need to be just as concerned about the family environment we're creating as we parents become addicted to our phones and BlackBerries.
How often do we pick up our children at school holding our phones in one hand and greeting our children with a distracted hello as we finish our conversation? "Just one more minute," we motion, with a cautionary finger pointed in the air.
If we are so fortunate to have children who want to tell us about their day, how can we blow it by texting and talking to those who are not even with us?
How many times do we go to a restaurant and believe that we're spending great family time? But if you look closely, you'll find parents and children alike with their eyes engrossed as they stare downward. Each individual is looking at their screen texting others while ignoring the family that sits right beside them.
Unknowingly, we have built invisible barriers that obstruct our connecting with the ones we are supposed to love most.
More here
Today we live next to each other, but reside in our very own world.
There have been countless articles discussing the impact of cell phones and texting on our children's lives. Concerned parents attend workshops where we are taught how to monitor access to the internet and movies on our kids' phones. There are worries about compromising pictures that are sent, and the effect of constant texting.
I believe we need to be just as concerned about the family environment we're creating as we parents become addicted to our phones and BlackBerries.
How often do we pick up our children at school holding our phones in one hand and greeting our children with a distracted hello as we finish our conversation? "Just one more minute," we motion, with a cautionary finger pointed in the air.
If we are so fortunate to have children who want to tell us about their day, how can we blow it by texting and talking to those who are not even with us?
How many times do we go to a restaurant and believe that we're spending great family time? But if you look closely, you'll find parents and children alike with their eyes engrossed as they stare downward. Each individual is looking at their screen texting others while ignoring the family that sits right beside them.
Unknowingly, we have built invisible barriers that obstruct our connecting with the ones we are supposed to love most.
More here
House Terrorism Chair: Our Strategy Against ISIS Is a Complete Failure
(CNSNews) – In the wake of Tuesday’s deadly terrorist attack in Brussels, the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade called the Obama administration’s strategy against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) “a complete failure.”
“Days after Belgian law enforcement captured alive ISIS terrorist Salah Abdeslam, one of the suspected ringleaders of the deadly Paris attacks, terrorists retaliated in Brussels by launching a series of explosions at the airport and train station. Thirty-four civilians are dead and 170 are injured,” Rep Ted Poe (R-TX) said in a statement Tuesday hours after blasts rocked a terminal of the Brussels’ airport and its subway system.
“Today’s bombings illustrate that ISIS still maintains operational networks in Europe capable of carrying out attacks in the capital of the European Union even as security services are on high alert,” said Poe, who is also a member of the House Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats.
“It is clear that our current strategy against ISIS – which has allowed the terrorist organization to retain a haven from which to plan and launch attacks for nearly two years – is a complete failure and needs to be reassessed.
“Empty words claiming progress and success against ISIS are meaningless in the face of today’s carnage in Brussels. This latest attack is the new normal in Europe and it will come to our soil if our leaders continue to refuse to define the enemy, radical Islam.
“Jihadists have promised to bring terror to the United States and they will deliver on that promise if we do not use our full resources to destroy them,” Poe said.
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“Days after Belgian law enforcement captured alive ISIS terrorist Salah Abdeslam, one of the suspected ringleaders of the deadly Paris attacks, terrorists retaliated in Brussels by launching a series of explosions at the airport and train station. Thirty-four civilians are dead and 170 are injured,” Rep Ted Poe (R-TX) said in a statement Tuesday hours after blasts rocked a terminal of the Brussels’ airport and its subway system.
“Today’s bombings illustrate that ISIS still maintains operational networks in Europe capable of carrying out attacks in the capital of the European Union even as security services are on high alert,” said Poe, who is also a member of the House Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats.
“It is clear that our current strategy against ISIS – which has allowed the terrorist organization to retain a haven from which to plan and launch attacks for nearly two years – is a complete failure and needs to be reassessed.
“Empty words claiming progress and success against ISIS are meaningless in the face of today’s carnage in Brussels. This latest attack is the new normal in Europe and it will come to our soil if our leaders continue to refuse to define the enemy, radical Islam.
“Jihadists have promised to bring terror to the United States and they will deliver on that promise if we do not use our full resources to destroy them,” Poe said.
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Parents, Educators Rally Behind 'Racist' Teacher
Calls for the resignation of a Minnesota superintendent grew on Monday, after a high school teacher was suspended for social media posts deemed racist by the Black Lives Matter activist group.
Theodore "Theo" Olson, a special education teacher at Como Park High School in St. Paul, Minn., was placed on administrative leave March 9 over two posts he wrote on Facebook about student discipline in the school district.
The posts were deemed offensive by former school board candidate turned Black Lives Matter activist Rashad Turner who reportedly accused Olson of being a racist. Turner said Olson’s posts show he is “the epitome of a bad teacher” and a “white supremacist,” EAGnews.org reported.
According to the website, Olson wrote on Facebook, “Anyone care to explain to me the school-to-prison pipeline my colleagues and I have somehow created, or perpetuated, or not done enough to interrupt? Because if you can’t prove it, the campaigns you’ve waged to deconstruct adult authority in my building by enabling student misconduct, you seriously owe us real teachers an apology. Actually, an apology won’t cut it.”
"Phones and iPad devices, used for social media and gaming," wrote Olson. "There have always been rules for ‘devices,’ and defined levels of misconduct. Since we now have no backup, no functional location to send kids who won’t quit gaming, setting up fights, selling drugs, whoring trains, or cyber bullying, we’re screwed, just designing our own classroom rules.”
The group, Black Lives Matter St. Paul, charged that Olson portrayed students as drug dealers and gang bangers in his Facebook posts about a lack of district support in discipline matters, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Black Lives Matter had threatened a “shut-down action” at the school if Olson was not fired, but the group did not follow through with it after Turner reportedly met with St. Paul superintendent Valeria Silva.
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Theodore "Theo" Olson, a special education teacher at Como Park High School in St. Paul, Minn., was placed on administrative leave March 9 over two posts he wrote on Facebook about student discipline in the school district.
The posts were deemed offensive by former school board candidate turned Black Lives Matter activist Rashad Turner who reportedly accused Olson of being a racist. Turner said Olson’s posts show he is “the epitome of a bad teacher” and a “white supremacist,” EAGnews.org reported.
According to the website, Olson wrote on Facebook, “Anyone care to explain to me the school-to-prison pipeline my colleagues and I have somehow created, or perpetuated, or not done enough to interrupt? Because if you can’t prove it, the campaigns you’ve waged to deconstruct adult authority in my building by enabling student misconduct, you seriously owe us real teachers an apology. Actually, an apology won’t cut it.”
"Phones and iPad devices, used for social media and gaming," wrote Olson. "There have always been rules for ‘devices,’ and defined levels of misconduct. Since we now have no backup, no functional location to send kids who won’t quit gaming, setting up fights, selling drugs, whoring trains, or cyber bullying, we’re screwed, just designing our own classroom rules.”
The group, Black Lives Matter St. Paul, charged that Olson portrayed students as drug dealers and gang bangers in his Facebook posts about a lack of district support in discipline matters, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Black Lives Matter had threatened a “shut-down action” at the school if Olson was not fired, but the group did not follow through with it after Turner reportedly met with St. Paul superintendent Valeria Silva.
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After Brussels: Is the Refugeehad Coming Here?
Because this blog is about refugees, I just checked the numbers of Muslim refugees admitted to the US since Obama was elected (but this has been going on for at least a decade before that through the George W. Bush Presidency as well!).
The number of Muslim refugees totaled 154,160 (in a total refugee count of just short of a half million for all religious persuasions) since the fall of 2008 (to March 15, 2016).
They break down like this: 69,400 Moslems (sect not specified), 33,000 Shiite Moslems, and 51,760 Sunni Moslems. That is just in less than 8 years!
Those numbers do not include all the Muslims who came in through the Diversity Visa Lottery, those who are here in Temporary Protected Status, Student visa holders and the list goes on. And, it doesn’t include all of those who have entered the US illegally and then applied for asylum!
While this is a terrifying scenario, it's also worth noting that America has both a massive national security apparatus and greater economic opportunities for immigrants than most European nations, who have disregarded their own national security and culture for too long and let America do all the heavy lifting. Still, with a President who's more concerned with whether or not our policies offend Muslims than whether or not they keep us safe, it could only be a matter of time.
Source: AAN
The Sad Truth About the VA
What would it take for you to get fired from your job? Regularly showing up late? Stealing your coworkers lunch? There are all sorts of ways to get fired in the private sector, and in today's rough and tumble Obama economy, many of us have become all too familiar with them.
But what if you were charged with taking care of America's Veterans? Well, then you can get away with literally anything:
"Today's announcement from VA that no one will be seriously disciplined for wasting more than $1 billion on a failed construction project and that a few executives might receive a weak slap on the wrist or a temporary written warning for a relocation scandal that cost taxpayers more than $400,000 is more proof of this sad fact," Miller said in a statement late Tuesday.
The project is known as "the biggest construction failure in VA history" and its cost has tripled from its original $604 million budget.
The VA announced Tuesday afternoon that the four leaders at the Veterans Benefits Administration who mismanaged the Denver hospital replacement project would receive suspensions and be reprimanded for their misuse of taxpayer funds.
Another day, another government employee getting away with highway robbery.
Source: AAN
Who Sabotaged the Plan to Topple Trump?
This was not lost on Ted Cruz, a candidate whose appeal seems more limited to deep red areas of the country. Cruz is trying to knock off frontrunner Donald Trump, and it seems as if he had a strategy in mind to do it: a unity ticket with Rubio to stand against Trump. Theoretically, the sum of their votes could be exactly what it takes to defeat the Donald. There's just one problem: Rubio isn't interested. As Politico notes:
Ted Cruz’s campaign has been exploring the possibility of forming a unity ticket with ex-rival Marco Rubio — going so far as to conduct polling looking into how the two would perform in upcoming primary states.
The motivation, hashed out in conversations among Cruz’s top aides and donors: to find a way to halt Donald Trump’s march to the Republican nomination.
It’s unclear whether Cruz’s campaign brass views a partnership with Rubio as realistic or quixotic. In Rubio’s orbit, according to three sources, it’s seen as an outright nonstarter — with Rubio telling his team that he isn’t interested.
Yet in recent weeks, within Cruz’s camp, talk of a joint ticket has run rampant. Utah Republican Mike Lee, one of two senators to endorse Cruz, has emerged as an outspoken supporter of a unity ticket — and as a potential broker. The freshman senator, according to several sources briefed on the talks, has reached out repeatedly to Rubio to gauge his interest, but has been rebuffed.
For all the talk from Trump opponents about how key it is for the GOP to stand together to defeat Trump- a concept the voters don't seem to agree with- it's remarkable that these candidates can't seem to get over their petty differences and come together. In fact, it perfectly illustrates why Trump is so popular.
Source: AAN
Which Candidate Cleaned Up Last Night?
In Arizona, Trump won 47 percent of the vote, while Cruz took 25 percent. John Kasich received 10 percent of the vote. Voters dissatisfied with those choices turned out in large numbers for Marco Rubio, who received 14 percent of the vote. Perhaps that should be a signal to Governor Kasich that it's time to get out.
In Utah, Cruz took an astounding 69 percent of the vote, with Kasich getting 17 and Trump 14. Trump ended the night with 58 delegates, while Cruz received 40, maintaining his second place position.
Source: AAN
Subject: Bill Clinton: We Need To Put The 'Awful Legacy' Of Obama Years Behind Us
Former President Bill Clinton ridiculed Barack Obama on Monday calling for people to get to a “point where we can put the awful legacy of the last eight years behind us.”
During a campaign rally in Spokane, Washington, the former president said that Hillary is “the only person who basically has good ideas, will tell you how she’s going to pay for them, can be commander-in-chief, and is a proven change maker with Republicans and Democrats and independents alike.”
Clinton praised his wife claiming that “from the time I met her 45 years ago until we talked yesterday, she is the best change maker I have ever known. She always finds a way to make something good happen, to make people feel empowered, to buy people into the process, to make democracy work the way the framers intended for it to work.”
“Now if you don’t believe we can all grow together again, if you don’t believe we’re ever going to grow again, if you believe it’s more important to re-litigate the past, there may be many reasons that you don’t want to support her,” the former president said.
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During a campaign rally in Spokane, Washington, the former president said that Hillary is “the only person who basically has good ideas, will tell you how she’s going to pay for them, can be commander-in-chief, and is a proven change maker with Republicans and Democrats and independents alike.”
Clinton praised his wife claiming that “from the time I met her 45 years ago until we talked yesterday, she is the best change maker I have ever known. She always finds a way to make something good happen, to make people feel empowered, to buy people into the process, to make democracy work the way the framers intended for it to work.”
“Now if you don’t believe we can all grow together again, if you don’t believe we’re ever going to grow again, if you believe it’s more important to re-litigate the past, there may be many reasons that you don’t want to support her,” the former president said.
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Troopers Investigate Single Vehicle Fatal Crash East of Laurel
Laurel, DE – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a single vehicle crash that killed one person.
The incident occurred around 9:41 p.m. Tuesday March 22, 2016 as Scot A. Adkins, 34 of Delmar, Delaware, was operating a 1995 Honda Odyssey westbound on County Seat Highway (US9) approaching the intersection with Firetower Road. For unknown reasons, the Odyssey crossed the eastbound lane and exited the roadway where it struck a tree with its left side. After the impact, the Honda rotated counterclockwise and overturned before coming to rest in the middle of the roadway, upright on its wheels.
Scot Adkins was the lone occupant and was not properly restrained. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor in this case. US9 at Firetower Road was closed for approximately three and a half hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.
The incident occurred around 9:41 p.m. Tuesday March 22, 2016 as Scot A. Adkins, 34 of Delmar, Delaware, was operating a 1995 Honda Odyssey westbound on County Seat Highway (US9) approaching the intersection with Firetower Road. For unknown reasons, the Odyssey crossed the eastbound lane and exited the roadway where it struck a tree with its left side. After the impact, the Honda rotated counterclockwise and overturned before coming to rest in the middle of the roadway, upright on its wheels.
Scot Adkins was the lone occupant and was not properly restrained. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor in this case. US9 at Firetower Road was closed for approximately three and a half hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.
Jeb Bush Backs Ted Cruz
Jeb Bush endorsed Ted Cruz for president on Wednesday, in an effort to help Republicans unite against Donald Trump's campaign.
"Today, I am endorsing Ted Cruz for President," the former Florida governor said in a statement. "Ted is a consistent, principled conservative who has demonstrated the ability to appeal to voters and win primary contests. Washington is broken, and the only way Republicans can hope to win back the White House and put our nation on a better path is to support a nominee who can articulate how conservative policies will help people rise up and reach their full potential."
Bush sparred with Trump throughout his entire campaign before dropping out, and Cruz is essentially the last man standing against Trump's juggernaut campaign. Republicans are hoping to prevent Trump from obtaining the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the nomination ahead of the party's July convention in Cleveland. Currently, the billionaire businessman has 739, followed by Cruz with 465 and Ohio Gov. John Kasich with 143.
"For the sake of our party and country, we must move to overcome the divisiveness and vulgarity Donald Trump has brought into the political arena, or we will certainly lose our chance to defeat the Democratic nominee and reverse President Obama's failed policies," Bush added.
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"Today, I am endorsing Ted Cruz for President," the former Florida governor said in a statement. "Ted is a consistent, principled conservative who has demonstrated the ability to appeal to voters and win primary contests. Washington is broken, and the only way Republicans can hope to win back the White House and put our nation on a better path is to support a nominee who can articulate how conservative policies will help people rise up and reach their full potential."
Bush sparred with Trump throughout his entire campaign before dropping out, and Cruz is essentially the last man standing against Trump's juggernaut campaign. Republicans are hoping to prevent Trump from obtaining the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the nomination ahead of the party's July convention in Cleveland. Currently, the billionaire businessman has 739, followed by Cruz with 465 and Ohio Gov. John Kasich with 143.
"For the sake of our party and country, we must move to overcome the divisiveness and vulgarity Donald Trump has brought into the political arena, or we will certainly lose our chance to defeat the Democratic nominee and reverse President Obama's failed policies," Bush added.
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Supreme Court Throws Out Ruling Upholding Stun Gun Carry Ban
The justices ordered the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts to rehear Caetano v. Massachusetts, reasserting two key gun rights rulings. The Massachusetts court had ruled against Jaime Caetano after she was convicted of carrying a stun gun she had acquired to protect herself from an abusive ex-boyfriend. The court reasoned that stun guns “were not in common use at the time of the Second Amendment’s enactment” and, therefore, not protected by the amendment.
The Supreme Court rebuked the lower court for straying from the precedent set by the high court in both District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago. In Heller, the court established that Second Amendment protections extend to arms that did not exist at the time of the founding. In McDonald, the court extended that standard to the state level.
The Supreme Court ordered the Massachusetts court to rule in a manner consistent with the high court’s precedents when it rehears the case.
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas issued a separate but concurring opinion on the case. They accused the lower court of openly defying the precedents set by the high court.
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Subject: Email Campaign Calls for CNN to Terminate Pro-Trump Analysts
Supporters of the civil rights organization ColorofChange have sent over 20,000 emails to CNN calling for the news network to terminate commentators Jeff Lord and Andy Dean for the analysts' "steadfast" support of Donald Trump.
"When CNN pays people like Jeffrey Lord and Andy Dean to defend and make excuses for Trump's racist and violent message CNN is anything but unbiased, and ends up validating Trump's violent message for millions of viewers," said ColorofChange director Rashad Robinson in a press release about the campaign.
Robinson said CNN was "shaping the perceptions" of viewers by featuring Lord and Dean, analysts who "defend Trump's "violent message."
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"When CNN pays people like Jeffrey Lord and Andy Dean to defend and make excuses for Trump's racist and violent message CNN is anything but unbiased, and ends up validating Trump's violent message for millions of viewers," said ColorofChange director Rashad Robinson in a press release about the campaign.
Robinson said CNN was "shaping the perceptions" of viewers by featuring Lord and Dean, analysts who "defend Trump's "violent message."
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Cruz on Attacks: 'Empower' Police 'To Patrol and Secure Muslim Neighborhoods'
(CNSNews) -- In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Brussels, Belgium, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said it is necessary to stop the flow of refugees from countries with a major Islamic State or al Qaeda presence, and law enforcement in the United States must be empowered "to patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized."
"Today radical Islamic terrorists targeted the men and women of Brussels as they went to work on a spring morning," said Senator Cruz in a March 22 post on Facebook. "In a series of co-ordinated attacks they murdered and maimed dozens of innocent commuters at subway stations and travelers at the airport. For the terrorists, the identities of the victims were irrelevant. They -- we -- are all part of an intolerable culture that they have vowed to destroy."
"For years, the west has tried to deny this enemy exists out of a combination of political correctness and fear," he said. "We can no longer afford either. Our European allies are now seeing what comes of a toxic mix of migrants who have been infiltrated by terrorists and isolated, radical Muslim neighborhoods. We will do what we can to help them fight this scourge, and redouble our efforts to make sure it does not happen here."
"We need to immediately halt the flow of refugees from countries with a significant al Qaida or ISIS presence," said Sen. Cruz. "We need to empower law enforcement to patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized."
More here
"Today radical Islamic terrorists targeted the men and women of Brussels as they went to work on a spring morning," said Senator Cruz in a March 22 post on Facebook. "In a series of co-ordinated attacks they murdered and maimed dozens of innocent commuters at subway stations and travelers at the airport. For the terrorists, the identities of the victims were irrelevant. They -- we -- are all part of an intolerable culture that they have vowed to destroy."
"For years, the west has tried to deny this enemy exists out of a combination of political correctness and fear," he said. "We can no longer afford either. Our European allies are now seeing what comes of a toxic mix of migrants who have been infiltrated by terrorists and isolated, radical Muslim neighborhoods. We will do what we can to help them fight this scourge, and redouble our efforts to make sure it does not happen here."
"We need to immediately halt the flow of refugees from countries with a significant al Qaida or ISIS presence," said Sen. Cruz. "We need to empower law enforcement to patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized."
More here
Trump Says Israel ‘Can Pay’ for Own Defense Needs
Ahead of his speech at the pro-Israel AIPAC conference on Monday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said at a press conference that Israel “can pay and they can pay big” to defend itself without receiving U.S. foreign aid.
Trump held the press conference in the atrium of his still-under-construction Trump International Hotel, and though he had come directly from a closed-door meeting with congressional Republicans, his initial comments were focused solely on how luxurious his hotel would be once it was completed and how it would be covered in “beautiful marble from different parts of the world.”
Trump, standing behind a “Trump Hotels” lectern, was surprised that the first question asked was not on the hotel but rather about who joined him at his secretive meeting with Republican insiders on Capitol Hill.
“That has nothing to do with this, but that’s OK,” said Trump, gesturing towards the architecture he had spent the initial five minutes explaining.
Trump did not provide names of people that were at his meeting at D.C. law firm Jones Day but said that his campaign would provide a full list in the near future.
With his speech at AIPAC looming, Trump was asked numerous times for details on his policy towards Israel.
When he was asked whether Israel was included in the countries like Germany, Japan, and South Korea that Trump has said should not receive foreign aid because they can pay to defend themselves, Trump said, “I think Israel will do that also, yeah.”
“I think that Israel will—there are many countries that can pay and can pay big,” he said.
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Trump held the press conference in the atrium of his still-under-construction Trump International Hotel, and though he had come directly from a closed-door meeting with congressional Republicans, his initial comments were focused solely on how luxurious his hotel would be once it was completed and how it would be covered in “beautiful marble from different parts of the world.”
Trump, standing behind a “Trump Hotels” lectern, was surprised that the first question asked was not on the hotel but rather about who joined him at his secretive meeting with Republican insiders on Capitol Hill.
“That has nothing to do with this, but that’s OK,” said Trump, gesturing towards the architecture he had spent the initial five minutes explaining.
Trump did not provide names of people that were at his meeting at D.C. law firm Jones Day but said that his campaign would provide a full list in the near future.
With his speech at AIPAC looming, Trump was asked numerous times for details on his policy towards Israel.
When he was asked whether Israel was included in the countries like Germany, Japan, and South Korea that Trump has said should not receive foreign aid because they can pay to defend themselves, Trump said, “I think Israel will do that also, yeah.”
“I think that Israel will—there are many countries that can pay and can pay big,” he said.
More
Trump Vows to Move US Embassy to Jerusalem in AIPAC Speech
Donald Trump vowed that as president he would move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and scrap the Iran nuclear deal in a speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference on Monday.
In pre-written remarks—a departure from Trump’s typically improvisational style—the Republican presidential candidate said that his “number one priority is to dismantle the disastrous deal with Iran.”
“I’m a deal-maker, and let me tell you this deal is catastrophic for America, for Israel, and for the whole of the Middle East,” said Trump. “Iran is the biggest sponsor of terrorism around the world and we will work to dismantle that reach, believe me, believe me.”
Trump also said he had “studied this issue in great detail, I would say far greater than anyone,” prompting laughs from the audience.
Despite anti-Trump protests outside and a walkout from the auditorium, the candidate’s speech was warmly received by the AIPAC crowd. While a handful of audience members appeared to leave before his remarks, the protest was insignificant in a nearly-full venue, which seats about 20,000.
One of the biggest applause lines was Trump’s promise to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“We will move the U.S. embassy to the eternal capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem,” said Trump. “I love the people in this room, I love Israel.”
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In pre-written remarks—a departure from Trump’s typically improvisational style—the Republican presidential candidate said that his “number one priority is to dismantle the disastrous deal with Iran.”
“I’m a deal-maker, and let me tell you this deal is catastrophic for America, for Israel, and for the whole of the Middle East,” said Trump. “Iran is the biggest sponsor of terrorism around the world and we will work to dismantle that reach, believe me, believe me.”
Trump also said he had “studied this issue in great detail, I would say far greater than anyone,” prompting laughs from the audience.
Despite anti-Trump protests outside and a walkout from the auditorium, the candidate’s speech was warmly received by the AIPAC crowd. While a handful of audience members appeared to leave before his remarks, the protest was insignificant in a nearly-full venue, which seats about 20,000.
One of the biggest applause lines was Trump’s promise to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“We will move the U.S. embassy to the eternal capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem,” said Trump. “I love the people in this room, I love Israel.”
More
Flight attendant flees security check, leaves 70 pounds of cocaine behind
Authorities are looking for a flight attendant who they say fled Los Angeles International Airport after being selected for a random security screening Friday, leaving behind almost 70 pounds of cocaine stashed in her luggage.
The unidentified woman remained at large Monday. It was not immediately clear which airline she worked for.
Marshall McClain, president of the union representing the airport's police officers, said the woman was was sent to a secondary screening area, but she quickly dropped her bag, ditched a pair of Gucci heels and fled barefoot down an upward-moving escalator.
Police called to investigate the unattended bag found 69 pounds of cocaine inside.
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The unidentified woman remained at large Monday. It was not immediately clear which airline she worked for.
Marshall McClain, president of the union representing the airport's police officers, said the woman was was sent to a secondary screening area, but she quickly dropped her bag, ditched a pair of Gucci heels and fled barefoot down an upward-moving escalator.
Police called to investigate the unattended bag found 69 pounds of cocaine inside.
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Why Marijuana Businesses Still Can’t Get Bank Accounts
DENVER — Tim Cullen’s marijuana business brought in millions of dollars last year, but he’s had a hard time finding a bank to take the money. He’s cycled through 14 checking accounts in six years. Recently, he said, a bank shut down all his personal accounts, including college savings for his 3-year-old daughter.
Federal law prohibits banks and credit unions from taking marijuana money. So here in Colorado, everyone involved with the state’s legal cannabis industry has a banking problem. Businesses can’t get loans, customers have to pay in cash, and state tax collectors are processing bags of bills.
Some community financial institutions have become more open to serving the cannabis industry since the U.S. Treasury and Justice departments said they won’t go after institutions that keep a close eye on their clients and report suspected wrongdoing, such as funding gang activity.
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Federal law prohibits banks and credit unions from taking marijuana money. So here in Colorado, everyone involved with the state’s legal cannabis industry has a banking problem. Businesses can’t get loans, customers have to pay in cash, and state tax collectors are processing bags of bills.
Some community financial institutions have become more open to serving the cannabis industry since the U.S. Treasury and Justice departments said they won’t go after institutions that keep a close eye on their clients and report suspected wrongdoing, such as funding gang activity.
More
Never Stand in Line
Secrets of the
Secret Service
Very interesting but not surprising.
Scroll down to read what Kessler thinks of the presidents he served.
And now, you'll know the rest of the story.
Interesting snippets from Ronald Kessler's book about our presidents.
JOHN & JACQUELINE KENNEDY
*He was a philanderer of the highest order.
*She ordered the kitchen help to save
*She ordered the kitchen help to save
all the left-over wine from State dinners,
mixed it with fresh wine and served again
during the next White House occasion.*
LYNDON & LADYBIRD JOHNSON
LBJ was as crude as the day is long.
LBJ was as crude as the day is long.
Both JFK and LBJ kept a lot of women in the White House
for extramarital affairs and both had set up
early warning systems to alert them
if/when their wives were nearby.
Both were promiscuous and oversexed men.*
*She was either naive or just pretended
*She was either naive or just pretended
to not know about her husband's many liaisons.*
RICHARD & PAT NIXON
*A "moral" man but very odd, weird, paranoid.
*A "moral" man but very odd, weird, paranoid.
He had a horrible relationship with his family
and was almost a recluse.*
*She was quiet most of the time.*
*She was quiet most of the time.*
SPIRO AGNEW
*Nice, decent man.
*Nice, decent man.
Everyone in the Secret Service
was surprised by his downfall.*
GERALD & BETTY FORD
*A true gentlemen who treated the Secret Service
*A true gentlemen who treated the Secret Service
with respect and dignity. He had a great sense of humor. *
*She drank a lot!*
*She drank a lot!*
JIMMY & ROSALYN CARTER
*A complete phony who would portray one picture of himself to public
*A complete phony who would portray one picture of himself to public
and very different in private e.g. would be shown carrying
his own luggage but the suitcases were always empty.
He kept empty ones just for photo ops.
He wanted people to see him as pious and a non-drinker
but he and his family drank alcohol a lot!
He had disdain for the Secret Service
and was very irresponsible with the "football" with nuclear codes.
He didn't think it was a big deal
and would keep military aides at a great distance.
Often did not acknowledge the presence of
Secret Service personnel assigned to serve him.*
*She mostly did her own thing.*
*She mostly did her own thing.*
RONALD & NANCY REAGAN
*The real deal, moral, honest, respectful and dignified.
*The real deal, moral, honest, respectful and dignified.
They treated Secret Service and everyone else with respect and honor,
thanked everyone all the time.
He took the time to know everyone on a personal level.
One favorite story was early in his Presidency
when he came out of his room with a pistol tucked on his hip.
The agent in charge asked: "Why the pistol, Mr. President?"
He replied, "In case you boys can't get the job done, I can help."
It was common for him to carry a pistol.
When he met with Gorbachev, he had a pistol in his briefcase.
*She was very nice but very protective of the President
*She was very nice but very protective of the President
and the Secret Service was often caught in the middle.
She tried hard to control what he ate.
He would say to the agent, "Come on, you gotta help me out."
The Reagan's drank wine during State dinners
and special occasions only otherwise they shunned alcohol.
The Secret Service could count on one hand the times
they were served wine during family dinner.
For all the fake bluster of the Carters,
the Reagan's were the ones who lived life as genuinely moral people.*
GEORGE W. & LAURA BUSH
*The Secret Service loved him and Laura Bush.
*The Secret Service loved him and Laura Bush.
He was also the most physically in shape
who had a very strict workout regimen.
The Bushes made sure their entire administrative
and household staff understood that they were to respec
t and be considerate of the Secret Service.*
*She was one of the nicest First Ladies, if not the nicest.
*She was one of the nicest First Ladies, if not the nicest.
She never had any harsh word to say about anyone.*
BILL & HILLARY CLINTON
*Presidency was one giant party. Not trustworthy.
*Presidency was one giant party. Not trustworthy.
He was nice mainly because he wanted everyone to like him
but to him life is just one big game and party.
Everyone knows about his sexuality.*
*She is another phony. Her personality would change
*She is another phony. Her personality would change
the instant cameras were near. She hated,
with open disdain the military and Secret Service.
She was another who felt people were there to serve her.
She was always trying to keep tabs on Bill Clinton.*
ALBERT GORE
*An egotistical ass who was once overheard by his Secret Service
*An egotistical ass who was once overheard by his Secret Service
detail lecturing his son that he needed to do better in school
or he would end up like these guys, pointing to the agents.*
GEORGE H. & BARBARA BUSH
*Extremely kind and considerate, always respectful.
*Extremely kind and considerate, always respectful.
Took great care in making sure the agents' comforts were taken care of.
They even brought them meals.
One time she brought warm clothes to agents
standing outside at Kennebunkport.
One was given a warm hat and, when he tried to say "no thanks"
even though he was obviously freezing, the President said
"Son, don't argue with the First Lady. Put the hat on."
He was the most prompt of the Presidents.
He ran the White House like a well-oiled machine.*
*She ruled the house and spoke her mind.*
*She ruled the house and spoke her mind.*
*BARACK & MICHELLE OBAMA
*Clinton all over again - hates the military
*Clinton all over again - hates the military
and looks down on the Secret Service.
He is egotistical and cunning.
He looks you in the eye and appears to agree with you
but turns around and does the opposite. He has temper tantrums.*
*She is a complete bitch who basically hates anybody who is not black,
*She is a complete bitch who basically hates anybody who is not black,
hates the military and looks at the Secret Service as servants.*
A ‘TRUE STORY ABOUT’ General McChrystal's resignation
in Obama's office from General McChrystal's book!
NEVER STAND IN LINE AGAIN
Some men carry and handle their diplomacy better than others.
When former U.S. Military commander in Afghanistan, General McChrystal,
was called into the Oval Office by Barack Obama,
he knew things weren't going to go well
when the President accused him of not supporting him
in his political role as President.
"It's not my job to support you as a politician, Mr. President,
it's my job to support you as Commander-in-Chief,"
McChrystal replied, and he handed Obama his resignation.
Not satisfied with accepting McChrystal's resignation,
the President made a cheap parting shot.
"I bet when I die you'll be happy to piss on my grave."
The General saluted and said,
"Mr. President, I always told myself after leaving the Army
I'd never stand in line again.
Apple CEO Tim Cook: Nation Needs To Decide How Much Power Government Has Over Data, Privacy
Apple CEO Tim Cook used today’s press event for the new iPhone to once again make his case against court orders trying compel Apple to aid law enforcement in unlocking iPhones belonging to criminal suspects.
Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford dies at 46 after battle with cancer
Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford-- whose tenure was marred by revelations about his drinking problems and illegal drug use -- died Tuesday at 46 after a battle with cancer, his family says.
Ford was diagnosed with cancer in September 2014. The illness forced him to withdraw his bid for re-election as mayor and he ran instead for a city council seat, winning in a landslide despite his notoriety.
“With heavy hearts and profound sadness, the Ford family announces the passing of their beloved son, brother, husband, and father, Councillor Rob Ford earlier today at the age of 46,” his office announced in a statement.
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Ford was diagnosed with cancer in September 2014. The illness forced him to withdraw his bid for re-election as mayor and he ran instead for a city council seat, winning in a landslide despite his notoriety.
“With heavy hearts and profound sadness, the Ford family announces the passing of their beloved son, brother, husband, and father, Councillor Rob Ford earlier today at the age of 46,” his office announced in a statement.
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Trump, Clinton win Arizona prize; rivals notch victories in Utah, Idaho
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton padded their delegate totals with convincing wins in the valuable Arizona primary Tuesday night – but their respective rivals, Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders, kept the race alive with victories in the Utah and Idaho caucuses.
The Associated Press projected Vermont Sen. Sanders and Texas Sen. Cruz the winners of the Utah contest early Wednesday morning. Idaho’s Democratic-only caucuses were called for Sanders.
Though Arizona was the biggest prize on the map in Tuesday's Western contests, Sanders and Cruz won their states by huge, double-digit margins. Cruz took all of Utah's delegates by finishing with more than 50 percent of the vote.
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The Associated Press projected Vermont Sen. Sanders and Texas Sen. Cruz the winners of the Utah contest early Wednesday morning. Idaho’s Democratic-only caucuses were called for Sanders.
Though Arizona was the biggest prize on the map in Tuesday's Western contests, Sanders and Cruz won their states by huge, double-digit margins. Cruz took all of Utah's delegates by finishing with more than 50 percent of the vote.
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