While Democrats were sleeping and ruining Christmas for everyone else President Trump announced new changes to United States immigration procedures.
This is a much larger shift in policy than was originally reported by The Gateway Pundit back in November
Without much media fanfare President Trump ended George W. Bush and Barack Obama’s insane catch-and-release policies.
From now on illegal aliens caught entering the United States will be sent to wait in Mexico while their applications are processed. Once their “notice to appear” is available they will allowed in to attend their court hearing. Aliens without valid claims will be deported to their home countries.
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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
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Teacher Raped By Student Could Get $3 Million
A teacher raped by a student in September 2014 could get $3 million after a Florida school district failed to inform the teacher about the student’s troubled history.
The School Board of Miami-Dade County paid $200,000 to the teacher, identified as Jane Doe, as part of a $3 million settlement deal for the 2016 civil lawsuit. The district is seeking approval to pay the rest as government organizations are required to have legislative permission to pay anything that is more than $200,000 in damages. The school district’s insurer paid $1.5 million, the Miami New Times reported Wednesday.
Broward County Democratic state Sen. Perry Thurston filed a bill on Dec. 13 so the school district could pay $1.3 million if passed.
Doe was originally hired to work with elementary and middle school deaf students in the district in 2012, according to the Miami New Times. She was assigned to teach students with behavior and emotional disorders at South Dade Senior High School in August 2014, even though she did not have the license or self-defense training needed to handle such students.
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The School Board of Miami-Dade County paid $200,000 to the teacher, identified as Jane Doe, as part of a $3 million settlement deal for the 2016 civil lawsuit. The district is seeking approval to pay the rest as government organizations are required to have legislative permission to pay anything that is more than $200,000 in damages. The school district’s insurer paid $1.5 million, the Miami New Times reported Wednesday.
Broward County Democratic state Sen. Perry Thurston filed a bill on Dec. 13 so the school district could pay $1.3 million if passed.
Doe was originally hired to work with elementary and middle school deaf students in the district in 2012, according to the Miami New Times. She was assigned to teach students with behavior and emotional disorders at South Dade Senior High School in August 2014, even though she did not have the license or self-defense training needed to handle such students.
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Breakthrough: Chinese Scientists Turn Copper Into 'Gold'
A team of Chinese researchers from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Liaoning, has transformed copper into a new material “almost identical” to gold, according to a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances, and first reported by the South China Morning Post on Saturday.
Professor Sun Jian and his team of scientist blasted a copper target with a stream of hot, electrically charged argon gas. The fast-moving ionized particles smashed the copper atoms. The atoms cooled and condensed on the surface of a collecting device, producing a thin layer of sand.
South China Morning Post said each grain of sand measured a few nanometers, or a thousandth of the size of a bacterium.
The researchers placed the material in a reaction chamber and used it as a catalyst to turn coal to alcohol, a complex and intricate chemical process that only precious metals can handle efficiently.
"The copper nanoparticles achieved catalytic performance extremely similar to that of gold or silver,” Sun said in a statement on Saturday.
“The results … proved that after processing, metal copper can transform from ‘chicken’ to ‘phoenix’,”claimed Sun, who was not available for comment.
Copper has a similar weight and looks to gold.
The research paper notes that the new material based on copper can replace gold and silver in the manufacturing process of electronic devices, which requires significant amounts of precious metals.
More
Professor Sun Jian and his team of scientist blasted a copper target with a stream of hot, electrically charged argon gas. The fast-moving ionized particles smashed the copper atoms. The atoms cooled and condensed on the surface of a collecting device, producing a thin layer of sand.
South China Morning Post said each grain of sand measured a few nanometers, or a thousandth of the size of a bacterium.
The researchers placed the material in a reaction chamber and used it as a catalyst to turn coal to alcohol, a complex and intricate chemical process that only precious metals can handle efficiently.
"The copper nanoparticles achieved catalytic performance extremely similar to that of gold or silver,” Sun said in a statement on Saturday.
“The results … proved that after processing, metal copper can transform from ‘chicken’ to ‘phoenix’,”claimed Sun, who was not available for comment.
Copper has a similar weight and looks to gold.
The research paper notes that the new material based on copper can replace gold and silver in the manufacturing process of electronic devices, which requires significant amounts of precious metals.
More
Petition Drive Underway To Stop OC’s Property Buy
OCEAN CITY — A petition drive is underway in an attempt to circumvent the Town of Ocean City’s attempt to acquire the World Gym property at 67thStreet.
Last week, the Mayor and Council approved on second reading an ordinance that would authorize the city to purchase the existing World Gym property at 67th Street for a little over $1.2 million. The 18,000-square-foot parcel is one piece of a larger collection of properties sought by the city for a future water treatment plant.
The existing water treatment plant at 44th Street has been in service for over six decades and has outlived its useful life, according to city officials. To that end, the city has been piece-meal purchasing parcels in the area of 67th Street for the purpose of planning and ultimately building a new water treatment plant. The city has already purchased the old Elks Lodge property in the area of 67th Street for the same purpose.
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Last week, the Mayor and Council approved on second reading an ordinance that would authorize the city to purchase the existing World Gym property at 67th Street for a little over $1.2 million. The 18,000-square-foot parcel is one piece of a larger collection of properties sought by the city for a future water treatment plant.
The existing water treatment plant at 44th Street has been in service for over six decades and has outlived its useful life, according to city officials. To that end, the city has been piece-meal purchasing parcels in the area of 67th Street for the purpose of planning and ultimately building a new water treatment plant. The city has already purchased the old Elks Lodge property in the area of 67th Street for the same purpose.
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Trump to Democrats: Gov shutdown until we have wall
President Trump has a Christmas message for Democrats – the government is going to remain partially shut down “until we have a wall [or] fence.”
Trump, speaking to reporters Tuesday in the Oval Office during the fourth day of the impasse, also revealed that he will be going to the border in Texas for a “groundbreaking” ceremony for a portion of the project at the end of January.
“While we’re fighting over funding, we’re also building, and it’s my hope to have this done, completed, all 500 to 550 miles, to have it either renovated or brand new by Election Day,” he said.
Democrats, though, remain opposed to approving additional funding for a border wall as part of a new government spending package -- and their hand only strengthens once the party takes control of the House next month. The White House warned over the weekend that the shutdown standoff could extend into the new year, and Trump on Tuesday made clear he's not planning to budge either.
“I can’t tell you when the government is going to be open,” Trump said. “I can tell you it's not going to be open until we have a wall, a fence, whatever they want to call it.
“It’s a barrier from people pouring into our country,” he added. “It’s a barrier from drugs.”
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Trump, speaking to reporters Tuesday in the Oval Office during the fourth day of the impasse, also revealed that he will be going to the border in Texas for a “groundbreaking” ceremony for a portion of the project at the end of January.
“While we’re fighting over funding, we’re also building, and it’s my hope to have this done, completed, all 500 to 550 miles, to have it either renovated or brand new by Election Day,” he said.
Democrats, though, remain opposed to approving additional funding for a border wall as part of a new government spending package -- and their hand only strengthens once the party takes control of the House next month. The White House warned over the weekend that the shutdown standoff could extend into the new year, and Trump on Tuesday made clear he's not planning to budge either.
“I can’t tell you when the government is going to be open,” Trump said. “I can tell you it's not going to be open until we have a wall, a fence, whatever they want to call it.
“It’s a barrier from people pouring into our country,” he added. “It’s a barrier from drugs.”
More
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps-christmas-message-to-democrats-government-shutdown-will-last-until-we-have-a-wall
Obamacare cannot stand without its mandate
A federal judge in Texas recently struck down Obamacare as unconstitutional. He’s entirely correct.
With Republicans eliminating the individual mandate, what remains of Obamacare cannot stand on its own. It’s like a bar stool with only two legs.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) made patients less safe (byrestricting choice of doctor/treatment) and healthcare more expensive. But the problem it was originally intended to address was very real. Millions of Americans were going without insurance,getting sick, clogging up emergency rooms and running up debts they’d never be able to pay back.
So in 2009, Obama and congressional Democrats decided to completely redesign US healthcare in a bid to prevent sick people from ending up without insurance. The backroom deals they struck with insurers and lobbyists were murky to say the least. Ultimately, the Democrats hatched a half-baked compromise to keep everyone happy: All people would be forced to buy insurance, but insurers would also have to sell to everyone, even the very sick, for the same price.
It was certainly unconstitutional, but it made some sense— it was intended as a one-off “deal with the devil” in which everyone would get insured, and from then on keep their insurance.
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With Republicans eliminating the individual mandate, what remains of Obamacare cannot stand on its own. It’s like a bar stool with only two legs.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) made patients less safe (byrestricting choice of doctor/treatment) and healthcare more expensive. But the problem it was originally intended to address was very real. Millions of Americans were going without insurance,getting sick, clogging up emergency rooms and running up debts they’d never be able to pay back.
So in 2009, Obama and congressional Democrats decided to completely redesign US healthcare in a bid to prevent sick people from ending up without insurance. The backroom deals they struck with insurers and lobbyists were murky to say the least. Ultimately, the Democrats hatched a half-baked compromise to keep everyone happy: All people would be forced to buy insurance, but insurers would also have to sell to everyone, even the very sick, for the same price.
It was certainly unconstitutional, but it made some sense— it was intended as a one-off “deal with the devil” in which everyone would get insured, and from then on keep their insurance.
More
"Fewer People Can Afford A House": US Home Price Growth Slowest Since Trump Elected
The rapid slowdown in US home price growth is accelerating with Case-Shiller reporting a 5.03% YoY gain in October - theweakest since Nov 2016. Slowing for the 7th month in a row, if printing modestly above expectations of 4.80%, home prices rose 5.03% Y/Y, down from 5.21% a month ago, and confirming that the US housing market is clearly suffering:
Perhaps of greater note, the index of home prices actually declined MoM - the biggest drop since Jan 2016...
Despite the ongoing slowdown, all 20 cities in the index showed year-over-year gains, led by a 12.8% increase in Las Vegas (down from 13.5% last month), and almost 8% increases in both San Francisco and Phoenix. The weakest gains were in Washington, which rose 2.9 percent on year, Chicago, which climbed 3.3 percent, and New York, up 3.1 percent.
However, more dangers emerged on a month-over-month basis where prices fell in 8 cities, including Chicago (-0.3%), Cleveland (-0.5%), Denver (-0.3%), Minneapolis (-0.1%), Portland (-0.6%), San Diego (-0.1%), San Francisco (-0.7%) and Seattle (-1.1%).
Finally, much like NAR did this month, even the establishment hopefuls are admitting defeat: "The combination of higher mortgage rates and higher home prices rising faster than incomes and wages means fewer people can afford to buy a house. Fixed rate 30-year mortgages are currently 4.75%, up from 4% one year earlier. Home prices are up 54%, or 40% excluding inflation, since they bottomed in 2012" said David Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
He added that "Reduced affordability is slowing sales of both new and existing single family homes. Sales peaked in November 2017 and have drifted down since then."
Realtors, academics, and bullish shareholders are now joining the chorus of Trump demanding Powell put a hold on rate hikes.
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Perhaps of greater note, the index of home prices actually declined MoM - the biggest drop since Jan 2016...
Despite the ongoing slowdown, all 20 cities in the index showed year-over-year gains, led by a 12.8% increase in Las Vegas (down from 13.5% last month), and almost 8% increases in both San Francisco and Phoenix. The weakest gains were in Washington, which rose 2.9 percent on year, Chicago, which climbed 3.3 percent, and New York, up 3.1 percent.
However, more dangers emerged on a month-over-month basis where prices fell in 8 cities, including Chicago (-0.3%), Cleveland (-0.5%), Denver (-0.3%), Minneapolis (-0.1%), Portland (-0.6%), San Diego (-0.1%), San Francisco (-0.7%) and Seattle (-1.1%).
Finally, much like NAR did this month, even the establishment hopefuls are admitting defeat: "The combination of higher mortgage rates and higher home prices rising faster than incomes and wages means fewer people can afford to buy a house. Fixed rate 30-year mortgages are currently 4.75%, up from 4% one year earlier. Home prices are up 54%, or 40% excluding inflation, since they bottomed in 2012" said David Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
He added that "Reduced affordability is slowing sales of both new and existing single family homes. Sales peaked in November 2017 and have drifted down since then."
Realtors, academics, and bullish shareholders are now joining the chorus of Trump demanding Powell put a hold on rate hikes.
More
US Economy Snaps As Richmond Fed Plummets Most On Record
Those seeking an economic indicator of an imminent recession just got one courtesy of the Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index, which tumbled from 14 in November to -8, crushing expectations of a modest rebound to 15, weighed down by drops in the indexes for new orders and shipments.
With analysts expecting the Richmond Fed to print between 12 and 17, the -8 print was a 20 sigma event relative to expectations.
The internals were an unmitigated disaster, with the shipments index print of -25 was its lowest reading since April 2009 even as the third component, the index for employment, rose. Additionally, respondents indicated a deterioration in local business conditions, as this index fell to −25, its lowest reading on record. Most other metrics were dismal:
Shipments fell to -25 after 12 the prior month
Local business conditions printed the lowest on record at -25 after 5 last month
New order volume slowed to -9 after 17 the prior month
Order backlogs fell to -18 after 15 the prior month
Capacity utilization slowed to -16 after 9 the prior month
Inventory levels of finished goods increased to 13 after 2 last month
Inventory levels of raw goods rose to 15 after 5 last month
With analysts expecting the Richmond Fed to print between 12 and 17, the -8 print was a 20 sigma event relative to expectations.
The internals were an unmitigated disaster, with the shipments index print of -25 was its lowest reading since April 2009 even as the third component, the index for employment, rose. Additionally, respondents indicated a deterioration in local business conditions, as this index fell to −25, its lowest reading on record. Most other metrics were dismal:
Shipments fell to -25 after 12 the prior month
Local business conditions printed the lowest on record at -25 after 5 last month
New order volume slowed to -9 after 17 the prior month
Order backlogs fell to -18 after 15 the prior month
Capacity utilization slowed to -16 after 9 the prior month
Inventory levels of finished goods increased to 13 after 2 last month
Inventory levels of raw goods rose to 15 after 5 last month
Did Trump Put The Deep State On Notice With Syrian Withdrawal?
The reason so many people continue to misread the actions of US President Donald Trump is because they tend to confuse him with the actions and behaviors of past US administrations, where indiscriminate death and destruction was America’s calling card around a shell-shocked planet. Although certainly erratic in his actions, Trump thus far has been predictable on one score: keeping the powers-that-be guessing.
Last week, Donald Trump, acting unilaterally and within full power as Commander-in-Chief, derailed the Deep State’s plans for yet another disastrous regime change operation, announcing the withdrawal of US troops from Syria.
In a video released via Twitter, the American leader announced that, “We have won against ISIS…and it’s time for our troops to come home.”
In the not-so-distant past, such an announcement would have been greeted with cheers since it is generally agreed that war is - at least for those doing the grunt work - a very unpleasant enterprise. But the times have changed, together with the national agenda, and instead of applause filling the airwaves, the American people can hear nothing but the screeching of incensed hawks on both sides of the political aisle. That screeching is the sound of the Deep State expressing its deep displeasure and even pain.
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Last week, Donald Trump, acting unilaterally and within full power as Commander-in-Chief, derailed the Deep State’s plans for yet another disastrous regime change operation, announcing the withdrawal of US troops from Syria.
In a video released via Twitter, the American leader announced that, “We have won against ISIS…and it’s time for our troops to come home.”
In the not-so-distant past, such an announcement would have been greeted with cheers since it is generally agreed that war is - at least for those doing the grunt work - a very unpleasant enterprise. But the times have changed, together with the national agenda, and instead of applause filling the airwaves, the American people can hear nothing but the screeching of incensed hawks on both sides of the political aisle. That screeching is the sound of the Deep State expressing its deep displeasure and even pain.
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Trump wanted others to pay more at UN. No one really has.
President Donald Trump’s promise to save American taxpayers money by getting other countries to contribute more to international organisations has been put to the test at the United Nations.
It didn’t go well.
American diplomats in New York lobbied countries including India, Brazil, and Turkey to increase their financial support for the UN’s $6.7bn-a-year peacekeeping budget, but they came up short during negotiations this month.
That will leave the “blue helmets,” who monitor conflict zones from South Sudan to Lebanon, with a $220m shortfall for the year, as the US refuses to pay more than a quarter of the total budget.
“Unfortunately, in a deeply dissatisfying and disappointing turn of events, every country decided reform was good and right for the UN, but not for how it is financed,” Ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet, the US representative for UN reform, said on Saturday.
The US remains the top contributor to UN budgets, paying more than $10bn a year when all expenditures are totaled.
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It didn’t go well.
American diplomats in New York lobbied countries including India, Brazil, and Turkey to increase their financial support for the UN’s $6.7bn-a-year peacekeeping budget, but they came up short during negotiations this month.
That will leave the “blue helmets,” who monitor conflict zones from South Sudan to Lebanon, with a $220m shortfall for the year, as the US refuses to pay more than a quarter of the total budget.
“Unfortunately, in a deeply dissatisfying and disappointing turn of events, every country decided reform was good and right for the UN, but not for how it is financed,” Ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet, the US representative for UN reform, said on Saturday.
The US remains the top contributor to UN budgets, paying more than $10bn a year when all expenditures are totaled.
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Farrakhan awash in federal dollars, anti-Semitic hate notwithstanding
What does an anti-Semite have to do to get ostracized around here?
Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, 84, is America’s highest-profile Jew-hater. Former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke might covet that distinction, but he is far less in the spotlight today than yesterday. More importantly, Farrakhan can boast that his loathing for Jews has not stopped him from raking in federal tax dollars.
That’s right. The Washington Examiner reported last week that Farrakhan has received $364,500 in taxpayer money for preaching to prisoners.
Farrakhan’s many public anti-Semitic comments are almost too numerous to count. And ironically, he even managed to insult Jews on Oct. 16 while claiming not to be their foe. “I’m not an anti-Semite. I’m anti-Termite,” Farrakhan said – never mind that he equates Jews with home-destroying pests that routinely are exterminated with gas.
How charming.
The Washington Examiner reported that since fiscal year 2008, the Nation of Islam has received $354,500 in Justice Department grants to offer federal inmates “Nation of Islam religious services,” “Nation of Islam spiritual guide services,” “Nation of Islam study services,” and similar programs arranged by Nation of Islam’s leaders.
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Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, 84, is America’s highest-profile Jew-hater. Former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke might covet that distinction, but he is far less in the spotlight today than yesterday. More importantly, Farrakhan can boast that his loathing for Jews has not stopped him from raking in federal tax dollars.
That’s right. The Washington Examiner reported last week that Farrakhan has received $364,500 in taxpayer money for preaching to prisoners.
Farrakhan’s many public anti-Semitic comments are almost too numerous to count. And ironically, he even managed to insult Jews on Oct. 16 while claiming not to be their foe. “I’m not an anti-Semite. I’m anti-Termite,” Farrakhan said – never mind that he equates Jews with home-destroying pests that routinely are exterminated with gas.
How charming.
The Washington Examiner reported that since fiscal year 2008, the Nation of Islam has received $354,500 in Justice Department grants to offer federal inmates “Nation of Islam religious services,” “Nation of Islam spiritual guide services,” “Nation of Islam study services,” and similar programs arranged by Nation of Islam’s leaders.
More
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/farrakhan-awash-in-federal-dollars-anti-semitic-hate-notwithstanding
German Supreme Court Rejects Anti-Child Marriage Law
The German Federal Supreme Court has made a new ruling on a child marriage case which could have implications on the way child marriages conducted legally overseas are treated in the country.
The ruling comes from a case involving a Syrian man who was separated from his underage “wife” when the pair arrived in Germany as asylum seekers in August 2015, Die Welt reports.
The pair, cousins, were married in February 2015 while the man was aged 21 and the girl aged only 14 in a marriage procedure that was done under sharia legally in Syria but was considered invalid by German authorities where the marriage age was 16 at the time.
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The ruling comes from a case involving a Syrian man who was separated from his underage “wife” when the pair arrived in Germany as asylum seekers in August 2015, Die Welt reports.
The pair, cousins, were married in February 2015 while the man was aged 21 and the girl aged only 14 in a marriage procedure that was done under sharia legally in Syria but was considered invalid by German authorities where the marriage age was 16 at the time.
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Are the Investigations the Cover-Up?
Those of us who have been paying attention know that serious crimes were committed at the highest levels of government in an attempt to exonerate Hillary Clinton and frame Donald Trump. There was collusion between government agencies, including collusion with foreign agents, to illegally influence the 2016 Presidential election. There is enough evidence on the table to be confident of these claims.
And those of us who care about rule of law, who want to see justice done to the criminals in this conspiracy, have been waiting for years to see that happen. We hear that these serious matters are being investigated. We hear that there are whistleblowers inside the government who want to come forward and expose the corruption. We hear that there are many, many more documents which will substantiate our worst fears about one of the greatest scandals in the history of our country.
We have been assured that there are several investigations looking into the various aspect of this abuse of power. Inspector General Michael Horowitz, prosecutor John Huber, and others are looking into the corruption. Mueller is supposedly tasked with exposing foreign influence on the Presidential election.
But what if the ‘investigations’ are really the cover-up? What if the investigations are carefully structured to protect criminal actions rather than expose them? What if the investigations are actually being used to hide evidence from the citizenry?
Peter Strzok, Andrew McCabe and others discussed the need for an “insurance policy” in case Trump won.
More
And those of us who care about rule of law, who want to see justice done to the criminals in this conspiracy, have been waiting for years to see that happen. We hear that these serious matters are being investigated. We hear that there are whistleblowers inside the government who want to come forward and expose the corruption. We hear that there are many, many more documents which will substantiate our worst fears about one of the greatest scandals in the history of our country.
We have been assured that there are several investigations looking into the various aspect of this abuse of power. Inspector General Michael Horowitz, prosecutor John Huber, and others are looking into the corruption. Mueller is supposedly tasked with exposing foreign influence on the Presidential election.
But what if the ‘investigations’ are really the cover-up? What if the investigations are carefully structured to protect criminal actions rather than expose them? What if the investigations are actually being used to hide evidence from the citizenry?
Peter Strzok, Andrew McCabe and others discussed the need for an “insurance policy” in case Trump won.
More
US Holiday Retail Sales are Strongest in Years
Sales excluding autos rose 5.1% between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 from a year earlier, according to Mastercard
Shoppers delivered the strongest holiday sales increase for U.S. retailers in six years, according to early data.
Total U.S. retail sales, excluding automobiles, rose 5.1% between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 from a year earlier, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks both online and in-store spending with all forms of payment. Overall, U.S. consumers spent over $850 billion this holiday season, according to Mastercard.
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Shoppers delivered the strongest holiday sales increase for U.S. retailers in six years, according to early data.
Total U.S. retail sales, excluding automobiles, rose 5.1% between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 from a year earlier, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks both online and in-store spending with all forms of payment. Overall, U.S. consumers spent over $850 billion this holiday season, according to Mastercard.
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NOI - Garage Fire - Bradley Street - Hebron - Wicomico County
Date: 12/17/2018
Time: 9:12 p.m.
Location / Address: 110 Bradley Street, Hebron, Wicomico
Type of Incident: Fire
Description of Structure / Property: Wood frame detached garage
Owner / Occupants: Ryan Worden
Injuries or Deaths: None
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $35,000 Contents: $5,000
Smoke Alarm Status: N/A
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A
Arrests(s): None
Primary Responding Fire Department: Hebron Volunteer Fire Department
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 36
Time to Control: 30
Discovered By: Passerby
Area of Origin: Interior portion garage
Preliminary Cause: Accidental - Due to a heat lamp coming in contact with common combustibles.
Additional Information: Primary residence also suffered minor damages as a result of the fire.
Teachers & Cops:
These are actual comments made on students' report cards by teachers in theNew York City public school system. All teachers were reprimanded (but, boy, are these funny!)
1. Since my last report, your child has reached rock bottom and has started to dig.
2. I would not allow this student to breed.
3. Your child has delusions of adequacy.
4. Your son is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot. (my favorite...)
5. Your son sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
6. The student has a 'full six-pack' but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together.
7. This child has been working with glue too much.
8. When your daughter's IQ reaches 50, she should sell.
9. The gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming..
10. If this student were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week.
11. It's impossible to believe the sperm that created this child beat out 1,000,000 others.
12. The wheel is turning but the hamster is definitely dead.
These are actual comments made by 16 Police Officers. The comments were taken off actual police car videos around the country:
1. "You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the one you just went through."
2. "Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch after you wear them a while."
3. "If you take your hands off the car, I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document."
4. "If you run, you'll only go to jail tired."
5. "Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? Because that's the speed of the bullet that'll be chasing you."
6. "You don't know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?
7. "Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I'm the shift supervisor?"
8. "Warning! You want a warning? O.K, I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket."
9. "The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?"
10. "Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey poop."
11. "Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven."
12. "In God we trust; all others we run through NCIC." ( National Crime Information Center )
13. "Just how big were those 'two beers' you say you had?"
14. "No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we can."
15. "I'm glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail."
AND THE WINNER IS....
16. "You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't.. Sign here."
1. Since my last report, your child has reached rock bottom and has started to dig.
2. I would not allow this student to breed.
3. Your child has delusions of adequacy.
4. Your son is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot. (my favorite...)
5. Your son sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
6. The student has a 'full six-pack' but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together.
7. This child has been working with glue too much.
8. When your daughter's IQ reaches 50, she should sell.
9. The gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming..
10. If this student were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week.
11. It's impossible to believe the sperm that created this child beat out 1,000,000 others.
12. The wheel is turning but the hamster is definitely dead.
These are actual comments made by 16 Police Officers. The comments were taken off actual police car videos around the country:
1. "You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the one you just went through."
2. "Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch after you wear them a while."
3. "If you take your hands off the car, I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document."
4. "If you run, you'll only go to jail tired."
5. "Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? Because that's the speed of the bullet that'll be chasing you."
6. "You don't know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?
7. "Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I'm the shift supervisor?"
8. "Warning! You want a warning? O.K, I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket."
9. "The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?"
10. "Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey poop."
11. "Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven."
12. "In God we trust; all others we run through NCIC." ( National Crime Information Center )
13. "Just how big were those 'two beers' you say you had?"
14. "No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we can."
15. "I'm glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail."
AND THE WINNER IS....
16. "You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't.. Sign here."
Are there any 'good guys' left in Syria?
After President Trump announced the withdrawal of American troops from Syria, in his usual manner (via Twitter), a flurry of indignation struck him. The squall is no less than after the unilateral withdrawal of America from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in October of this year.
As we know, this flurry of indignation concerning nuclear missiles soon subsided. However, it sank only after Trump's critics finally bothered to read the text of the treaty and were able to ascertain that it concerns only land-based missiles and does not affect sea, air, and space-based nuclear weapons at all. At the same time, the USA has at least a tenfold advantage over Russia in sea-based and air-based nuclear systems. The hysteria about this in America and Europe has remained calm for a long time, but in Russia, this move of Trump still causes undisguised irritation.
I hope the unfair accusations of "betraying the Allies" and "New Year's gift to Iran and Russia" will soon also subside. An example must be taken from Russia – she has already learned her lessons in dealing with Trump, and there is no euphoria in the Kremlin about the "withdrawal of American troops" from Syria. Why?
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As we know, this flurry of indignation concerning nuclear missiles soon subsided. However, it sank only after Trump's critics finally bothered to read the text of the treaty and were able to ascertain that it concerns only land-based missiles and does not affect sea, air, and space-based nuclear weapons at all. At the same time, the USA has at least a tenfold advantage over Russia in sea-based and air-based nuclear systems. The hysteria about this in America and Europe has remained calm for a long time, but in Russia, this move of Trump still causes undisguised irritation.
I hope the unfair accusations of "betraying the Allies" and "New Year's gift to Iran and Russia" will soon also subside. An example must be taken from Russia – she has already learned her lessons in dealing with Trump, and there is no euphoria in the Kremlin about the "withdrawal of American troops" from Syria. Why?
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Wednesday, December 26, 2018
SPINELESS RINO: Ohio Gov. Kasich Vetoes Fetal Heartbeat Abortion Bill
Demonstrating once again his penchant for moral cowardice, Ohio Gov. John Kasich vetoed a bill on Friday that would have banned abortions on unborn babies with detectable heartbeats.
According to LifeNews, Gov. Kasich vetoed the bill arguing that it would not survive in a court challenge. He did the same in 2016 for similar reasons. The difference between then and now, however, is the addition of Justice Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court – the bill could theoretically survive if it went that far. Kasich also argued that the legal challenges would cost taxpayers too much money.
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According to LifeNews, Gov. Kasich vetoed the bill arguing that it would not survive in a court challenge. He did the same in 2016 for similar reasons. The difference between then and now, however, is the addition of Justice Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court – the bill could theoretically survive if it went that far. Kasich also argued that the legal challenges would cost taxpayers too much money.
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Trump The Disrupter Pivots Back To Trumpism – And The Establishment Freaks Out
The Americans who voted for Donald Trump wanted a disrupter, and that’s what Santa brought them this
Christmas/Hanukah/Kwanzaa. After two years of denying his inner Donald, and under fire from all sides, Trump finally went full Trump. That is, he actually did what he promised, and the establishment lost its collective Schiff.
They really thought this was it for Trump. They thought they finally had him. The GOP just lost the House. The Fed raised interest rates as the market slumped – for totally economic reasons and not to hurt Trump’s chances, and if you say different you are a crazy traitor Russian emoluments treason guy. Ann Coulter was dissing him about the wall so hard he unfollowed her on Twitter. The Mueller festival of elite onanism peaked with the Flynn fiasco.
But when all hell breaks loose, Trump thrives. And he thrives through disruption. He stopped trying to behave – yeah, the last two years was him behaving in an attempt to work with the establishment – and started doing what he said he would do. He went back to disrupting the elite consensus. And that has freaked out the squares.
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They really thought this was it for Trump. They thought they finally had him. The GOP just lost the House. The Fed raised interest rates as the market slumped – for totally economic reasons and not to hurt Trump’s chances, and if you say different you are a crazy traitor Russian emoluments treason guy. Ann Coulter was dissing him about the wall so hard he unfollowed her on Twitter. The Mueller festival of elite onanism peaked with the Flynn fiasco.
But when all hell breaks loose, Trump thrives. And he thrives through disruption. He stopped trying to behave – yeah, the last two years was him behaving in an attempt to work with the establishment – and started doing what he said he would do. He went back to disrupting the elite consensus. And that has freaked out the squares.
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Marc A. Thiessen: There's a Word for the Democrats' Negotiating Strategy: Insanity
Good news for the incoming House Democratic majority! They have something President Trump really, really wants: money to build a border wall. Trump is desperate for this money. Mexico won’t give it to him. Only congressional Democrats can. Without their consent, he can’t deliver on one of the key campaign promises he made during the 2016 election.
There’s a name for this in classic negotiating strategy. It’s called “leverage.” Good negotiators use leverage (something they have, which their adversary wants) to obtain what are called “concessions” (something their adversary has, which they want). The result is what experts call “compromise.” This is how the civilized world gets things done.
But in a fit of pique, Democrats are throwing away their leverage, insisting that they will never — under any circumstances — give Trump the wall he so desperately wants. The reason? Because he wants it and they despise him.
There is a name for this in negotiating strategy as well. It’s called “insanity.”
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There’s a name for this in classic negotiating strategy. It’s called “leverage.” Good negotiators use leverage (something they have, which their adversary wants) to obtain what are called “concessions” (something their adversary has, which they want). The result is what experts call “compromise.” This is how the civilized world gets things done.
But in a fit of pique, Democrats are throwing away their leverage, insisting that they will never — under any circumstances — give Trump the wall he so desperately wants. The reason? Because he wants it and they despise him.
There is a name for this in negotiating strategy as well. It’s called “insanity.”
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OBAMA DEEP STATE Spied on Israel - May Have Set Up Israel and Trump Officials Multiple Times!
The Obama Administration not only pushed through the Iran deal in violation of federal law but also most likely tried to set up Israel and the Trump Campaign and Administration at the same time.
In a recent article at the Columbia Law Review a few of the crimes of the Obama Administration were discussed –
The Obama Administration’s efforts to sign and implement a nuclear agreement with Iran with limited if any congressional input, and at times in violation of federal law, is a particularly important example of Democratic constitutional hardball. This particular example failed to make it into books and essays critical of the Obama Administration, including Lawless, because it played out toward the end of the Administration, and many of the details of the Administration’s hardball tactics became matters of public knowledge and controversy only after President Obama had left office.
The far-left Columbia Review continued by reciting Obama’s lies to push the Iran deal –
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In a recent article at the Columbia Law Review a few of the crimes of the Obama Administration were discussed –
The Obama Administration’s efforts to sign and implement a nuclear agreement with Iran with limited if any congressional input, and at times in violation of federal law, is a particularly important example of Democratic constitutional hardball. This particular example failed to make it into books and essays critical of the Obama Administration, including Lawless, because it played out toward the end of the Administration, and many of the details of the Administration’s hardball tactics became matters of public knowledge and controversy only after President Obama had left office.
The far-left Columbia Review continued by reciting Obama’s lies to push the Iran deal –
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THE REAL COLLUSION: Obama's FBI Paid More on Russian Dirt and Fake News in 2016 Election Than Russia Did!
On Tuesday Google CEO Sundar Pichai was called in to testify before the House Judiciary Committee.
Pichai was called in to explain Google business practices including data collection and targeting of conservative voices.
During questioning Pichai dashed the hopes of Democrats everywhere when he admitted Russia spent only $4,700 on advertisements during the 2016 election.
Which is next to nothing… In a campaign where Hillary Clinton spent nearly a billion dollars!
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Pichai was called in to explain Google business practices including data collection and targeting of conservative voices.
During questioning Pichai dashed the hopes of Democrats everywhere when he admitted Russia spent only $4,700 on advertisements during the 2016 election.
Which is next to nothing… In a campaign where Hillary Clinton spent nearly a billion dollars!
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Incoming NY State AG admits her plan to find a crime by Trump or 'anyone in his orbit'
Another Democrat has revealed her totalitarian impulse under the malign influence of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Letitia James, who will take office as attorney general of the State of New York, has just admitted to the friendly folks at NBC News that she is channeling Lavrenty Beria, Stalin's notorious secret police head, who famously said, "Show me the man, and I'll find you the crime."
"I think within the first 100 days this bill will be passed," she said, adding, "It is a priority because I have concerns with respect to the possibility that this administration might pardon some individuals who might face some criminal charges, but I do not want them to be immune from state charges."
With Rep. Ted Lieu admitting his frustration with the First Amendment, yesterday saw two prominent Dems revealing the inner tyrants.
It seems to me a safe bet that once the Democrats take control of the House of Representatives, they will spiral even faster into a frenzy to "get" Trump and will present a spectacle to the American public that will be a sobering lesson. But in the month ahead, I would not rule out more auto-unmasking of tyrant-wannabes.
Source
"I think within the first 100 days this bill will be passed," she said, adding, "It is a priority because I have concerns with respect to the possibility that this administration might pardon some individuals who might face some criminal charges, but I do not want them to be immune from state charges."
With Rep. Ted Lieu admitting his frustration with the First Amendment, yesterday saw two prominent Dems revealing the inner tyrants.
It seems to me a safe bet that once the Democrats take control of the House of Representatives, they will spiral even faster into a frenzy to "get" Trump and will present a spectacle to the American public that will be a sobering lesson. But in the month ahead, I would not rule out more auto-unmasking of tyrant-wannabes.
Source
Career criminal caught on nanny cam brutally attacking woman loses appeal against life sentence
A New Jersey man sentenced to life in prison for a brutal home invasion caught on camera has been denied an appeal of his conviction.
Shawn Custis, 47, was convicted in 2016 for breaking into a New Jersey home and viciously beating a woman in front of her child, which was caught on nanny cam.
On Friday, the appellate court denied his appeal after the career criminal argued his sentencing was excessive.
His lengthy criminal record included 38 arrests and 17 felony convictions all before the 2013 home attack.
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Shawn Custis, 47, was convicted in 2016 for breaking into a New Jersey home and viciously beating a woman in front of her child, which was caught on nanny cam.
On Friday, the appellate court denied his appeal after the career criminal argued his sentencing was excessive.
His lengthy criminal record included 38 arrests and 17 felony convictions all before the 2013 home attack.
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Mueller Team Scrubbed Peter Strzok's Phone: 'No Substantive Text Msgs'
The Office of the Special Counsel deleted text messages from the iPhone of fired FBI agent Peter Strzok before turning it over to the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG), according to a report released by the federal watchdog.
On Thursday, the Justice Department’s inspector general released a report stating thousands of text messages exchanged between Strzok and FBI attorney Lisa Page could not be recovered after Mueller’s team wiped clean the phones it had issued them.
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On Thursday, the Justice Department’s inspector general released a report stating thousands of text messages exchanged between Strzok and FBI attorney Lisa Page could not be recovered after Mueller’s team wiped clean the phones it had issued them.
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Check out Hemp Across Human History in This Timeline
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Mike Flynn & The Deep State's Fatal Over-Reach
Last Friday morning, we adjourned the blog in anticipation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller handing over certain FBI documents in the General Flynn matter demanded by DC District Federal Judge Emmett G. Sullivan no later than 3:00 p.m. that day. Guess what.Mr. Mueller’s errand boys did not hand over the required documents - original FBI 302 interrogation reports. Instead, they proffered a half-assed “interview” with one of the two agents who conducted the Flynn interrogation, Peter Strzok, attempting to recollect the 302 half a year after it was written. Of course, Mr. Strzok was notoriously fired from the Bureau in August for bouts of wild political fury on-the-job as FBI counter-intel chief during and after the 2016 election. (This was the second time he was fired; the first was when Robert Mueller discarded him from the SC team in 2017 as a legal liability.)
So, 3:00 p.m. Friday has come and gone. It appears that the FBI 302 docs have come and gone, too. Actually, we have reason to believe that nothing ever created on a computer connected to the internet can actually disappear entirely. Rather, the data gets sucked into the bottomless well of the NSA server-farm out in Utah. Most likely, the original 302s exist and Mr. Mueller is pretending he can’t find them. In effect, it appears that Mr. Mueller has responded by gently whispering “fuck you” to Judge Sullivan.
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So, 3:00 p.m. Friday has come and gone. It appears that the FBI 302 docs have come and gone, too. Actually, we have reason to believe that nothing ever created on a computer connected to the internet can actually disappear entirely. Rather, the data gets sucked into the bottomless well of the NSA server-farm out in Utah. Most likely, the original 302s exist and Mr. Mueller is pretending he can’t find them. In effect, it appears that Mr. Mueller has responded by gently whispering “fuck you” to Judge Sullivan.
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Trump, visiting troops in Iraq, defends Syria pullout plan
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump appeared in Iraq on Wednesday for a surprise visit with troops and senior military leadership at Al Asad Air Base. There, he said it's because of U.S. military gains against the Islamic State terror group that he can withdraw 2,000 forces from Syria.
"We're no longer the suckers, folks," Trump told service members at the base, which is situated in western Iraq. "We're respected again as a nation."
During his first visit to the troubled region, Trump also said he has "no plans at all" to remove any of the 5,000 U.S. troops from that country.
Trump's visit — which is also his first to a combat zone as commander in chief — comes on the heels of his announcement about pulling troops out of Syria, and the rumored removal of thousands of troops in Afghanistan.
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"We're no longer the suckers, folks," Trump told service members at the base, which is situated in western Iraq. "We're respected again as a nation."
During his first visit to the troubled region, Trump also said he has "no plans at all" to remove any of the 5,000 U.S. troops from that country.
Trump's visit — which is also his first to a combat zone as commander in chief — comes on the heels of his announcement about pulling troops out of Syria, and the rumored removal of thousands of troops in Afghanistan.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-visiting-troops-in-iraq-defends-syria-pullout-plan
Creepy John Podesta Represented Foreign Governments While Working in White House - Not Hero General Flynn!!
During General Michael Flynn’s hearing earlier this month the abusive Judge in the corrupt case accused the General of acting as an agent for a foreign government while he was serving in the White House.
This was not only a lie, but the real culprits and deal-makers of representing foreign governments while working in the White House are the Clintons and John Podesta who walk free to this day.
In the recent hearing in the Deep State’s corrupt case against General Mike Flynn, the judge accused the General of working for a foreign government while in the White House. This same misguided and possibly corrupt judge asked if the General should be indicted for treason – a charge he has never faced.
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This was not only a lie, but the real culprits and deal-makers of representing foreign governments while working in the White House are the Clintons and John Podesta who walk free to this day.
In the recent hearing in the Deep State’s corrupt case against General Mike Flynn, the judge accused the General of working for a foreign government while in the White House. This same misguided and possibly corrupt judge asked if the General should be indicted for treason – a charge he has never faced.
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44 Warhawk Democrats Voted to Approve 5 Billion for US War Machine -- Only One Voted to Secure US Border - Think About That!!
On August 23, 2018, The US Senate voted for a $675 billion appropriations bill to fund the unlimited war projects.
The warhawk Democrats carried the majority.
The vote was 85-7 led by Democrat Senators.
44 Democrats voted for the bill.
41 Republicans voted for the bill.
0 Democrats voted against the bill.
6 Republicans voted against the bill.
1 Socialist Bernie Sanders voted against the bill.
3 Democrats did not vote.
5 Republicans did not vote.
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The warhawk Democrats carried the majority.
The vote was 85-7 led by Democrat Senators.
44 Democrats voted for the bill.
41 Republicans voted for the bill.
0 Democrats voted against the bill.
6 Republicans voted against the bill.
1 Socialist Bernie Sanders voted against the bill.
3 Democrats did not vote.
5 Republicans did not vote.
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Send The 'Mad Dog' To The Corporate Kennel
Outgoing Defense Secretary Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis was famous for quipping, “It’s fun to shoot some people.” It remains a supreme irony that Mattis was widely considered the only “adult in the room” in the Trump administration. Compared to whom? John Bolton, the rabid neocon serving as national security adviser? That would be the epitome of “condemning with faint praise.”
With his ramrod-straight image, not to mention his warrior/scholar reputation extolled in the media, Mattis was able to disguise the reality that he was, as Col. Andrew Bacevich put it on Democracy Now! this morning, “totally unimaginative.” Meaning that Mattis was simply incapable of acknowledging the self-destructive, mindless nature of U.S. “endless war” in the Middle East, which candidate-Trump had correctly called “stupid.” In his resignation letter, Mattis also peddled the usual cant about the indispensable nation’s aggression being good for the world.
Mattis was an obstacle to Trump’s desire to pull troops out of Syria and Afghanistan (and remains in position to spike Trump’s orders). Granted, the abrupt way Trump announced his apparently one-man decision was equally stupid. But withdrawal of ground troops is supremely sane, and Mattis was and is a large problem. And, for good or ill, Trump — not Mattis — was elected president.
Marine Wisdom
Historically, Marines are the last place to turn for sound advice. Marine Gen. Smedley Butler (1881-1940), twice winner of the Medal of Honor, was brutally candid about this, after he paused long enough to realize, and write, “War is a Racket”:
“I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all members of the military profession I never had an original thought until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher- ups. …”
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With his ramrod-straight image, not to mention his warrior/scholar reputation extolled in the media, Mattis was able to disguise the reality that he was, as Col. Andrew Bacevich put it on Democracy Now! this morning, “totally unimaginative.” Meaning that Mattis was simply incapable of acknowledging the self-destructive, mindless nature of U.S. “endless war” in the Middle East, which candidate-Trump had correctly called “stupid.” In his resignation letter, Mattis also peddled the usual cant about the indispensable nation’s aggression being good for the world.
Mattis was an obstacle to Trump’s desire to pull troops out of Syria and Afghanistan (and remains in position to spike Trump’s orders). Granted, the abrupt way Trump announced his apparently one-man decision was equally stupid. But withdrawal of ground troops is supremely sane, and Mattis was and is a large problem. And, for good or ill, Trump — not Mattis — was elected president.
Marine Wisdom
Historically, Marines are the last place to turn for sound advice. Marine Gen. Smedley Butler (1881-1940), twice winner of the Medal of Honor, was brutally candid about this, after he paused long enough to realize, and write, “War is a Racket”:
“I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all members of the military profession I never had an original thought until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher- ups. …”
More
Krakatoa Alert: Another Eruption Could Potentially Kill Millions And Significantly Lower Global Temperatures For 5 Years
The shell of our planet has been cracked
Because most Americans are so focused on preparations for Christmas, not a lot of attention is being paid to the massive disaster that just took place in Indonesia, and that is a huge mistake.
Anak Krakatoa has sprung to life, and there is a reason why it is known as one of the most dangerous volcanoes on the entire planet. When Krakatoa erupted on August 27th, 1883 the explosion was so loud that it was literally heard 3,000 miles away, and it was estimated that the tsunami waves were over 100 feet tall in some places. If such an eruption happened today, it would be an even worse disaster than the 2004 Indonesian tsunami which killed more than 200,000 people globally. We are talking about an event that would instantly alter all of our lives for reasons that I will share below.
So the fact that this mountain of fire has come alive is a really big deal. The following comes from the Daily Mail…
Because most Americans are so focused on preparations for Christmas, not a lot of attention is being paid to the massive disaster that just took place in Indonesia, and that is a huge mistake.
Anak Krakatoa has sprung to life, and there is a reason why it is known as one of the most dangerous volcanoes on the entire planet. When Krakatoa erupted on August 27th, 1883 the explosion was so loud that it was literally heard 3,000 miles away, and it was estimated that the tsunami waves were over 100 feet tall in some places. If such an eruption happened today, it would be an even worse disaster than the 2004 Indonesian tsunami which killed more than 200,000 people globally. We are talking about an event that would instantly alter all of our lives for reasons that I will share below.
So the fact that this mountain of fire has come alive is a really big deal. The following comes from the Daily Mail…
Mass. Offshore Lease Auction Nets Record $405 Million
Offshore wind in the U.S. hit a new milestone Friday when the eighth federal lease auction brought in $405 million for three sites — about six times the revenue from all previous auctions combined.
Eleven companies participated in 32 rounds of bidding. The winners were Equinor, a Norwegian state-controlled company formerly known as Statoil; Mayflower Wind Energy, a joint venture of Shell and EDP Renewables; and Vineyard Wind, a joint venture by Iberdrola and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
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Eleven companies participated in 32 rounds of bidding. The winners were Equinor, a Norwegian state-controlled company formerly known as Statoil; Mayflower Wind Energy, a joint venture of Shell and EDP Renewables; and Vineyard Wind, a joint venture by Iberdrola and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
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Squatter who moved into a $500k home charged with criminal trespass
A man was arrested after he moved into a $500,000 home that another family had just purchased in Georgia.
Joel Fedd, 33, claimed the home in Gwinett County was his because he is an 'indigenous Moor' and as such had rights to the land.
Last Saturday, Fedd recorded himself and his nephew walking around outside the house on Settles Brook Court.
Fedd claimed they were entitled to live there because they were 'Moorish American'.
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Joel Fedd, 33, claimed the home in Gwinett County was his because he is an 'indigenous Moor' and as such had rights to the land.
Last Saturday, Fedd recorded himself and his nephew walking around outside the house on Settles Brook Court.
Fedd claimed they were entitled to live there because they were 'Moorish American'.
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Comey, Warren Falsely Claim Federal Workers Will Have No Paycheck This Holiday
Former FBI Director James Comey and Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren — among others — have taken to Twitter to complain that federal workers will go without pay through the holidays.
Their claims, however, came nearly a full day after the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released guidance to all cabinet agencies explaining how and when paychecks might be affected.
According to that guidance, the paycheck that most federal workers will receive between Dec. 28 and Jan. 3 covers the pay period from Dec. 9-22. The money to cover that pay period has already been appropriated by Congress and will be paid out as scheduled.
The only exception is in regard to those who worked on Dec. 22 after the shutdown began; they may see a paycheck that covers the rest of the pay period but does not include the hours worked on the 22nd.
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Their claims, however, came nearly a full day after the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released guidance to all cabinet agencies explaining how and when paychecks might be affected.
According to that guidance, the paycheck that most federal workers will receive between Dec. 28 and Jan. 3 covers the pay period from Dec. 9-22. The money to cover that pay period has already been appropriated by Congress and will be paid out as scheduled.
The only exception is in regard to those who worked on Dec. 22 after the shutdown began; they may see a paycheck that covers the rest of the pay period but does not include the hours worked on the 22nd.
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Women's March Organizer: 'White Jews, as White People, Uphold White Supremacy'
Tamika Mallory, co-president of the Women’s March, told theNew York Times that “white Jews … uphold white supremacy.” She also told a fellow left-wing activist “that Jews [need] to confront their own role in racism.”
Vanessa Wruble, a self-described Jewish activist and “early organizer of the Women’s March,” told the Times she was pushed out of the political campaign, in part, because of her “Jewish identity.”
She subsequently founded another left-wing political campaign called March On, which describes its members as “allies of the resistance” seeking to “lift up the voices of the marginalized.” The Times described March On as an organization that “supports local women activists,” making no mention of its ideological or partisan politics.
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Vanessa Wruble, a self-described Jewish activist and “early organizer of the Women’s March,” told the Times she was pushed out of the political campaign, in part, because of her “Jewish identity.”
She subsequently founded another left-wing political campaign called March On, which describes its members as “allies of the resistance” seeking to “lift up the voices of the marginalized.” The Times described March On as an organization that “supports local women activists,” making no mention of its ideological or partisan politics.
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CNN's "Reporter of the Year" Claas Relotius Embezzled Donations Away from Syrian Street Children!
Top German reporter at the liberal mag Der Spiegel was fired last week.
Claas Relotius at Germany’s far left Der Spiegel magazine fabricated his stories.
He got caught after he trashed Trump supporters in a recent piece. It was a completely made up story.
Claas Relotius won CNN’s journalist of the year award in 2014.
Claas admitted to fabricating interviews and sources in at least 14 articles.
The left loved him.
CNN gave him their top journalist award to this Fake News reporter in 2014.
But it gets even better…
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Claas Relotius at Germany’s far left Der Spiegel magazine fabricated his stories.
He got caught after he trashed Trump supporters in a recent piece. It was a completely made up story.
Claas Relotius won CNN’s journalist of the year award in 2014.
Claas admitted to fabricating interviews and sources in at least 14 articles.
The left loved him.
CNN gave him their top journalist award to this Fake News reporter in 2014.
But it gets even better…
More
New York City Loses Over 130 Residents Each Day In Middle Class Exodus
New York City's dwindling middle class has been leaving the city in droves, as the city loses over 130 residents every day according to the latest US Census data.
Comprising 48% of city residents, those with annual incomes between $30,000 and $60,000 are feeling the squeeze from higher living costs, wage stagnation and high taxes that whittle away at disposable income. New York's exodus is topped only by Chicago, according to the data analyzed by Bloomberg.
For comparison, around 61% of New Yorkers were considered middle class in the 1970s.
"The middle class is getting squeezed," says economist Peter C. Earle of the American Institute for Economic Research. "The rich in New York City are getting richer; the poor are actually getting richer, but not rich enough to be middle class."
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Comprising 48% of city residents, those with annual incomes between $30,000 and $60,000 are feeling the squeeze from higher living costs, wage stagnation and high taxes that whittle away at disposable income. New York's exodus is topped only by Chicago, according to the data analyzed by Bloomberg.
For comparison, around 61% of New Yorkers were considered middle class in the 1970s.
"The middle class is getting squeezed," says economist Peter C. Earle of the American Institute for Economic Research. "The rich in New York City are getting richer; the poor are actually getting richer, but not rich enough to be middle class."
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House Democrats Are Lining Up Behind What Could Be The Largest Expansion Of Government In Decades
Democrats are increasingly lining up to support a “Green New Deal,” which, while vague on details, could end up being the largest expansion of government in decades.
As it stands, the “Green New Deal” is more aspirational than actual policy. Indeed, it takes its name from the New Deal of the 1930s, and its main backer, incoming Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, compared it to the Great Society of the 1960s.
More than 40 Democratic lawmakers support the “Green New Deal” as part of a broad plan to fight global warming and bring about what they see as “economic, social and racial justice.” A poll found most Americans supported the deal, but knew little about it.
But the big question is when Americans find out what’s in the “Green New Deal,” will they be willing to pay for it?
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As it stands, the “Green New Deal” is more aspirational than actual policy. Indeed, it takes its name from the New Deal of the 1930s, and its main backer, incoming Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, compared it to the Great Society of the 1960s.
More than 40 Democratic lawmakers support the “Green New Deal” as part of a broad plan to fight global warming and bring about what they see as “economic, social and racial justice.” A poll found most Americans supported the deal, but knew little about it.
But the big question is when Americans find out what’s in the “Green New Deal,” will they be willing to pay for it?
More
Ocasio-Cortez Wishes Merry Christmas to 'Refugee Babies in Mangers'
Democratic Socialist and Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) wished a Merry Christmas to “refugee babies in mangers,” drawing a parallel between the plight of refugees to the Nativity story.
“Joy to the World!” tweeted Ocasio-Cortez on Christmas morning. “Merry Christmas everyone – here’s to a holiday filled with happiness, family, and love for all people. (Including refugee babies in mangers + their parents.)”
This is not the first instance in which Ocasio-Cortez linked refugees to score political points. In November, 29-year-old referred to the hundreds of migrants attempting to illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border at the San Ysidro port of entry in San Diego, California, claiming the migrants are the same as Jews who escaped persecution in Nazi Germany.
“Asking to be considered a refugee & applying for status isn’t a crime,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter, adding: “It wasn’t for Jewish families fleeing Germany. It wasn’t for targeted families fleeing Rwanda. It wasn’t for communities fleeing war-torn Syria. And it isn’t for those fleeing violence in Central America.”
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“Joy to the World!” tweeted Ocasio-Cortez on Christmas morning. “Merry Christmas everyone – here’s to a holiday filled with happiness, family, and love for all people. (Including refugee babies in mangers + their parents.)”
Breitbart TV
“Asking to be considered a refugee & applying for status isn’t a crime,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter, adding: “It wasn’t for Jewish families fleeing Germany. It wasn’t for targeted families fleeing Rwanda. It wasn’t for communities fleeing war-torn Syria. And it isn’t for those fleeing violence in Central America.”
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Due to 'deficiencies in infection control' more than 3,000 patients possibly exposed to HIV, hepatitis in New Jersey surgery center
The New Jersey Department of Health says more than 3,000 patients at a surgery center may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Officials say patients who had procedures done at the HealthPlus Surgery Center in Saddle Brook between January 2018 and Sept. 7, 2018 may have been exposed.
The center was closed by the Department of Health from September 7 to September 28, according to NorthJersey.com.
Surgery center administrator Betty McCabe says the exposure was due to 'deficiencies in infection control' involving the cleaning of instruments and injection of medications.
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Officials say patients who had procedures done at the HealthPlus Surgery Center in Saddle Brook between January 2018 and Sept. 7, 2018 may have been exposed.
The center was closed by the Department of Health from September 7 to September 28, according to NorthJersey.com.
Surgery center administrator Betty McCabe says the exposure was due to 'deficiencies in infection control' involving the cleaning of instruments and injection of medications.
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My Grandfather’s Christmas On The Battlefield: 74th Anniversary Of The Battle Of The Bulge
As long as there have been American Armed Forces, there have been American soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who spent Christmas standing in harm’s way. And 74 years ago, just outside the Belgian city of Bastogne, my grandfather was one of them.
The winter of 1944 was especially brutal, leaving some survivors of the nearly month-long campaign to wonder whether the German army or the frigid temperature was the more formidable foe. Others would come to be thankful for the cold, as it slowed the blood loss of the wounded.
My grandfather, SSG William Franklin Greenplate, was a mechanic who had traded family cars and farm equipment for heavy tanks. He left behind his wife and three young children when he went to war, and he was eventually assigned to the 12th Armored Group, 9th Armored Division.
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The winter of 1944 was especially brutal, leaving some survivors of the nearly month-long campaign to wonder whether the German army or the frigid temperature was the more formidable foe. Others would come to be thankful for the cold, as it slowed the blood loss of the wounded.
My grandfather, SSG William Franklin Greenplate, was a mechanic who had traded family cars and farm equipment for heavy tanks. He left behind his wife and three young children when he went to war, and he was eventually assigned to the 12th Armored Group, 9th Armored Division.
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Baltimore: "Fires And Explosions Turned A Quiet Neighborhood Into A War Zone"
Across Baltimore, news of explosions Friday morning reminded everyone that chaos from the 2015 Baltimore Riots has never left.
Police said a warrant had been issued for the arrest of a young woman in connection with the firebombing of multiple vehicles.
Lakia Letterlough, 25, is described as 5-feet-4-inches tall and 145 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, said the Baltimore Brew. Letterlough is wanted in connection with a series of vehicle fires.
"Somebody apparently took an accelerant and put it on a number of cars — we believe seven at this point," Interim Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle said in an afternoon Friday press conference.
CARS SET ON FIRE IN MOUNT VERNON: Baltimore Police are trying to figure out who set 10 cars on fire in Mount Vernon early this morning, causing some of them to explode.
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Police said a warrant had been issued for the arrest of a young woman in connection with the firebombing of multiple vehicles.
Lakia Letterlough, 25, is described as 5-feet-4-inches tall and 145 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, said the Baltimore Brew. Letterlough is wanted in connection with a series of vehicle fires.
"Somebody apparently took an accelerant and put it on a number of cars — we believe seven at this point," Interim Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle said in an afternoon Friday press conference.
CARS SET ON FIRE IN MOUNT VERNON: Baltimore Police are trying to figure out who set 10 cars on fire in Mount Vernon early this morning, causing some of them to explode.
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Alcohol deaths climbing, men twice as likely to die
Alcohol misuse accounted for 35,823 deaths in 2017, an increase of nearly 46 percent over almost two decades, according to a Washington Examiner analysis of mortality data.
The data, which come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, show that alcohol-related deaths have climbed steadily from the 19,469 deaths recorded in 1999. Deaths from misusing alcohol did not decline at any time since that period, and they included not only alcohol poisonings but also alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis. They do not include deaths from accidents people have while they are drinking, because in these instances, the cause of death would be drowning, a car accident, or a fall.
Deaths from such heavy drinking patterns are contributing to thelower life expectancy trend that has been observed in the U.S. in recent years, an issue compounded by opioid overdose deaths and suicides. These alcohol deaths are still lower than those caused by opioids such as heroin, which were responsible for 47,600 deaths in 2017, and suicides, which accounted for 47,173 deaths. When combined with deaths from accidents where people have been drinking, however, they climb to 88,000 deaths a year, federal reports show.
“I consider alcohol the elephant in the room when it comes to the drug abuse issues that have been surfacing,” said Dr. George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
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The data, which come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, show that alcohol-related deaths have climbed steadily from the 19,469 deaths recorded in 1999. Deaths from misusing alcohol did not decline at any time since that period, and they included not only alcohol poisonings but also alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis. They do not include deaths from accidents people have while they are drinking, because in these instances, the cause of death would be drowning, a car accident, or a fall.
Deaths from such heavy drinking patterns are contributing to thelower life expectancy trend that has been observed in the U.S. in recent years, an issue compounded by opioid overdose deaths and suicides. These alcohol deaths are still lower than those caused by opioids such as heroin, which were responsible for 47,600 deaths in 2017, and suicides, which accounted for 47,173 deaths. When combined with deaths from accidents where people have been drinking, however, they climb to 88,000 deaths a year, federal reports show.
“I consider alcohol the elephant in the room when it comes to the drug abuse issues that have been surfacing,” said Dr. George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
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Speaker Ryan Said He Would Never Support President Trump and He Never Has - Now We Know His Office Was Also Pushing Fake Russia Dossier!!
Speaker Paul Ryan was adamantly against candidate and then President Trump. He said so in a tape released after the election of Ryan speaking with House Republicans.
He was also allegedly linked to the release of the p*ssy tape which almost cost candidate Trump the election.
Ryan did nothing to support the President’s border wall and to address the criminal Deep State. He actually allowed the corrupt FBI, DOJ and Mueller investigation to harass President Trump since before his inauguration.
Now we come to find out that he was involved in pushing the fake Russia Fusion dossier.
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He was also allegedly linked to the release of the p*ssy tape which almost cost candidate Trump the election.
Ryan did nothing to support the President’s border wall and to address the criminal Deep State. He actually allowed the corrupt FBI, DOJ and Mueller investigation to harass President Trump since before his inauguration.
Now we come to find out that he was involved in pushing the fake Russia Fusion dossier.
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200 Years Ago Today Silent Night Was First Performed at St. Nikola Church in Oberndorf, Austria!
Two hundred years ago tonight Silent Night was first performed in Oberndorf’s St. Nikola Church in 1818.
Silent Night is the most famous Christmas song in the world.
Even Maria von Trapp and her Family sang it in front of the White House in Washington after World War II to get money for careboxes to be sent to Austria.
On 24th December 1818, Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber sang “Silent Night” in Oberndorf near Salzburg for the first time. The poem was written by Mohr, a young pastor from Salzburg, and the melody was composed by the teacher and organist Gruber from Upper Austria. The Salzburg-born Joseph Mohr wrote the touching poem stanzas of “Silent Night” as a young assistant priest in Mariapfarr in Salzburg’s Lungau region in 1816. Two years later he met the teacher Franz Xaver Gruber in Oberndorf and requested that he compose a melody for the poem. “Silent Night” was first performed by the two in Oberndorf’s St. Nikola church.
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Silent Night is the most famous Christmas song in the world.
Even Maria von Trapp and her Family sang it in front of the White House in Washington after World War II to get money for careboxes to be sent to Austria.
On 24th December 1818, Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber sang “Silent Night” in Oberndorf near Salzburg for the first time. The poem was written by Mohr, a young pastor from Salzburg, and the melody was composed by the teacher and organist Gruber from Upper Austria. The Salzburg-born Joseph Mohr wrote the touching poem stanzas of “Silent Night” as a young assistant priest in Mariapfarr in Salzburg’s Lungau region in 1816. Two years later he met the teacher Franz Xaver Gruber in Oberndorf and requested that he compose a melody for the poem. “Silent Night” was first performed by the two in Oberndorf’s St. Nikola church.
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Ted Malloch: Hooray for President Trump! He is Willing to Shut Down Govt. to Ensure the American Citizenry is Safe and Secure!
Big Deal the US government is (partially) shut down.
Close it down permanently to get a wall.
You would think, according to the mainstream liberal media, that the world was coming to an end.
Keep calm and focus.
There have been 20 shutdowns in modern US history.
Six in the 1970s, ranging from 8 to 17 days in length.
The longest was back in 1995 for 3 weeks sending federal workers home.
Did the country collapse then?
Did Americans truly suffer?
Do we have TOO much government, anyway?
This came during the gridlock of the Clinton Administration. It was a Democrat President.
Truthfully, going way back, the Congress and President often disagree. The separation of powers was intended to have this competing effect.
And closing government down is one way to try and accomplish a political agenda.
Maybe closing a part of the government every few weeks would actually be a good idea, anyway.
There is a reason after all for why they call them “non-essential” government employees.
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Close it down permanently to get a wall.
You would think, according to the mainstream liberal media, that the world was coming to an end.
Keep calm and focus.
There have been 20 shutdowns in modern US history.
Six in the 1970s, ranging from 8 to 17 days in length.
The longest was back in 1995 for 3 weeks sending federal workers home.
Did the country collapse then?
Did Americans truly suffer?
Do we have TOO much government, anyway?
This came during the gridlock of the Clinton Administration. It was a Democrat President.
Truthfully, going way back, the Congress and President often disagree. The separation of powers was intended to have this competing effect.
And closing government down is one way to try and accomplish a political agenda.
Maybe closing a part of the government every few weeks would actually be a good idea, anyway.
There is a reason after all for why they call them “non-essential” government employees.
More
Police: 7-Eleven Clerk Shoots Robbery Suspect on Christmas Eve
A 7-Eleven clerk in Phoenix, Arizona, shot and wounded an alleged robbery suspect in the early morning hours Christmas Eve.
Fox 10 reports that the wounded suspect was accompanied by a juvenile accomplice who was able to escape.
Police believe the suspect was involved in two other robberies within an hour of being shot.
AZ Family reports that the first of the two other alleged robberies “happened shortly after 1 a.m. near 12th Street and Maryland Avenue.” Either the suspect or his accomplice struck the clerk over the head with a handgun during this robbery.
The second of the first two alleged robberies “happened shortly before 2 a.m. near 7th Street and Bethany Home Road.” No one was harmed in the second reported robbery.
The alleged robbery in which the suspect was shot occurred at 2 a.m.
On November 18, 2018, Breitbart News reported that crime plummeted for Quik Trip after the convenience store change decided to put armed personnel in their stores. KWCH reported that the personnel will be armed security, but QuikTrip also left the door open to armed clerks in situations where the clerks “have previous experience and necessary licenses.”
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Fox 10 reports that the wounded suspect was accompanied by a juvenile accomplice who was able to escape.
Police believe the suspect was involved in two other robberies within an hour of being shot.
AZ Family reports that the first of the two other alleged robberies “happened shortly after 1 a.m. near 12th Street and Maryland Avenue.” Either the suspect or his accomplice struck the clerk over the head with a handgun during this robbery.
The second of the first two alleged robberies “happened shortly before 2 a.m. near 7th Street and Bethany Home Road.” No one was harmed in the second reported robbery.
The alleged robbery in which the suspect was shot occurred at 2 a.m.
On November 18, 2018, Breitbart News reported that crime plummeted for Quik Trip after the convenience store change decided to put armed personnel in their stores. KWCH reported that the personnel will be armed security, but QuikTrip also left the door open to armed clerks in situations where the clerks “have previous experience and necessary licenses.”
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Subject: Study Finds Liberals ‘Patronize’ Minorities, Conservatives Don't
A study by Princeton and Yale researchers has found that white liberals act in “patronizing” ways toward blacks and other minorities, while white conservatives do not.
White Democratic presidential candidates and self-identified liberals are more likely to downplay their own competence when speaking to minorities, using fewer words that emphasize competence and more words that show warmth, according to the report titled “Self-Presentation in Interracial Settings: The Competence Downshift by White Liberals.”
In contrast, the study found that white conservatives do not address white and minority audiences in a significantly different fashion.
Cydney Dupree, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at the Yale School of Management who worked on the study alongside Princeton co-authorSusan Fiske, said she was surprised by the findings.
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White Democratic presidential candidates and self-identified liberals are more likely to downplay their own competence when speaking to minorities, using fewer words that emphasize competence and more words that show warmth, according to the report titled “Self-Presentation in Interracial Settings: The Competence Downshift by White Liberals.”
In contrast, the study found that white conservatives do not address white and minority audiences in a significantly different fashion.
Cydney Dupree, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at the Yale School of Management who worked on the study alongside Princeton co-authorSusan Fiske, said she was surprised by the findings.
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Kamala Harris Shows Her Anti-Catholic Bigotry
In the true spirit of the holiday season, Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) showed their true colors of bigotry and bias against Catholicism in a recent judicial confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill.
Before the committee was Omaha lawyer Brian C. Buescher, nominated by President Trump to represent the District of Nebraska on the United States District Court. Buescher is also a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, an iconic service group of nearly two million Catholics, worldwide, that recruits members for volunteer work and fundraising for charitable causes. The Knights of Columbushave a distinguished reputation for selfless public service, charitable work and the promotion of Catholic values both within and outside of the church. Buescher’s membership did not sit well with Harris and Hirono, although the pair of potential 2020 contenders do not seem to actually understand the function of the Knights of Columbus society.
Originally founded in 1882, the Knights of Columbus started as a society benefitting poverty-stricken Catholic immigrants; now, the organization donates nearly 200 million dollars per year from approximately 15,000 chapters across twelve countries.
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Before the committee was Omaha lawyer Brian C. Buescher, nominated by President Trump to represent the District of Nebraska on the United States District Court. Buescher is also a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, an iconic service group of nearly two million Catholics, worldwide, that recruits members for volunteer work and fundraising for charitable causes. The Knights of Columbushave a distinguished reputation for selfless public service, charitable work and the promotion of Catholic values both within and outside of the church. Buescher’s membership did not sit well with Harris and Hirono, although the pair of potential 2020 contenders do not seem to actually understand the function of the Knights of Columbus society.
Originally founded in 1882, the Knights of Columbus started as a society benefitting poverty-stricken Catholic immigrants; now, the organization donates nearly 200 million dollars per year from approximately 15,000 chapters across twelve countries.
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Trump Fact-Checks Media: Brett McGurk Responsible for Pallets of Cash to Iran
President Donald Trump reacted Monday to critics who had rallied around former U.S. envoy Brett McGurk, noting that he was the Obama administration official responsible for sending pallets of cash to Iran for U.S. hostages.
McGurk, who was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2015 as special envoy to the international coalition fighting the so-called “Islamic State” (ISIS), resigned his post over the weekend in protest against President Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Though McGurk had been due to leave his post in February, his resignation provided more fodder for Trump’s critics in the wake of Secretary of Defense James Mattis’s resignation Thursday.
Trump initially responded by accusing McGurk of “grandstanding,” adding that he had been appointed by Obama and that Trump did not even know him.
More here
McGurk, who was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2015 as special envoy to the international coalition fighting the so-called “Islamic State” (ISIS), resigned his post over the weekend in protest against President Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Though McGurk had been due to leave his post in February, his resignation provided more fodder for Trump’s critics in the wake of Secretary of Defense James Mattis’s resignation Thursday.
Trump initially responded by accusing McGurk of “grandstanding,” adding that he had been appointed by Obama and that Trump did not even know him.
More here
'Irreparable damage to the bureau': Former FBI agents sound off on James Comey
James Comey has recognized a kindred spirit in Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who in 1951, penned the immortal lines, “Do not go gentle into that good night … Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” To wit, the former FBI director confidently strode up to microphones following two days of contentious testimony before House lawmakers, and let it all hang out. Comey, the man some sympathetic media-types have referred to as a humble servant-leader, seized the opportunity to settle some old scores as he pilloried Fox News and the Republican Party.
“The FBI’s reputation has taken a big hit because the president with his acolytes has lied about it constantly,” Comey lectured reporters following the final closed-door session with the House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees on Monday. Recognizing a unique opportunity, Comey paused for effect ... and then continued: “At some point, someone has to stand up and face the fear of Fox News, fear of their base, fear of mean tweets, stand up for the values of this country and not slink away into retirement but stand up and speak the truth.”
His shot across the bow at House Republicans was his latest in a recent line of partisan snipes at a political party with which he once publicly claimed affiliation. During his long government career, Comey played the near-perfect non-partisan actor, earning accolades from both sides of the aisle. His behind-the-scenes, self-serving planting of a story that highlighted his “courageous non-partisanship” during a now well-chronicled hospital bedside standoff with the George W. Bush White House on March 11, 2004, during the Stellar Wind re-authorization battle, is legion — and earned him former President Barack Obama’s nod to become the seventh director of the FBI.
It is also a window into the public career of a man who self-professes his own humility and sacrifice at every turn.
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“The FBI’s reputation has taken a big hit because the president with his acolytes has lied about it constantly,” Comey lectured reporters following the final closed-door session with the House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees on Monday. Recognizing a unique opportunity, Comey paused for effect ... and then continued: “At some point, someone has to stand up and face the fear of Fox News, fear of their base, fear of mean tweets, stand up for the values of this country and not slink away into retirement but stand up and speak the truth.”
His shot across the bow at House Republicans was his latest in a recent line of partisan snipes at a political party with which he once publicly claimed affiliation. During his long government career, Comey played the near-perfect non-partisan actor, earning accolades from both sides of the aisle. His behind-the-scenes, self-serving planting of a story that highlighted his “courageous non-partisanship” during a now well-chronicled hospital bedside standoff with the George W. Bush White House on March 11, 2004, during the Stellar Wind re-authorization battle, is legion — and earned him former President Barack Obama’s nod to become the seventh director of the FBI.
It is also a window into the public career of a man who self-professes his own humility and sacrifice at every turn.
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Here Are The Most Egregious Fake News Stories Of 2018
As 2018 comes to a close, it’s time to review the year’s worst cases of media misquotes, misleading narratives, major corrections and straight-up fake news.
While last year’s fake reporting largely occurred during the media’s relentless pursuit to prove Russian collusion, this year’s list is much more varied. However, some themes emerged: stories about then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and the U.S. border were routinely flagged for misinformation.
Without further ado, here is the list of 2018’s worst examples of fake news:
1. WAPO BLAMES BORDER PATROL FOR DEATH OF 7-YEAR-OLD MIGRANT
The Washington Post published a story in December focusing on a 7-year-old migrant child from Guatemala who died in border patrol custody.
Despite WaPo’s misleading headline suggesting border patrol was to blame for the girl’s death, the full timeline of events and statements from the girl’s father praising border agents revealed a different story.
While last year’s fake reporting largely occurred during the media’s relentless pursuit to prove Russian collusion, this year’s list is much more varied. However, some themes emerged: stories about then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and the U.S. border were routinely flagged for misinformation.
Without further ado, here is the list of 2018’s worst examples of fake news:
1. WAPO BLAMES BORDER PATROL FOR DEATH OF 7-YEAR-OLD MIGRANT
The Washington Post published a story in December focusing on a 7-year-old migrant child from Guatemala who died in border patrol custody.
Despite WaPo’s misleading headline suggesting border patrol was to blame for the girl’s death, the full timeline of events and statements from the girl’s father praising border agents revealed a different story.
2. CNN AND THE HILL SPREAD RETRACTED SEXUAL ASSAULT CLAIM AGAINST KAVANAUGH
CNN and The Hill both reported on a sexual assault claim against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in late September without ever mentioning that the claim had been quickly retracted.
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CNN and The Hill both reported on a sexual assault claim against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in late September without ever mentioning that the claim had been quickly retracted.
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It’s ‘Now Or Never’
Michael Reagan, a son of former President Ronald Reagan, urged President Donald Trump to stand firm on pushing for border security wall funding the day before the government shut down because Democrats refused to fund the wall — warning that it’s “now or never.”
With less than two weeks to go until House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) presumably becomes House speaker as a new Democratic majority takes over, Trump is fighting hard to pass border wall funding while the GOP still controls Congress.
The House ultimately passed a stopgap bill with $5 billion for the border wall last Thursday.
The Senate, which passed a budget without border wall funding earlier, failed to garner enough votes this past Friday for a budget bill with border wall funding.
The Senate will reconvene on Thursday to tackle the funding stalemate and attempt to reach an agreement.
But the former president’s son, Michael Reagan, urged Trump to continue pushing for border wall funding in the face of staunch Democratic resistance to the idea of securing the border.
“Hey @POTUS in 1986 my father made a deal with the Democrats Amnesty for Border Security my father is still waiting.U have no choice its now or never … #BuildTheWallNow,” Michael Reagan tweeted at Trump.
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With less than two weeks to go until House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) presumably becomes House speaker as a new Democratic majority takes over, Trump is fighting hard to pass border wall funding while the GOP still controls Congress.
The House ultimately passed a stopgap bill with $5 billion for the border wall last Thursday.
The Senate, which passed a budget without border wall funding earlier, failed to garner enough votes this past Friday for a budget bill with border wall funding.
The Senate will reconvene on Thursday to tackle the funding stalemate and attempt to reach an agreement.
But the former president’s son, Michael Reagan, urged Trump to continue pushing for border wall funding in the face of staunch Democratic resistance to the idea of securing the border.
“Hey @POTUS in 1986 my father made a deal with the Democrats Amnesty for Border Security my father is still waiting.U have no choice its now or never … #BuildTheWallNow,” Michael Reagan tweeted at Trump.
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Five Times Higher Ed. Cried "White Supremacy" In 2018
Campus Reform rounded up the top five instances of students and professors branding others "white supremacist" or teaching about the concept in class...
Institutions from Salisbury University in Maryland, all the way to California State University-Dominguez Hills have made the list.
1. That time some conservative students tried to buy coffee in their MAGA hats
Students at Fordham University staged a protest against “white supremacy.” The hour-and-a-half-long protest consisted of chants like “hate speech is not free speech” and signs reading “White Supremacy Kills."
“Fordham’s policies and protection of white supremacy is putting people at risk,” one student shouted into a megaphone. Another explained that the protest was meant to elicit a response from university administration.
When asked to provide evidence of white supremacy on their campus, protesters recalled an incident to The Fordham Ram in which a student in charge of an on-campus coffee shop was disciplined for asking College Republicans to leave because of their Make America Great Again gear.
Protesters said showing up to the coffee house in Trump swag was “threatening behavior” and argued that Fordham’s actions constituted “protection of white supremacy.”
2. The professor that went full #Resist in her course syllabus
California State University-Dominguez Hills professor Dr. Brooke Mascagni included in her course syllabus an explanation that President Donald Trump “won the 2016 election by appealing to hatred and bigotry."
The syllabus went on to blame the January government shutdown on Republicans.
"Moreover, the Republican Party controls the executive and legislative branches of government, yet couldn’t manage to keep the government running on the one year anniversary of Trump’s inauguration,” it said.
“And, oh yeah, Russia interfered with the U.S. electoral process and our president is under investigation for obstruction of justice,” Mascagni added.
"Future generations will wonder how the people of what was once considered the greatest democracy in the world elected a white supremacist, misogynist, narcissistic, volatile, belligerent, uninformed, stubborn, failed businessman and orange reality star to the highest office,” she wrote.
3. The 'White Supremacy' checklist
In case you aren’t sure whether or not you’re a white supremacist, a Linfield College English professor made a handy checklist to help you figure it out.
Reshmi Dutt-Ballerstadt published her checklist in a January Inside Higher Edop-ed meant to help individuals determine whether or not they were actively “supporting white supremacy.”
Transgressions on the list included working “in a position of power in a predominantly white institution” and not making an effort “to change the white supremacist power structures within your departments, committees and institutional decision-making process.”
A desire to suggest “‘stellar’ (mostly men) and obviously ‘white’” colleagues for promotions and recognition also helps to aid white supremacy, according to Dutt-Ballerstadt. This type of thinking lends itself to an unacceptable "logic of meritocracy that is built on this racist assumption that everyone has had the same access and opportunities.”
More
Institutions from Salisbury University in Maryland, all the way to California State University-Dominguez Hills have made the list.
1. That time some conservative students tried to buy coffee in their MAGA hats
Students at Fordham University staged a protest against “white supremacy.” The hour-and-a-half-long protest consisted of chants like “hate speech is not free speech” and signs reading “White Supremacy Kills."
“Fordham’s policies and protection of white supremacy is putting people at risk,” one student shouted into a megaphone. Another explained that the protest was meant to elicit a response from university administration.
When asked to provide evidence of white supremacy on their campus, protesters recalled an incident to The Fordham Ram in which a student in charge of an on-campus coffee shop was disciplined for asking College Republicans to leave because of their Make America Great Again gear.
Protesters said showing up to the coffee house in Trump swag was “threatening behavior” and argued that Fordham’s actions constituted “protection of white supremacy.”
2. The professor that went full #Resist in her course syllabus
California State University-Dominguez Hills professor Dr. Brooke Mascagni included in her course syllabus an explanation that President Donald Trump “won the 2016 election by appealing to hatred and bigotry."
The syllabus went on to blame the January government shutdown on Republicans.
"Moreover, the Republican Party controls the executive and legislative branches of government, yet couldn’t manage to keep the government running on the one year anniversary of Trump’s inauguration,” it said.
“And, oh yeah, Russia interfered with the U.S. electoral process and our president is under investigation for obstruction of justice,” Mascagni added.
"Future generations will wonder how the people of what was once considered the greatest democracy in the world elected a white supremacist, misogynist, narcissistic, volatile, belligerent, uninformed, stubborn, failed businessman and orange reality star to the highest office,” she wrote.
3. The 'White Supremacy' checklist
In case you aren’t sure whether or not you’re a white supremacist, a Linfield College English professor made a handy checklist to help you figure it out.
Reshmi Dutt-Ballerstadt published her checklist in a January Inside Higher Edop-ed meant to help individuals determine whether or not they were actively “supporting white supremacy.”
Transgressions on the list included working “in a position of power in a predominantly white institution” and not making an effort “to change the white supremacist power structures within your departments, committees and institutional decision-making process.”
A desire to suggest “‘stellar’ (mostly men) and obviously ‘white’” colleagues for promotions and recognition also helps to aid white supremacy, according to Dutt-Ballerstadt. This type of thinking lends itself to an unacceptable "logic of meritocracy that is built on this racist assumption that everyone has had the same access and opportunities.”
More
65 Countries Have Border Walls and So Does Nancy Pelosi’s Backyard
Border Security for me but NOT for thee…
House Speaker-Designate Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) told reporters in early December that she will reject ANY AND ALL funding for a border wall.
Fox News Congress reporter Chad Pergram asked Pelosi, “Would you be willing support some degree of wall funding if you got a permanent bona fide solution on DACA?”
Pelosi quickly shot back without skipping a beat, “No, it’s immoral.”
At least one-third of the world’s nations have border walls or barriers with their neighbors.
And Nancy Pelosi has a wall around the backyard at her home in San Francisco.
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House Speaker-Designate Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) told reporters in early December that she will reject ANY AND ALL funding for a border wall.
Fox News Congress reporter Chad Pergram asked Pelosi, “Would you be willing support some degree of wall funding if you got a permanent bona fide solution on DACA?”
Pelosi quickly shot back without skipping a beat, “No, it’s immoral.”
At least one-third of the world’s nations have border walls or barriers with their neighbors.
And Nancy Pelosi has a wall around the backyard at her home in San Francisco.
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US Economic Growth stays Strong at 3.4% GDP in Q3
Third quarter U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) was slightly revised to 3.4 on Friday, the third estimate nearly unchanged from the 3.5 percent second estimate.
Real gross domestic product was revised a third time slightly Friday to 3.4 percent after a second Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Q3 estimate of 3.5.
“Real gross domestic income (GDI) increased 4.3 percent in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 0.9 percent in the second quarter,” according to the BEA announcement. Real GDP and real GDI averaged “a supplemental measure of U.S. economic activity that equally weights GDP and GDI, increased 3.8 percent in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 2.5 percent in the second quarter.”
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Real gross domestic product was revised a third time slightly Friday to 3.4 percent after a second Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Q3 estimate of 3.5.
“Real gross domestic income (GDI) increased 4.3 percent in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 0.9 percent in the second quarter,” according to the BEA announcement. Real GDP and real GDI averaged “a supplemental measure of U.S. economic activity that equally weights GDP and GDI, increased 3.8 percent in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 2.5 percent in the second quarter.”
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Trump Admin. gets rid of Lax Discipline Rules under Obama
President Donald Trump’s administration officially got rid of a lax discipline rule Friday instated by former President Barack Obama’s administration that wanted to ease racial disparities by discouraging student punishment.
The Education and Justice Departments formally revoked the Obama-era policy, The Associated Press reported Friday.
The removal comes after Trump’s safety commission, led by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, released several proposals on Tuesday. Policy suggestions included arming school personnel, cities enacting laws where guns can be temporarily removed from people who could hurt themselves or others and districts installing blast-proof glass on their buildings, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Obama administration 2014 policy aimed to address racial disparities in student punishment as where “black students are suspended and expelled at a rate three times greater than white students,” the Department of Education’s website said. The policy wanted school officials to take “restorative” measures that did not take kids out of class and reporting to police should be the final resort.
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The Education and Justice Departments formally revoked the Obama-era policy, The Associated Press reported Friday.
The removal comes after Trump’s safety commission, led by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, released several proposals on Tuesday. Policy suggestions included arming school personnel, cities enacting laws where guns can be temporarily removed from people who could hurt themselves or others and districts installing blast-proof glass on their buildings, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Obama administration 2014 policy aimed to address racial disparities in student punishment as where “black students are suspended and expelled at a rate three times greater than white students,” the Department of Education’s website said. The policy wanted school officials to take “restorative” measures that did not take kids out of class and reporting to police should be the final resort.
More
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