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Thursday, June 13, 2019
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Fitton: FBI Notes on Clinton Emails Go Missing
Given the FBI’s repeated intransigence over the years in responding to our FOIA requests, I’m not of a mind to assume this story represents simply an innocent mistake.
The FBI has released 277 pages of redacted records that show the FBI failed to produce information from an August 2015 meeting with Intelligence Community Inspector General about Hillary Clinton’s email server. The FBI claimed that notes are “missing” and the CD containing notes from meeting is likely “damaged” irreparably.
The records, which were posted on the FBI’s website, are the 32nd release of documents in response to our 2016 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit, Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:16-cv-02046). We filed the lawsuit after the Justice Department failed to comply with a July 7, 2016, FOIA request for:
All FD-302 forms prepared pursuant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private e-mail server during her tenure.
All records of communications between any agent, employee, or representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding, concerning, or related to the aforementioned investigation. This request includes, but is not limited to, any related communications with any official, employee, or representative of the Department of Justice, the Executive Office of the President, the Democratic National Committee, and/or the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton.
All records related to the meeting between Attorney General Lynch and former President Bill Clinton on June 27, 2016.
Included in the documents are February 2019 FBI electronic communications documenting the damaged CD and the missing notes from the August 3, 2015, meeting between FBI special agents and the ICIG about Clinton’s server:
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The FBI has released 277 pages of redacted records that show the FBI failed to produce information from an August 2015 meeting with Intelligence Community Inspector General about Hillary Clinton’s email server. The FBI claimed that notes are “missing” and the CD containing notes from meeting is likely “damaged” irreparably.
The records, which were posted on the FBI’s website, are the 32nd release of documents in response to our 2016 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit, Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:16-cv-02046). We filed the lawsuit after the Justice Department failed to comply with a July 7, 2016, FOIA request for:
All FD-302 forms prepared pursuant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private e-mail server during her tenure.
All records of communications between any agent, employee, or representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding, concerning, or related to the aforementioned investigation. This request includes, but is not limited to, any related communications with any official, employee, or representative of the Department of Justice, the Executive Office of the President, the Democratic National Committee, and/or the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton.
All records related to the meeting between Attorney General Lynch and former President Bill Clinton on June 27, 2016.
Included in the documents are February 2019 FBI electronic communications documenting the damaged CD and the missing notes from the August 3, 2015, meeting between FBI special agents and the ICIG about Clinton’s server:
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Trump asserts executive privilege over material sought in census 2020 citizenship decision
President Trump has asserted executive privilege over census 2020 materials the House Oversight Committee is seeking from the Justice and Commerce departments.
The Justice Department informed the committee of the move as Democrats who lead the panel prepared to vote Wednesday to hold Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt of Congress for refusing to supply the information.
The move by the Justice Department is meant to make it easier for the Trump administration to prevail in court, which is where Democrats plan to take the case by voting on contempt.
REPORT: Rep. Ilhan Omar Filed Taxes With Her Now-Husband While Married To Someone Else
Rep. Ilhan Omar's (D-MN) private life has been the subject of some scrutiny before (fairly or unfairly), but a new discovery about Omar's tax returns has shifted focus on to the Minnesota legislator's complicated family situation, and whether her relationships may have led her and her now-husband to violate federal law.
Last week, a Minnesota campaign finance review board released a report detailing a months-long investigation into whether Omar violated Minnesota ethics laws. But, according to The Hill, the report also speculated that Omar and her husband, Ahmed Hirsi, filed joint tax returns in 2014 and 2015 while Omar was still legally married to another man.
Omar's fundraising did land her in some hot water. She was "ordered ... to repay her state House campaign committee nearly $3,500 in funds used in violation of law, as well as pay to the state a $500 civil penalty" for misusing or miscategorizing money that was supposed to go toward her campaign for Congress (including, allegedly, a nearly $3,000 payment to a divorce attorney).
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Last week, a Minnesota campaign finance review board released a report detailing a months-long investigation into whether Omar violated Minnesota ethics laws. But, according to The Hill, the report also speculated that Omar and her husband, Ahmed Hirsi, filed joint tax returns in 2014 and 2015 while Omar was still legally married to another man.
Omar's fundraising did land her in some hot water. She was "ordered ... to repay her state House campaign committee nearly $3,500 in funds used in violation of law, as well as pay to the state a $500 civil penalty" for misusing or miscategorizing money that was supposed to go toward her campaign for Congress (including, allegedly, a nearly $3,000 payment to a divorce attorney).
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Accident On Route 90
OC fire EMS on the scene Rt.90 and St. Martins Neck Rd. for a motor vehicle accident with injuries. West bound is shut down at this time. Expect delays.
Montgomery County authorities observe violent marijuana-related trend
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — A Montgomery County jury found a Silver Spring man guilty of murder Tuesday for his role in a violent drug deal.
Kairee Dorsey had been accused of shooting Andrew Turner, 18, of Germantown, in December 2017.
Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said Dorsey and another man went to Turner's house to buy marijuana. However, McCarthy said Dorsey original intention was to kill Turner and steal all of his drugs.
"This is another example of a drug deal regarding marijuana gone bad," he said.
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Kairee Dorsey had been accused of shooting Andrew Turner, 18, of Germantown, in December 2017.
Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said Dorsey and another man went to Turner's house to buy marijuana. However, McCarthy said Dorsey original intention was to kill Turner and steal all of his drugs.
"This is another example of a drug deal regarding marijuana gone bad," he said.
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Candace Owens spars with Dr. Cornel West over the impact of socialism on African-Americans
A lively debate ensued on "The Ingraham Angle" Tuesday evening between conservative commentator Candace Owens and renowned Harvard philosopher Dr. Cornel West.
The two discussed 2020 presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders and hashed out their disagreements on the issue of welfare policies and their impact on the African-American community.
The two had a rare agreement in their condemnation of Biden, who Dr. West slammed as a "backward-looking neo-liberal with little vision and less courage." Dr. West, for the second consecutive presidential election, has thrown his support behind Bernie Sanders -- an endorsement Owens vehemently disagreed with.
Sanders' self-declared Democratic socialism is the primary issue Owens has with him as a candidate, she said, arguing that socialist welfare policies have "destroyed and decimated the black community."
The professor and activist went on to say that Bernie Sanders is a politician who has "vision, courage and consistency" who has stood steadfast with poor working Americans.
More/video here
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/candace-owens-cornel-west-ingraham-angle-socialism
The two discussed 2020 presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders and hashed out their disagreements on the issue of welfare policies and their impact on the African-American community.
The two had a rare agreement in their condemnation of Biden, who Dr. West slammed as a "backward-looking neo-liberal with little vision and less courage." Dr. West, for the second consecutive presidential election, has thrown his support behind Bernie Sanders -- an endorsement Owens vehemently disagreed with.
Sanders' self-declared Democratic socialism is the primary issue Owens has with him as a candidate, she said, arguing that socialist welfare policies have "destroyed and decimated the black community."
The professor and activist went on to say that Bernie Sanders is a politician who has "vision, courage and consistency" who has stood steadfast with poor working Americans.
More/video here
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/candace-owens-cornel-west-ingraham-angle-socialism
Trash Bags Of Former Baltimore Mayor’s Book Keep Showing Up At A Book Bank – And No One Knows Why
Since March, a trash bag full of 20 to 30 copies of “Healthy Holly” children’s books has appeared every so often at the Maryland Book Bank.
“Every time they’ve come in, it’s never been just five or six,” Kim Crout, program manager for the book bank, told The Baltimore Sun. “It’s always been a trash bag of 20 or 30, and they’re always just left here when we get in.”
The book series was written by scandal-plagued former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh. Pugh resigned in May, claiming she was suffering from health issues. Her resignation coincided with investigations from the FBI, the Maryland state prosecutor’s office and the Baltimore city ethics board, according to the Sun. The main crux of the scandal involved Pugh’s deals with the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) to purchase hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of her books, which the Sun said suffered “from editing mistakes.”
It was the Sun that first began investigating the deal, which came under scrutiny because the UMMS had other business contracts pending with Baltimore.
The books keep appearing at the book bank, but no one knows why.
Pugh’s attorney, Steve Silverman, told the Sun that the former mayor wasn’t sending the trash bags full of books to the book bank.
“No one associated with Healthy Holly LLC or Catherine Pugh has any knowledge that this is occurring, and if true, who is doing this and the source of the supply of books,” he told the outlet on Tuesday.
Pugh had said the books were supposed to go to Baltimore City Public Schools, but officials told the Sun they never asked for the books and hadn’t received a recent installment.
The people who run the book bank are stumped.
The other interesting part of the equation is that children have no interest in the books, according to Crout.
“It’s like they have a nose for the fact that they’re crap,” she told the Sun.
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Democrat Cummings Brings Wife’s Clients Before His Committee
Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings (MD), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, is facing accusations that he is using his position in Congress to financially benefit his wife, whose charity may have gained "illegal private benefit" from his committee activities.
Cummings' wife, Maya Rockeymoore, is the chairman of the Maryland Democrat Party and she "runs two entities, a nonprofit group called the Center for Global Policy Solutions and a for-profit consulting firm called Global Policy Solutions, LLC, whose operations appear to have overlapped, according to the IRS complaint filed by watchdog group the National Legal and Policy Center," The Washington Examiner reported, adding that Rockeymoore's charity "received millions from special interest groups and corporations that had business before her husband’s committee and could have been used illegally."
One of Global Policy Solutions' clients is AARP, which testified before Cummings' committee earlier this year on the prices of prescription drugs after Cummings cited an AARP analysis.
"Current prescription price trends are simply not sustainable," Catherine Alicia Georges, AARP’s national volunteer president told the House Oversight and Reform Committee in January. "Drug companies are working hard to try to shift the blame to others in the health care system, leaving them free to set incredibly high prices and increase them with little restraint."
AARP, which sells insurance, has launched a new campaign, "Stop Rx Greed," that aims to drive down the cost of prescription drugs by pushing for artificial government price controls on prescription drug prices.
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Cummings' wife, Maya Rockeymoore, is the chairman of the Maryland Democrat Party and she "runs two entities, a nonprofit group called the Center for Global Policy Solutions and a for-profit consulting firm called Global Policy Solutions, LLC, whose operations appear to have overlapped, according to the IRS complaint filed by watchdog group the National Legal and Policy Center," The Washington Examiner reported, adding that Rockeymoore's charity "received millions from special interest groups and corporations that had business before her husband’s committee and could have been used illegally."
One of Global Policy Solutions' clients is AARP, which testified before Cummings' committee earlier this year on the prices of prescription drugs after Cummings cited an AARP analysis.
"Current prescription price trends are simply not sustainable," Catherine Alicia Georges, AARP’s national volunteer president told the House Oversight and Reform Committee in January. "Drug companies are working hard to try to shift the blame to others in the health care system, leaving them free to set incredibly high prices and increase them with little restraint."
AARP, which sells insurance, has launched a new campaign, "Stop Rx Greed," that aims to drive down the cost of prescription drugs by pushing for artificial government price controls on prescription drug prices.
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RANKING MEMBER JORDAN: CHAIRMAN CUMMINGS’S CONTEMPT PROCEEDING VIOLATES COMMITTEE RULES
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH), Ranking Member of the Committee, sent a letter to Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) condemning the Chairman’s violation of Committee rules in his rush to hold Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt of Congress concerning the reinstitution of a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
Chairman Cummings failed to distribute a memorandum detailing the agenda for the Committee’s business meeting at least three calendar days in advance, as required by Committee rules. The Chairman’s violation of the rules put the legal sufficiency of any contempt action at risk.
Excerpts from the letter:
“Under the Rule 2(f) of the Committee’s rules, you must provide “every member of the Committee . . . with a memorandum at least three calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays . . . ) before each meeting or hearing.” The memorandum for the business meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 12 should have been distributed no later than Friday, June 7. It was not. I am unaware of any “unusual circumstances” that would necessitate a business meeting without a timely memorandum. If you intend to proceed in considering the contempt resolution at the business meeting scheduled for June 12, you risk undermining the ability of the House of Representatives to enforce a finding of contempt.”
“The record before the Committee does not support contempt of Congress at this time. Both Attorney General Barr and Secretary Ross have cooperated-and continue to cooperate-with your investigation. In fact, the Committee has received over 30,000 pages of documents from the Administration. The Committee’s fact-finding is ongoing, and you have scheduled three transcribed interviews with witnesses in the upcoming weeks. If you were serious about getting to the facts on the Administration’s decision to reinstitute a citizenship question on the 2020 Census, you should attempt to obtain the information from other sources before rushing to contempt of Congress.”
Full text of the letter can be found here.
Chairman Cummings failed to distribute a memorandum detailing the agenda for the Committee’s business meeting at least three calendar days in advance, as required by Committee rules. The Chairman’s violation of the rules put the legal sufficiency of any contempt action at risk.
Excerpts from the letter:
“Under the Rule 2(f) of the Committee’s rules, you must provide “every member of the Committee . . . with a memorandum at least three calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays . . . ) before each meeting or hearing.” The memorandum for the business meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 12 should have been distributed no later than Friday, June 7. It was not. I am unaware of any “unusual circumstances” that would necessitate a business meeting without a timely memorandum. If you intend to proceed in considering the contempt resolution at the business meeting scheduled for June 12, you risk undermining the ability of the House of Representatives to enforce a finding of contempt.”
“The record before the Committee does not support contempt of Congress at this time. Both Attorney General Barr and Secretary Ross have cooperated-and continue to cooperate-with your investigation. In fact, the Committee has received over 30,000 pages of documents from the Administration. The Committee’s fact-finding is ongoing, and you have scheduled three transcribed interviews with witnesses in the upcoming weeks. If you were serious about getting to the facts on the Administration’s decision to reinstitute a citizenship question on the 2020 Census, you should attempt to obtain the information from other sources before rushing to contempt of Congress.”
Full text of the letter can be found here.
Caribbean Joe's Is Looking For Certified Lifeguards
Pete Buttigieg supporter assaults Conservative Reporter
I was attending a @PeteButtigieg rally in Iowa when two of his supporters violently attacked my camera crew and I for simply being conservative. I am calling on Mayor Pete to denounce the violence from his supporters so conservatives know they can feel safe at his rallies. pic.twitter.com/waRYnrutwC
— Kaitlin Bennett (@KaitMarieox) June 9, 2019
The reporter, in case you didn't recognize her, is Kaitlin Bennett. We posted a video of her about 3 weeks ago titled How My Graduation Photo Changed My Life
Wild video shows K-9 sniffing out suspect hiding in dishwasher, biting down on his head
Authorities in Greenville County said that about 2:40 p.m. on April 28, deputies went to a home on Columbia Avenue.
Capt. Tim Brown, of the Greenville County Sheriff's Office of Professional Standards, said deputies were attempting to take Kevin Leroy Scott White into custody.
Brown said White had eluded a K-9 deputy the day before when he was being pulled over for having an improper tag. He said authorities had also determined White was wanted out of Florida.
More/Video
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Nolte: CNN Pre-emptively Says Biden Speech ‘Eviscerates Trump’
Far-left CNN claimed Joe Biden “eviscerated” President Trump hours before the aging Democrat had even delivered the speech in question.
Based only on a “leaked” (wink-wink) copy of a speech Biden is scheduled to give in Iowa Tuesday, the ratings and ethically challenged CNN could hardly contain its venomous glee with a chyron that breathlessly read: “Breaking News: Biden to Eviscerate Trump In Iowa Speech Today.”
The fake news outlet’s disastrous morning show New Day, one of the lowest-rated shows in all of cable television, presented Biden’s speech as a turning point in a campaign where… Democrats have been attacking Trump 24/7 for months now.
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Based only on a “leaked” (wink-wink) copy of a speech Biden is scheduled to give in Iowa Tuesday, the ratings and ethically challenged CNN could hardly contain its venomous glee with a chyron that breathlessly read: “Breaking News: Biden to Eviscerate Trump In Iowa Speech Today.”
The fake news outlet’s disastrous morning show New Day, one of the lowest-rated shows in all of cable television, presented Biden’s speech as a turning point in a campaign where… Democrats have been attacking Trump 24/7 for months now.
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Troopers Arrest Salisbury, MD Man for Burglary, Assault and Related Charges-Seaford
The incident occurred on June 11, 2019 at approximately 9:04 p.m., when Troopers were dispatched to the 900 block of Little Brooke Lane, Seaford in reference to a domestic related incident. Upon arrival, Troopers met with a female victim who advised that earlier in the day she and her boyfriend, 40-year-old Jeffrey Davenport had engaged in a physical altercation in which Davenport had strangled her. This incident occurred in the presence of her three children ranging from ages 6 to 10. Davenport proceeded to leave the residence after this incident and later returned, driving into the victim’s fence and re-entering the residence without permission. While re-entering the residence, Davenport broke the front screen door and began to argue with the victim and the victim’s mother. Davenport approached the victim’s mother in an aggressive manner and also struck one of the children who was inside the residence at this time. Davenport left a second time and later returned for a third time when he re-entered the residence without permission again and engaged in a physical altercation with the victim’s ex-husband who was at the residence during this incident. The victims did not sustain injuries as a result of these incidents.
Davenport proceeded to leave the residence in his silver, Dodge Ram prior to police arrival. Troopers observed the vehicle nearby the residence and a traffic stop was initiated. Contact was made with the driver, Davenport when an odor of alcohol was detected and he failed to comply with the Trooper’s commands to exit the vehicle. Davenport was subsequently taken into custody.
Davenport was transported back to Troop 3 where a DUI investigation ensued. Davenport was charged with the following:
- Burglary Second Degree (2 counts)
- Strangulation
- Assault Third Degree
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child (3 counts)
- Resisting Arrest
- Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol
- Offensive Touching
- Menacing
- Offensive Touching
- Criminal Mischief
Davenport was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $32,900.00 cash only bond.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).
Shocking video shows Pose transgender actor Indya Moore fighting a Trump supporter
Indya Moore was filmed stomping on a Trump supporter’s sign before trying to run off with it just across the street from Trump Tower in New York City on Friday, sparking a scuffle.
Moore, who stars on the FX show Pose, was filmed stepping on a sign that read: ‘Re-elect Donald Trump, Keep America Great, 2020.’
In the video of the incident, Moore is heard saying that she ‘didn’t want [Trump supporters as] fans of his show.’
The owner of the sign, Dion Cini, was with a small group of Trump supporters who recognized Moore and spoke to him about the FX series.
Cini says he tried to prevent Moore from taking the sign away
More/Video
Moore, who stars on the FX show Pose, was filmed stepping on a sign that read: ‘Re-elect Donald Trump, Keep America Great, 2020.’
In the video of the incident, Moore is heard saying that she ‘didn’t want [Trump supporters as] fans of his show.’
The owner of the sign, Dion Cini, was with a small group of Trump supporters who recognized Moore and spoke to him about the FX series.
Cini says he tried to prevent Moore from taking the sign away
More/Video
Pirate’s Wharf Park master plan draft presentation scheduled for June 17
SALISBURY, Md. – A public presentation of the Pirate’s Wharf Park master plan draft is scheduled for Monday, June 17 at 6 p.m. at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Flanders Rooms. The plan will be presented by Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc., an architectural and engineering firm in Salisbury. The public is welcome to attend.
Gillibrand: Being Pro-Life Should Basically Be Unacceptable Like Racism, Anti-Semitism
Perhaps desperate to score some political points amongst the progressive base in hopes of boosting her ranking from dead-last in the presidential primary, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) told the Des Moines Register today "there's some issues that have such moral clarity that we have as a society decided that the other side is not acceptable" and hinted abortion now falls in that category.
As first reported by the Washington Free Beacon, Sen. Gillibrand told the Iowa newspaper, "Imagine saying that it's okay to appoint a judge who's racist or anti-Semitic or homophobic. Asking someone to appoint someone who takes away basic human rights of any group of people in America—I don't think that those are political issues anymore."
She then continued saying, "And we believe in this country in the separation of church and state, and I respect the rights of every American to hold their religious beliefs true to themselves, but our country and our Constitution has always demanded that we have a separation of church and state."
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As first reported by the Washington Free Beacon, Sen. Gillibrand told the Iowa newspaper, "Imagine saying that it's okay to appoint a judge who's racist or anti-Semitic or homophobic. Asking someone to appoint someone who takes away basic human rights of any group of people in America—I don't think that those are political issues anymore."
She then continued saying, "And we believe in this country in the separation of church and state, and I respect the rights of every American to hold their religious beliefs true to themselves, but our country and our Constitution has always demanded that we have a separation of church and state."
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Oh, So That's Why The 'Glaciers Will Be Gone In 2020' Sign Has Been Removed At A National Park
They’re wrong about everything. This applies to the wider liberal media, but it especially applies to the environmental Left that has been preaching doomsday since Earth Day was created. The appalling condescension from this crew, despite peddling straight trash for years is exceedingly entertaining. It’s great because you know what the ending is—these folks eating it…hard. We had global cooling hysteria in the 1970s. It never happened. Now, we’re in the throes of this so-called global warming chapter, where we need to enact this Green New Deal by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) because in 12 years—we’re all toast or something. Funny, we’ve heard all of these predictions before. And now, people are saying by 2050, if nothing is done, we’re cooked. So, which is it, experts? Well, while you cobble together another wrong analysis, let’s go to Glacier National Park in Montana, where the signs indicating that the ice masses would be gone by 2020 have been removed because the area has been pounded by snow for years. Jazz Shaw touched on this over at Hot Air, citing the post by Jeff Dunetz who delivered a sledgehammer to this narrative:
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Glacier National Park quietly removed a sign at its visitor center saying the glaciers will disappear by 2020 which were originally placed because former President Obama believed the predictions pushed by the left’s climate change hypothesis.
According to federal officials, several years in a row of high snowfall and cold temperatures totally obliterated a computer model that authorities relied on to claim that the glaciers would all be melted by 2020…
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She Just Won’t Shut Up: Hillary Clinton Accuses Trump of Obstruction of Justice During Alumnae Event at Wellesley College
Crooked Hillary Clinton spoke at an alumnae event at Wellesley College over the weekend where she accused President Trump of obstruction of justice and warned of a Fascist takeover.
“You come to two inescapable conclusions” if you read the Mueller report, Hillary said.
“The first is that Russia conducted a sweeping and systemic interference in our election. The second is obstruction of justice occurred…”Hillary, who destroyed BlackBerrys and BleachBit emails under subpoena, said to the crowd on Saturday.
We are about to enter the 3rd quarter of 2019 and Hillary is still talking about the Russia hoax that she concocted during the 2016 election.
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“You come to two inescapable conclusions” if you read the Mueller report, Hillary said.
“The first is that Russia conducted a sweeping and systemic interference in our election. The second is obstruction of justice occurred…”Hillary, who destroyed BlackBerrys and BleachBit emails under subpoena, said to the crowd on Saturday.
We are about to enter the 3rd quarter of 2019 and Hillary is still talking about the Russia hoax that she concocted during the 2016 election.
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‘Case for Reparations’ Author Praises Warren: ‘I Think She Means It’
Ta-Nehisi Coates, the author of “The Case for Reparations,” praised Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in the New Yorker on Monday as a 2020 Democrat who is not just giving “lip service on reparations,” revealing that Warren had asked him about five years ago to have a conversation about his reparations piece.
When asked if he would take some Democrats “more seriously than others when they talk about reparations,” Coates replied: “Yeah, I think Elizabeth Warren is probably serious.”
“I think she means it. I mean—I guess it will break a little news—after ‘The Case for Reparations’ came out, she just asked me to come and talk one on one with her about it,” Coates continued. “She had read it. She was deeply serious, and she had questions. And it wasn’t, like, Will you do X, Y, and Z for me? It wasn’t, like, I’m trying to demonstrate I’m serious. I have not heard from her since, either, by the way.”
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When asked if he would take some Democrats “more seriously than others when they talk about reparations,” Coates replied: “Yeah, I think Elizabeth Warren is probably serious.”
“I think she means it. I mean—I guess it will break a little news—after ‘The Case for Reparations’ came out, she just asked me to come and talk one on one with her about it,” Coates continued. “She had read it. She was deeply serious, and she had questions. And it wasn’t, like, Will you do X, Y, and Z for me? It wasn’t, like, I’m trying to demonstrate I’m serious. I have not heard from her since, either, by the way.”
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Facebook Turned Off Search Features Used To Catch War Criminals, Child Predators, And Other Bad Actors
When Alexa Koenig learned of Facebook’s abrupt decision to turn off a set of advanced search features last week, she thought of a Libyan military commander named Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf al-Werfalli.
In August 2017, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Werfalli for allegedly participating in or ordering the execution of 33 people in Benghazi, Libya. At the core of the evidence against him are seven videos, some of which were found on Facebook, that allegedly show Werfalli committing crimes. His case marked the first time the ICC issued a warrant based largely on material gathered from social media.
Now that kind of work is being put in jeopardy, according to Koenig, executive director of the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley. She said Facebook’s recent decision to turn off the features in its graph search product could be a “disaster” for human rights research.
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In August 2017, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Werfalli for allegedly participating in or ordering the execution of 33 people in Benghazi, Libya. At the core of the evidence against him are seven videos, some of which were found on Facebook, that allegedly show Werfalli committing crimes. His case marked the first time the ICC issued a warrant based largely on material gathered from social media.
Now that kind of work is being put in jeopardy, according to Koenig, executive director of the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley. She said Facebook’s recent decision to turn off the features in its graph search product could be a “disaster” for human rights research.
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DOJ statement on Vaughn trials
The Department of Justice on Wednesday released the following statement:
On the morning of February 2, 2017, a correctional officer was found dead – tragically and brutally murdered – in a prison building that had been set on fire, flooded, and under the control of inmates for 24 hours. Obtaining a measure of justice for Lt. Steven Floyd meant spending almost two years trying to piece together what happened in the building with no physical, video, or audio evidence, using only statements from more than a hundred inmates who were both suspects and witnesses. From the outset, it was always going to be one of the hardest cases for the Delaware State Police to investigate and for the Department of Justice to prove.
Despite these challenges, prosecutors and investigators did herculean work in the ensuing years to find those responsible for the riot and its consequences and to present a case they believed could meet their burden of proof in a court of law. They succeeded in securing convictions for Dwayne Staats for murder, riot, kidnapping, assault, and conspiracy, and Jarreau Ayers for riot, kidnapping, assault, and conspiracy.
The prosecutors on this trial team are some of DOJ’s best. Their devotion to this case and their adherence to the Court’s highest ethical standards are unwavering. Nevertheless, three juries have since shown that proving beyond a reasonable doubt who was responsible for Lt. Floyd’s death is no longer possible. Therefore, prosecutors have advised the Court that the State will not move forward with any further pending charges in connection with the Vaughn riot.
Above all else, Sandra Floyd, her family, the two correctional officers and the counselor who endured the ordeal, and the entire staff of the Department of Correction are in all of our hearts, as they have been throughout this tragedy.
Out of more than a hundred inmates in Building C, a handful agreed to testify to what they saw and knew about what happened on February 1. Prosecutors offered no favorable treatment in exchange for that testimony, and the inmate witnesses not only risked their own safety but lost out on opportunities for counseling or work programs because they had to be housed apart from other inmates. The trial team appreciates their willingness to try to help bring justice in these cases, and rejects any implication that any witness was pressured to testify. As stated, and unfortunately, juries did not conclude that the State met its very high burden of proof to attain convictions on most of the charges.
Gun seller United Sporting goes bust, partly blaming Trump's election
United Sporting Companies, an 85-year-old distributor of firearms and outdoor equipment, has filed for bankruptcy, saying it's awash in debt and inventory after wrongly anticipating that sales would increase after the 2016 presidential election. But Republican Donald Trump's victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton proved to be part of its undoing, United CEO Bradley Johnson explained in filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday.
Lower-than-expected sales followed in 2017 and 2018, leading to an industrywide glut that forced United and rivals to heavily discount their merchandise, he added in the court document. Indeed, the gun industry at large struggled with slowing sales after Mr. Trump's election as worries about gun control ebbed among firearm enthusiasts.
American Outdoor Brands, formerly known as Smith & Wesson, saw its profits slide 90 percent in Mr. Trump's first year in office. And Remington Outdoor, the nation's oldest gunmaker, emerged from bankruptcy last year.
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Lower-than-expected sales followed in 2017 and 2018, leading to an industrywide glut that forced United and rivals to heavily discount their merchandise, he added in the court document. Indeed, the gun industry at large struggled with slowing sales after Mr. Trump's election as worries about gun control ebbed among firearm enthusiasts.
American Outdoor Brands, formerly known as Smith & Wesson, saw its profits slide 90 percent in Mr. Trump's first year in office. And Remington Outdoor, the nation's oldest gunmaker, emerged from bankruptcy last year.
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Levin: ‘When we lose our history, we’re going to lose our country’
Tuesday on the radio, LevinTV host Mark Levin gave the history of the Battle of Midway, fought during World War II almost entirely with aircraft, June 3-6, 1942. Midway, together with the Battle of Guadalcanal, ended the threat of Japanese invasion in the Pacific.
“I was never taught about these various wars, except at a surface level, when I was in public school, and that’s, you know, several decades ago,” Levin said. “And I suspect it’s even less significant today in the classroom. And when we lose our history, we’re going to lose our country.”
“This is American history: Battle after battle, hero after hero, defending this country, defending its people. And then I listen to the talk today, about people who’ve never served — some who have served, but most who haven’t — trashing our country from universities and colleges. Trashing our country in the pages of the Democrat party-press. Oh, they say they support the military, but they have a funny way of showing it. Kaepernick — and others — protesting. Protesting what? They haven’t sacrificed a damn thing.”
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“I was never taught about these various wars, except at a surface level, when I was in public school, and that’s, you know, several decades ago,” Levin said. “And I suspect it’s even less significant today in the classroom. And when we lose our history, we’re going to lose our country.”
“This is American history: Battle after battle, hero after hero, defending this country, defending its people. And then I listen to the talk today, about people who’ve never served — some who have served, but most who haven’t — trashing our country from universities and colleges. Trashing our country in the pages of the Democrat party-press. Oh, they say they support the military, but they have a funny way of showing it. Kaepernick — and others — protesting. Protesting what? They haven’t sacrificed a damn thing.”
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State Releases 2019 First Quarter Fatal Overdose Data
Fentanyl, Heroin, and Prescription Opioid-Related Deaths
Show Decline
During this three-month period, which includes January through March 2019, there were 577 total unintentional intoxication deaths, a 15 percent decrease as compared to the same period in 2018. Of the total, 515 (89 percent) were opioid-related deaths, primarily attributable to fentanyl. Opioid-related deaths declined by 14.3 percent.
Heroin-related deaths continued to decline, decreasing 23 percent in the first quarter of 2019 compared with the same period in 2018. Prescription opioid-related deaths declined by 16 percent in the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.
“We’ve seen a decrease in deaths during this first quarter and continue to work diligently to combat this epidemic,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Robert R. Neall. “Treatment and prevention options are available 24/7 for those who want it. They can dial 211 and press 1 to find assistance. Our goal is to get support to everyone who needs help as soon as possible."
Fentanyl continues to be the deadliest substance, with 474 fentanyl-related deaths occurring in the first quarter. This represents an 8 percent decrease over the same time period last year. Fentanyl was involved in 92 percent of opioid-related deaths during this period.
Cocaine-related deaths, the third most prevalent drug involved with overdose deaths, declined as well. Comparing the periods of January through March 2018 and 2019, the number of cocaine-related deaths decreased 21 percent. The increase in cocaine-related deaths over the last several years can be attributed to cocaine combined with opioids, which were found in 89 percent of cocaine-related deaths so far in 2019.
The first quarter Fatal Overdose Data Report is attached here.
“We also are encouraged by the fact that 16 of Maryland’s 24 local jurisdictions experienced declines in the number of opioid-related fatalities during the first quarter of 2019. We have never witnessed so many counties reporting declines in the number of opioid-related fatalities,” said Steve Schuh, executive director, OOCC. “But the heroin and opioid crisis in Maryland is by no means over. More than 500 of our friends, family members, and neighbors lost their lives to opioid use disorder during the first quarter of 2019. That’s why we continue to work every day with our federal, state, local, and community partners to save the lives of our fellow Marylanders.”
The OOCC tracks more than 170 state-level performance metrics pertaining to opioid-related programs being implemented by various state agencies and additional state government partners, as well as more than 30 local-level programs and initiatives implemented by various local partners through the OITs. For example, the number of jurisdictions reporting implementing locally-led programs to educate prescribers about best practices in prescribing opioids or pain medications has increased by 171 percent, from seven prior to March 2017 to 19 in the first quarter of 2019.
The OOCC’s Quarterly Report can be found here.
Before It’s Too Late is the state’s effort to bring awareness to this epidemic—and to mobilize resources for effective prevention, treatment and recovery. Marylanders struggling with a substance use disorder can find help at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org, by calling 211 and pressing 1, or by texting their zip code to 898-211.
Congressman Andy Harris Announces Nearly $1 Million Grant Awarded To Maryland Department of Natural Resources
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded the Maryland Department of Natural Resources a grant of nearly $1 million. The Clean Vessel Act grant will allow the Department to work with marina owners to replace or renovate 25 existing pump-outs, install five new pump-outs and purchase one new pump-out boat. They will assist with operations and maintenance on 100 fixed pump-outs and three pump-out boats and continue their outreach and education efforts. I am proud to support clean Chesapeake waterways that sustain the sport and commercial fishing industries important to the Eastern Shore economy and way of life.”
The Department of Interior describes the Clean Vessel Act as a program that “provides matching grants to state agencies for the construction and renovation of pump-out and dump facilities for recreational boats; as well as education programs to inform boaters and the public about the benefits of keeping public waters clean. Clean waterways benefit the health of fish and other aquatic life, which in turn benefits boaters themselves, as well as anglers and other recreationists; so local communities can continue to thrive from the recreation economy.”
Kenyan Media: China Forced Kenya into $9 Billion ‘Debt Trap’ with Coal Plant Deal
Kenya’s Daily Nation on Tuesday accused China of forcing the Kenyan government into a “lopsided multi-billion-shilling deal for the operation of the Standard Gauge Railway” and using similar strong-arm tactics to push Kenya into a “debt trap” coal deal worth $9 billion in U.S. dollars.
The Daily Nation described the coal deal as a “bad project” and “another financial goof”.
The article cited a report from the U.S.-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), which called the Lamu coal power plant a “costly mistake” that could cost Kenyan taxpayers billions of dollars even if it never generates any electric power.
The IEEFA charged the coal-fired plant will divert resources from better alternatives for energy generation, locking Kenyans into buying power that costs over ten times what the project’s advocates initially claimed. The project commits Kenya into paying for a large amount of electrical capacity even if the plant fails to produce that much energy or Kenyan end users fail to purchase it voluntarily.
The staggering cost and dubious profitability of the Standard Gauge Railway mentioned by the Daily Express make it the model of China’s “debt trap” imperialism in the eyes of many critics.
The Kenyan government maintains it is highly satisfied with its participation in Beijing’s “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative, but many Kenyan citizens are growing nervous about China’s increasing control of their economy.
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The Daily Nation described the coal deal as a “bad project” and “another financial goof”.
The article cited a report from the U.S.-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), which called the Lamu coal power plant a “costly mistake” that could cost Kenyan taxpayers billions of dollars even if it never generates any electric power.
The IEEFA charged the coal-fired plant will divert resources from better alternatives for energy generation, locking Kenyans into buying power that costs over ten times what the project’s advocates initially claimed. The project commits Kenya into paying for a large amount of electrical capacity even if the plant fails to produce that much energy or Kenyan end users fail to purchase it voluntarily.
The staggering cost and dubious profitability of the Standard Gauge Railway mentioned by the Daily Express make it the model of China’s “debt trap” imperialism in the eyes of many critics.
The Kenyan government maintains it is highly satisfied with its participation in Beijing’s “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative, but many Kenyan citizens are growing nervous about China’s increasing control of their economy.
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Committee on Appropriations Passes H-2B Amendment Cosponsored by Rep. Andy Harris
WASHINGTON, DC: On Tuesday, June 11th, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) cosponsored an amendment, which preserves the president’s ability to release more H-2B visas next year, passed by the Committee on Appropriations. The H-2B visa program is a crucial resource for the seafood industry, the tourism industry, and other seasonal employers across the First District and supports thousands of related jobs held by American citizens.
Rep. Harris made the following statement:
“These past few months I have worked hard to increase the cap for guest workers, especially helping convince the Department of Homeland Security to issue and add the 30,000 visas for the summer season. The committee action today is a good start to helping provide an adequate number of temporary workers for the next year – but more needs to be done as the legislative process unfolds to be sure we have an adequate number for next year’s need.”
WANTED PERSON.
School Gives Students PE Credits for Helping Elderly and People With Disabilities Do Yard Work
As part of the school’s curriculum, students can choose from various activities during the last two weeks of school that will count towards their physical education credits. Volunteering to do yard work for people in the community is one of the options.
A teacher at the school, Tim Hitzler, says he and the students will be helping people with an array of outdoor chores.
“The students and I and other students come out and help them. Could be raking leaves, pulling weeds, cutting grass, cleaning gutters, just depends on what they need.”
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Police: Teens beat up elderly woman after trip to Whataburger
SAN ANTONIO (WOAI/KABB)- An elderly woman tried to help out some teens in need, and was robbed and assaulted for her kindness, according to an affidavit of arrest.
On March 10 the woman spotted two teens in her neighborhood that appeared to have a flat tire. She offered the two a ride to a nearby Whataburger in San Antonio, Texas. After a delicious Whataburger meal, the three returned to the suspect’s vehicle.
The woman then realized her purse and wallet were missing, so she asked the two if she could look in the backseat of their disabled vehicle. That’s when things got bad.
While she was looking through the suspect’s car, one of the two teens grabbed from behind and started choking her. The two teens grabbed her keys and took off with her car.
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On March 10 the woman spotted two teens in her neighborhood that appeared to have a flat tire. She offered the two a ride to a nearby Whataburger in San Antonio, Texas. After a delicious Whataburger meal, the three returned to the suspect’s vehicle.
The woman then realized her purse and wallet were missing, so she asked the two if she could look in the backseat of their disabled vehicle. That’s when things got bad.
While she was looking through the suspect’s car, one of the two teens grabbed from behind and started choking her. The two teens grabbed her keys and took off with her car.
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The future will be recorded, on your smart speaker
Amazon’s patent application for an always-on feature for Alexa, its popular voice-activated personal assistant, has raised a lot of concern. “If you’re already freaked out by the privacy implications of smart speakers like Amazon’s Echo,” says Gizmodo, “we have some bad news.” A headline in ScienceAlert is even more direct: “Newly Released Amazon Patent Shows Just How Much Creepier Alexa Can Get.”
You get the idea.
But the anxiety is much ado about nothing. An Alexa that’s always listening will likely prove more useful than an Alexa that isn’t; and, in any case, always-on devices are certainly our future.
As of January 2019, Amazon had sold more than 100 million devices that include Alexa. That number is certainly dwarfed by the billions of devices that include Siri and Google Assistant. But the difference is, those features come bundled with your smartphone, which has many other uses. When you purchase an Alexa device, you are choosing to invite Amazon into your home to listen to you.
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You get the idea.
But the anxiety is much ado about nothing. An Alexa that’s always listening will likely prove more useful than an Alexa that isn’t; and, in any case, always-on devices are certainly our future.
As of January 2019, Amazon had sold more than 100 million devices that include Alexa. That number is certainly dwarfed by the billions of devices that include Siri and Google Assistant. But the difference is, those features come bundled with your smartphone, which has many other uses. When you purchase an Alexa device, you are choosing to invite Amazon into your home to listen to you.
More here
DHS chief reveals startling stat on asylum seekers who skip hearings, disappear
The acting Homeland Security secretary gave lawmakers a glimpse Tuesday into just how many asylum seekers skip their hearings after being released into the United States -- telling a Senate panel that a recent program found 90 percent miss their court dates.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan how many asylum seekers coming across the southern border show up for their hearings.
“It depends on demographic, the court, but we see too many cases where people are not showing up,” he said, telling Graham that DHS recently conducted a pilot program with family units.
“Out of those 7,000 cases, 90 received final orders of removal in absentia, 90 percent,” he said.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dhs-secretary-reveals-startling-stat-on-asylum-seekers-who-skip-hearings-disappear
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan how many asylum seekers coming across the southern border show up for their hearings.
“It depends on demographic, the court, but we see too many cases where people are not showing up,” he said, telling Graham that DHS recently conducted a pilot program with family units.
“Out of those 7,000 cases, 90 received final orders of removal in absentia, 90 percent,” he said.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dhs-secretary-reveals-startling-stat-on-asylum-seekers-who-skip-hearings-disappear
Democrats Block Emergency Funding for Border Crisis
Democrat Senator Pat Leahy bluntly told GOP Senators that Democrats are blocking $4.5 billion needed to manage the Central American migration emergency until Republicans submit to their pro-migration demands.
“We’re willing to put [up] the money,” the Vermont Senator said at the June 11 hearing at the Senate’s judiciary committee. But, he added:
"Now whether a supplemental gets done is up to the administration. If they continue to block bipartisan legislation, nothing happens. I hope the Republicans will finally realize we have to do this, Republicans and Democrats, together … We want long term solutions."
The May 1 funding request sought $3.3 billion to process and temporarily house many thousands of so-called “Unaccompanied Alien Children,” plus $2.2 billion for border agencies to register, shelter, and transport the huge flow of migrants as they walk through the catch-and-release loopholes at the border.
“The border is at its breaking point — we need funds,” said Kevin McAleenan, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
GOP Senators are expected to push for Senate passage of the legislation mid-June. But the package still needs approval from at least seven Democrat Senators, plus the House’s Democrat leadership.
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“We’re willing to put [up] the money,” the Vermont Senator said at the June 11 hearing at the Senate’s judiciary committee. But, he added:
"Now whether a supplemental gets done is up to the administration. If they continue to block bipartisan legislation, nothing happens. I hope the Republicans will finally realize we have to do this, Republicans and Democrats, together … We want long term solutions."
The May 1 funding request sought $3.3 billion to process and temporarily house many thousands of so-called “Unaccompanied Alien Children,” plus $2.2 billion for border agencies to register, shelter, and transport the huge flow of migrants as they walk through the catch-and-release loopholes at the border.
“The border is at its breaking point — we need funds,” said Kevin McAleenan, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
GOP Senators are expected to push for Senate passage of the legislation mid-June. But the package still needs approval from at least seven Democrat Senators, plus the House’s Democrat leadership.
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A viewer Writes........Jake Day
Rumor has it, "Jake Day is going to run in the next governor's race as Lieutenant Governor. If the people re-elect Day as mayor, he will only hold office for 2 years as mayor. I guess his plans will be awash in his wake when he splits for a higher office. He's a true politician. He cares more about his party, and of course himself, than the people he represents. He's just another hack politician. I am voting for KING."
Check out his site. www.wkformayor.com
Check out his site. www.wkformayor.com
REPORT: BAYER DROPS ‘THE INGRAHAM ANGLE’ AND ‘TUCKER CARLSON TONIGHT’
Corporate giant Bayer has made the decision to stop advertising on two prime time Fox News programs, according to an anonymous source familiar with the decision cited by reporter Judd Legum.
The decision comes as left-wing activists continually targeted the show’s advertisers over statements they disagreed with.
Of late, “The Ingraham Angle” host, Laura Ingraham, generated controversy by including anti-Semite Paul Nehlen in a list of several well-known figures banned or censored by social media platforms including Milo Yiannopous, Laura Loomer, Alex Jones, Candace Owens, Michelle Malkin, Dan Scavino and James Woods.
The Fox News host was portrayed as having “defended” Nehlen, even though the broader topic was free speech.
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The decision comes as left-wing activists continually targeted the show’s advertisers over statements they disagreed with.
Of late, “The Ingraham Angle” host, Laura Ingraham, generated controversy by including anti-Semite Paul Nehlen in a list of several well-known figures banned or censored by social media platforms including Milo Yiannopous, Laura Loomer, Alex Jones, Candace Owens, Michelle Malkin, Dan Scavino and James Woods.
The Fox News host was portrayed as having “defended” Nehlen, even though the broader topic was free speech.
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John Delaney Gets His 15 Minutes of Fame with “Medicare for All” Squabble
Standing out in the Democratic Presidential field, which at last count has hit the number 23, takes quite a bit of doing. One way is in succeeding in getting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, (Soc.-NY) to tweet about your candidacy.
Former Maryland Congressman John Delaney accomplished this feat as a result of telling a convention of California Democrats: “Medicare for all may sound good but it’s actually not good policy nor is it good politics. We shouldn’t kick 150 million Americans off of their health care.”
The California Democrats responded to Delaney’s heresy with a full sixty seconds of booing. (A minute may well be nearly as much face time as any individual candidate can expect in the Democratic Party’s upcoming debates.)
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Former Maryland Congressman John Delaney accomplished this feat as a result of telling a convention of California Democrats: “Medicare for all may sound good but it’s actually not good policy nor is it good politics. We shouldn’t kick 150 million Americans off of their health care.”
The California Democrats responded to Delaney’s heresy with a full sixty seconds of booing. (A minute may well be nearly as much face time as any individual candidate can expect in the Democratic Party’s upcoming debates.)
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US looking for way to deport unaccompanied migrant children despite law against it: McAleenan
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said Sunday that the Trump administration is looking for a way to immediately "repatriate" all children who have arrived without a parent or guardian at the U.S.-Mexico border.
"We want to be able to repatriate unaccompanied children, just like we do Mexico and Canada, even if they're from Central America or further away," McAleenan told "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace.
Approximately 56,000 unaccompanied children arrived at the southern border between October and May. In 2014, when a record-high number of children arrived at the border, Customs and Border Protection took custody of around 68,000.
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"We want to be able to repatriate unaccompanied children, just like we do Mexico and Canada, even if they're from Central America or further away," McAleenan told "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace.
Approximately 56,000 unaccompanied children arrived at the southern border between October and May. In 2014, when a record-high number of children arrived at the border, Customs and Border Protection took custody of around 68,000.
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JUSSIE SMOLLETT REPORTEDLY BOUGHT ECTASY, COCAINE AND WEED THROUGH VENMO
A police examination of Jussie Smollett’s text messages revealed that on “various occasions” over the past year, the actor/hoaxster requested that an associate procure him cocaine, Ecstasy, and marijuana, the payment for which was transmitted via the Venmo app.
Smollett’s alleged narcotics purchases are referred to in a police report that was among hundreds of pages of documents released today by the Chicago Police Department. The material details the department’s investigation of Smollett’s claim that he was the victim of a hate crime attack in late-January.
Pictured above, Smollett was eventually charged with fabricating the assault tale. Investigators alleged that Smollet paid $3500 to two brothers--Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo--to help stage the attack. In late-March, the Cook County prosecutor dropped criminal charges against the 36-year-old performer, a decision that was blasted by Chicago’s mayor and police commanders.
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Smollett’s alleged narcotics purchases are referred to in a police report that was among hundreds of pages of documents released today by the Chicago Police Department. The material details the department’s investigation of Smollett’s claim that he was the victim of a hate crime attack in late-January.
Pictured above, Smollett was eventually charged with fabricating the assault tale. Investigators alleged that Smollet paid $3500 to two brothers--Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo--to help stage the attack. In late-March, the Cook County prosecutor dropped criminal charges against the 36-year-old performer, a decision that was blasted by Chicago’s mayor and police commanders.
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RASHIDA TLAIB GAVE EVERY FRESHMAN CONGRESSMAN AN ANTI-TRUMP WELCOME GIFT
“It was such a great gift,” Tlaib told interviewer John Nichols on The Nation’s “Next Left” podcast. The episode was titled “There’s a Real Human Impact of Doing Nothing.”
“It was orientation week and all of a sudden I was getting [gifts],” she explained. “I think Speaker [of the House Nancy] Pelosi sent chocolates and every person that was in some sort of [inaudible] role was sending stuff to our hotel so we would come in and there was stuff right already in our hotel room.”
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John Sarbanes: Legislation would ease student loan debt for America's public servants
The statistics are staggering. More than 44 million Americans with a total student debt of $1.5 trillion.
It’s a crushing burden for many, particularly our nation’s public servants – teachers, public defenders, social workers, service members, health care workers and others who keep our communities strong. They carry that debt while receiving far less compensation than their counterparts in the private sector.
That’s why I authored and helped pass into law the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF), which helps qualified participants earn student loan debt relief after working full-time for 10 years at certain nonprofit organizations or at local, state or federal government agencies.
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It’s a crushing burden for many, particularly our nation’s public servants – teachers, public defenders, social workers, service members, health care workers and others who keep our communities strong. They carry that debt while receiving far less compensation than their counterparts in the private sector.
That’s why I authored and helped pass into law the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF), which helps qualified participants earn student loan debt relief after working full-time for 10 years at certain nonprofit organizations or at local, state or federal government agencies.
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Hearing Erupts When John Dean Says He Can't Give Rep. Jim Jordan a 'Full Answer'
John Dean, former White House counsel to Richard Nixon, was the star witness at Monday's House Judiciary Committee hearing about Robert Mueller's Russia probe. But to many people, including Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Dean's appearance was a farce. It's obvious Democrats just want to hear him compare the Russia investigation and President Trump's behavior to Watergate and President Nixon.
Democrats, presumably, also like Dean because he's not a fan of the president. Jordan pointed out that fact by reading some of the unflattering things he's had to say about him.
“We are witnessing Trump’s massive cover-up of his criminal behavior," Dean reportedly wrote on May 22. "As POTUS he is incapable of accomplishing anything.”
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Democrats, presumably, also like Dean because he's not a fan of the president. Jordan pointed out that fact by reading some of the unflattering things he's had to say about him.
“We are witnessing Trump’s massive cover-up of his criminal behavior," Dean reportedly wrote on May 22. "As POTUS he is incapable of accomplishing anything.”
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Irish pub debunks reports saying Trump brothers walked out on tab
The owners of the Igoe Inn Bar & Restaurant in Ireland issued a statement Saturday debunking media reports that claimed President Trump’s two sons, Eric and Don Jr., walked out on their bar tab.
The Trumps were reportedly well-received among the locals in Doonbeg, where the president bought Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in 2014. Last week, the Trump brothers embarked on a pub crawl celebrating their father’s first visit to the Irish village as president.
During their stop at the Igoe Inn, the Trump brothers offered a free round for the house. The Daily Beast initially reported that they skipped out on the bar tab completely, but after further reporting, found that the Trump golf course had given the bar a purchase order number and the bill had been arranged to be paid for later.
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NBC ANNOUNCES PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE MODERATORS
NBC announced the five moderators for the first two Democratic presidential town halls scheduled two weeks from Wednesday and Thursday.
Co-anchor of “TODAY” Savannah Guthrie, NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt, moderator of “Meet the Press” and NBC News political director Chuck Todd, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow and “Noticias Telemundo” anchor José Diaz-Balart will moderate the debates in Miami, Florida, on June 26 and 27, NBC News announced Tuesday.
Each two-hour debate with a maximum of ten candidates per night will feature Holt as the only moderator, who will be present from start to finish. Guthrie and Diaz-Balart will be alongside Holt for the first hour and then be replaced by Todd and Maddow, according to NBC News.
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Co-anchor of “TODAY” Savannah Guthrie, NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt, moderator of “Meet the Press” and NBC News political director Chuck Todd, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow and “Noticias Telemundo” anchor José Diaz-Balart will moderate the debates in Miami, Florida, on June 26 and 27, NBC News announced Tuesday.
Each two-hour debate with a maximum of ten candidates per night will feature Holt as the only moderator, who will be present from start to finish. Guthrie and Diaz-Balart will be alongside Holt for the first hour and then be replaced by Todd and Maddow, according to NBC News.
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Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Dershowitz: 'Why Did Mueller Team Distort Trump Attorney's Voicemail?':
In an op-ed for The Hill published Friday, Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz takes a closer look at the special counsel's problematic selective editing of a voicemail message from President Trump’s former attorney John Dowd which, as Dershowitz puts it, has "added fuel to the arguments against the appointment of special counsels." Robert Mueller's team's decision to "distort" the message, the esteemed legal analyst argues, is more evidence that it's time to "abolish" the special counsel.
The Mueller report says that after Gen. Michael Flynn withdrew from the joint defense agreement with President Trump, Dowd left a voicemail message for Flynn's attorney, Robert Kelner, asking for a "heads up" if "there's information that implicates the president."
"The report characterized the voicemail message as an attempt by the president’s counsel to obstruct Flynn’s cooperation with the Mueller probe, and that’s also how much of the press reported on it," Dershowitz notes.
Here's the passage that includes the selectively edited transcript of the voicemail provided in the Mueller report, as highlighted by Dershowitz:
The Mueller report says that after Gen. Michael Flynn withdrew from the joint defense agreement with President Trump, Dowd left a voicemail message for Flynn's attorney, Robert Kelner, asking for a "heads up" if "there's information that implicates the president."
"The report characterized the voicemail message as an attempt by the president’s counsel to obstruct Flynn’s cooperation with the Mueller probe, and that’s also how much of the press reported on it," Dershowitz notes.
Here's the passage that includes the selectively edited transcript of the voicemail provided in the Mueller report, as highlighted by Dershowitz:
6 Things to Know About the Hyde Amendment
Former Vice President Joe Biden came out Thursday against the Hyde Amendment, after previously supporting it.
“If I believe health care is a right, as I do, I can no longer support an amendment that makes that right dependent on someone’s ZIP code,” Biden said at a gala hosted by the Democratic National Committee in Atlanta.
For decades, Congress has kept taxpayer funds from paying for abortions due to the leadership of an Illinois congressman.
Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., was behind the amendment, first passed in 1976, that prohibits use of federal funds for most elective abortions.
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“If I believe health care is a right, as I do, I can no longer support an amendment that makes that right dependent on someone’s ZIP code,” Biden said at a gala hosted by the Democratic National Committee in Atlanta.
For decades, Congress has kept taxpayer funds from paying for abortions due to the leadership of an Illinois congressman.
Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., was behind the amendment, first passed in 1976, that prohibits use of federal funds for most elective abortions.
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Department of Transportation sued for documents related to Elaine Chao
A nonpartisan watchdog group sued the Department of Transportation on Monday for documents related to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
Restore Public Trust submitted two FOIA requests seeking information related to Chao earlier this year. The DOT acknowledged receiving the requests in April, but it has yet to hand over any documents.
The requests were in response to a New York Times report that disclosed ties between Chao’s family company and her official actions as secretary of transportation.
Chao’s family owns the Foremost Group, an American shipping company headquartered in China. While she holds no formal stake in the company, her high status as a U.S. official and her marriage to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest.
Chao has been accused of attempting to arrange government-funded transportation for relatives, using her status to promote the company, and allowing family members into high-profile meetings that could affect their business interests.
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Restore Public Trust submitted two FOIA requests seeking information related to Chao earlier this year. The DOT acknowledged receiving the requests in April, but it has yet to hand over any documents.
The requests were in response to a New York Times report that disclosed ties between Chao’s family company and her official actions as secretary of transportation.
Chao’s family owns the Foremost Group, an American shipping company headquartered in China. While she holds no formal stake in the company, her high status as a U.S. official and her marriage to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest.
Chao has been accused of attempting to arrange government-funded transportation for relatives, using her status to promote the company, and allowing family members into high-profile meetings that could affect their business interests.
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‘Operation Broken Heart’ Yields 58 Arrests In Maryland
The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) was one of 61 task forces included in “Operation Broken Heart,” a two-month initiative. Members from the Maryland ICAC worked tirelessly throughout April and May, initiating 320 investigations. Investigators executed 110 search warrants with 58 arrests. There were also public outreach sessions, which reached nearly 1,300 people.
The coordinated effort by law enforcement represents more than 4,500 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies with the purpose of arresting child predators, along with internet safety education and outreach. During the course of the operation, the task forces delivered more than 2,150 presentations on Internet safety to over 201,000 youth and adults nationally.
The Maryland ICAC Task Force is comprised of police agencies statewide. They concentrated on those offenders who possess, manufacture, and distribute child pornography and who engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes. They also targeted crimes including child prostitution and possible human trafficking.
The Task Force’s primary mission continues to be to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. This goal is achieved by cooperation between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors as they combine resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force also provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education.
The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit coordinates the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. This investigation was funded in part by grant funding provided by the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) as a part of the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN), and a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. GOCCP provides grant funding and strategic support to MCIN partners to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal organizations through inter-agency collaboration and data sharing to make Maryland safer.
The Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention funded this project under subaward number, ICAC-2019-0017.
Pictures of some of those arrested can be found HERE at the bottom of the page.
ICE arrests 140 criminal aliens and immigration violators in 5-day enforcement surge in 6 Midwestern states
CHICAGO — Federal officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 140 criminal aliens and immigration violators in six Midwest states during a five-day enforcement action, which ended Thursday.
During this enforcement surge, ICE officers made arrests in the following states: Illinois (45), Indiana (13), Kansas (16), Kentucky (43), Missouri (12) and Wisconsin (11). Five women and 135 men were arrested.
Aliens arrested during this operation are from the following 14 countries: Benin (1), Cuba (1), Ecuador (3), El Salvador (3), Guatemala (26), Honduras (7), Jordan (1), Mexico (92), Micronesia (1), Moldova (1), Nicaragua (1), Poland (1), Saudi Arabia (1) and South Korea (1).
Nearly a third of the aliens arrested (42) by ICE deportation officers during this enforcement surge had prior criminal histories that included convictions for the following crimes: assault, battery, domestic violence, cruelty, driving under the influence, drug possession, drug trafficking, fraud, identity theft, larceny, illegal re-entry after deportation, resisting officers, obstruction of justice, hit and run, and illegally possessing weapons.
Fifty-three of those arrested were immigration fugitives; 20 others illegally re-entered the United States after having been previously deported, which is a felony.
‘I’ll shoot that mother f*****’ | Court docs show Capital Pride BB gun suspect claimed protesters hit his wife, maced him
WASHINGTON -- Newly released court documents show the man accused of pulling out a BB gun at the Capital Pride parade this past weekend claimed his wife was attacked by two people supposedly protesting the parade.
It happened in Dupont Circle on June 8.
According to court documents, Aftabjit Singh, 38, told police his wife bumped into one of the two people supposedly protesting the parade and they started to attack her.
“One of the individuals then sprayed the defendant's wife in the face with mace and the defendant’s wife jumped into the fountain in the Dupont Circle,” court documents said. “The defendant intervened, which is when he was struck and maced.”
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It happened in Dupont Circle on June 8.
According to court documents, Aftabjit Singh, 38, told police his wife bumped into one of the two people supposedly protesting the parade and they started to attack her.
“One of the individuals then sprayed the defendant's wife in the face with mace and the defendant’s wife jumped into the fountain in the Dupont Circle,” court documents said. “The defendant intervened, which is when he was struck and maced.”
More
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