According to a recent report, many popular health websites such as WebMD are sharing private medical data with the Masters of the Universe.
A recent investigation by the Financial Times has revealed that popular health websites are sharing users’ private and personal medical data with big tech firms such as Google, Amazon, and Facebook as well as smaller data brokers and advertising firms such as Scorecard and OpenX.
The Financial Times analyzed over 100 health and medical websites including WebMD, Healthline, health insurance group Bupa, and parenting site Babycentre. The FT found that 79 percent of these sites used tracking cookies on visitors that could be utilized by third-party firms across the internet. This was done without users’ permissions making it illegal under E.U. GDPR guidelines.
The most common place for the data to be sent was found to be Google’s advertising arm DoubleClick which showed up on 78 percent of the sites that were tested by the Financial Times.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, November 16, 2019
WILLIAMS: Young People Ignorant Of History
A recent survey conducted by the Victims of Communism and polled by YouGov, a research and data firm, found that 70% of millennials are likely to vote socialist and that one in three millennials saw communism as “favorable.”
Let examine this tragic vision in light of the Fraser Institute’s recently released annual study “Economic Freedom of the World,” prepared by Professors James Gwartney, Florida State University; Robert A. Lawson and Ryan Murphy of Southern Methodist University; and Joshua Hall, West Virginia University, in cooperation with the Economic Freedom Network.
Hong Kong and Singapore maintained their lead as the world’s most economically free countries — although China’s heavy hand threatens Hong Kong’s top ranking. Rounding out the top 10 are New Zealand, Switzerland, the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Mauritius. By the way, after having fallen to 16th in 2016, the U.S. has staged a comeback to being in the top five economically free countries in the world.
What statistics go into the Fraser Institute’s calculation of economic freedom? The report measures the ability of individuals to make their own economic decisions by analyzing the policies and institutions of 162 countries and territories. These include regulation, freedom to trade internationally, size of government, sound legal system, private property rights and government spending and taxation.
Fraser Institute scholar Fred McMahon says, “Where people are free to pursue their own opportunities and make their own choices, they lead more prosperous, happier and healthier lives.”
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Let examine this tragic vision in light of the Fraser Institute’s recently released annual study “Economic Freedom of the World,” prepared by Professors James Gwartney, Florida State University; Robert A. Lawson and Ryan Murphy of Southern Methodist University; and Joshua Hall, West Virginia University, in cooperation with the Economic Freedom Network.
Hong Kong and Singapore maintained their lead as the world’s most economically free countries — although China’s heavy hand threatens Hong Kong’s top ranking. Rounding out the top 10 are New Zealand, Switzerland, the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Mauritius. By the way, after having fallen to 16th in 2016, the U.S. has staged a comeback to being in the top five economically free countries in the world.
What statistics go into the Fraser Institute’s calculation of economic freedom? The report measures the ability of individuals to make their own economic decisions by analyzing the policies and institutions of 162 countries and territories. These include regulation, freedom to trade internationally, size of government, sound legal system, private property rights and government spending and taxation.
Fraser Institute scholar Fred McMahon says, “Where people are free to pursue their own opportunities and make their own choices, they lead more prosperous, happier and healthier lives.”
More
SHOCKING VIDEO: Conservative Students Harassed And Intimidated By Leftist Student Mob
On Thursday, conservative students affiliated with the College Republicans and Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at Binghamton University in New York were harassed and intimidated by a massive mob of activists.
The two groups were “tabling” side-by-side in a public space on campus, according to John Restuccia, president of the College Republicans.
While the College Republicans were handing out flyers for an upcoming speech by famed economist Dr. Arthur Laffer sponsored by the Young America’s Foundation (YAF), the individuals at the TPUSA table were handing out buttons and posters pertaining to conservative political ideology.
Restuccia left to attend a class, but was later called back to the site due to the burgeoning protest. He dialed the State University Police and headed over.
According to Restuccia, as well as Jon Lizak, vice president of Binghamton’s TPUSA chapter, the number of activists grew over the course of the protest until there were roughly 200 people haranguing the conservative students and disrupting their property.
Lacey Kestecher, chapter president of TPUSA at Binghamton, recorded approximately an hour and a half of footage from the frightening encounter, seven minutes of which can be seen below.
More/video here
The two groups were “tabling” side-by-side in a public space on campus, according to John Restuccia, president of the College Republicans.
While the College Republicans were handing out flyers for an upcoming speech by famed economist Dr. Arthur Laffer sponsored by the Young America’s Foundation (YAF), the individuals at the TPUSA table were handing out buttons and posters pertaining to conservative political ideology.
Restuccia left to attend a class, but was later called back to the site due to the burgeoning protest. He dialed the State University Police and headed over.
According to Restuccia, as well as Jon Lizak, vice president of Binghamton’s TPUSA chapter, the number of activists grew over the course of the protest until there were roughly 200 people haranguing the conservative students and disrupting their property.
Lacey Kestecher, chapter president of TPUSA at Binghamton, recorded approximately an hour and a half of footage from the frightening encounter, seven minutes of which can be seen below.
More/video here
Older models are more reliable than all-new vehicles, Consumer Reports study finds
Car shoppers have long been annoyed by friends warning them not to buy a brand-new model in its first year on the market because the automaker needs to work the bugs out of it. It turns out they weren’t all just blowing smoke.
The latest Consumer Reports member survey covering 400,000 cars from the 2000 to 2019 model years found that 45 percent of all-new and significantly redesigned vehicles have below-average reliability scores in their first year on the market. The non-profit organization said that vehicles are usually the most reliable the year before they get redesigned, which is often five to seven years after they are first introduced.
Among the newest cars, the top brands on the list were Lexus, Mazda, Toyota, Porsche, Genesis, Hyundai, Subaru, Dodge, Kia and Mini, while the least reliable lineups came from Cadillac, Alfa Romeo, Acura, Volkswagen, Jeep, Chevrolet, Volvo, Tesla GMC and Mercedes-Benz.
https://www.foxnews.com/auto/new-cars-less-reliable-consumer-reports
The latest Consumer Reports member survey covering 400,000 cars from the 2000 to 2019 model years found that 45 percent of all-new and significantly redesigned vehicles have below-average reliability scores in their first year on the market. The non-profit organization said that vehicles are usually the most reliable the year before they get redesigned, which is often five to seven years after they are first introduced.
Among the newest cars, the top brands on the list were Lexus, Mazda, Toyota, Porsche, Genesis, Hyundai, Subaru, Dodge, Kia and Mini, while the least reliable lineups came from Cadillac, Alfa Romeo, Acura, Volkswagen, Jeep, Chevrolet, Volvo, Tesla GMC and Mercedes-Benz.
https://www.foxnews.com/auto/new-cars-less-reliable-consumer-reports
Rep. Stefanik Gets Democrats’ Top Witness to Admit That Obama Admin Knew Hunter Biden’s Corruption Was a Problem
Democrats called fired Ambassador Marie Vovanovitch in to testify before the Schiff show trials after her excellent audition in the Capitol Hill basement.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) was again outstanding today after Adam Schiff finally allowed the Republican female lawmaker to speak.
Rep. Stafanic got the top show trial witness to admit that the Obama administration knew Hunter Biden’s corruption in Ukraine was a problem.
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Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) was again outstanding today after Adam Schiff finally allowed the Republican female lawmaker to speak.
Rep. Stafanic got the top show trial witness to admit that the Obama administration knew Hunter Biden’s corruption in Ukraine was a problem.
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Trump grants clemency to 2 Army officers accused of war crimes, restores rank to Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher
President Trump has granted clemency to two Army officers accused or convicted of war crimes and restored Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher to the rank of chief petty officer after he was docked a pay grade after being convicted of posing for a photo with a dead Islamic State (ISIS) fighter, the White House announced Friday.
Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance could be released from the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as soon as Friday evening, six years after being found guilty of second-degree murder. Maj. Matt Golsteyn, a former Green Beret, will have the murder charge against him dropped.
"Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) for Army First Lieutenant Clint Lorance, an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) for Army Major Mathew Golsteyn, and an order directing the promotion of Special Warfare Operator First Class Edward R. Gallagher to the grade of E-7, the rank he held before he was tried and found not guilty of nearly all of the charges against him," the White House said in a statement Friday night.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-clemency-army-officers-accused-of-war-crimes-navy-seal-eddie-gallagher
Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance could be released from the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as soon as Friday evening, six years after being found guilty of second-degree murder. Maj. Matt Golsteyn, a former Green Beret, will have the murder charge against him dropped.
"Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) for Army First Lieutenant Clint Lorance, an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) for Army Major Mathew Golsteyn, and an order directing the promotion of Special Warfare Operator First Class Edward R. Gallagher to the grade of E-7, the rank he held before he was tried and found not guilty of nearly all of the charges against him," the White House said in a statement Friday night.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-clemency-army-officers-accused-of-war-crimes-navy-seal-eddie-gallagher
Worcester County Officials Outline Education Funding Concerns
SNOW HILL – In a show of solidarity, Worcester County’s elected officials and school system leaders joined together to express their education funding concerns to the Kirwan Commission.
More than a dozen Worcester County representatives, including county staff, commissioners and Worcester County Public Schools officials, traveled to testify in front of the Kirwan Commission. The commission solicited public input Tuesday as it prepares to make final recommendations regarding Maryland’s education system.
“I really think it was about unity,” Commissioner Chip Bertino said. “Coming together as a community to speak with one voice, that was extraordinary.”
Bertino, surrounded by the delegation of local representatives, spoke on behalf of the group Tuesday in front of the commission. He discussed the disparity of the state’s current education funding formula, which has local taxpayers funding 75% of the school system’s budget—more than any other public school jurisdiction in the state. He told commission members that because they’d worked the current formula into their recommendations, there would be no relief for Worcester County.
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More than a dozen Worcester County representatives, including county staff, commissioners and Worcester County Public Schools officials, traveled to testify in front of the Kirwan Commission. The commission solicited public input Tuesday as it prepares to make final recommendations regarding Maryland’s education system.
“I really think it was about unity,” Commissioner Chip Bertino said. “Coming together as a community to speak with one voice, that was extraordinary.”
Bertino, surrounded by the delegation of local representatives, spoke on behalf of the group Tuesday in front of the commission. He discussed the disparity of the state’s current education funding formula, which has local taxpayers funding 75% of the school system’s budget—more than any other public school jurisdiction in the state. He told commission members that because they’d worked the current formula into their recommendations, there would be no relief for Worcester County.
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Billionaire hits Warren: ‘I gave away more in the year than she has in her whole f---ing lifetime’
Billionaire Leon Cooperman bashed Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren after she featured him in a campaign advertisement about her wealth tax.
Warren, 70, released an advertisement touting her “Ultra-Millionaire Tax” and the outrage it sparked with several billionaires who see it as detrimental to the American economy. The video shows a clip of Cooperman, 76, decrying her proposal as “bull” and flashed a sign over his face that read, “Charged with insider trading.”
Cooperman, an investor and CEO of Omega Advisors, was outraged with Warren’s advertisement. He addressed the situation in an interview with CNBC and noted that he had settled the insider trading case.
“In my opinion, she represents the worst in politicians as she’s trying to demonize wealthy people because there are more poor people than wealthy people,” he said, adding, “As far as the accusations of insider trading, I won the case.”
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Warren, 70, released an advertisement touting her “Ultra-Millionaire Tax” and the outrage it sparked with several billionaires who see it as detrimental to the American economy. The video shows a clip of Cooperman, 76, decrying her proposal as “bull” and flashed a sign over his face that read, “Charged with insider trading.”
Cooperman, an investor and CEO of Omega Advisors, was outraged with Warren’s advertisement. He addressed the situation in an interview with CNBC and noted that he had settled the insider trading case.
“In my opinion, she represents the worst in politicians as she’s trying to demonize wealthy people because there are more poor people than wealthy people,” he said, adding, “As far as the accusations of insider trading, I won the case.”
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Deadline nears for Maryland uninsured-motorist debt amnesty
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Time is running out for uninsured motorists in Maryland to take advantage of a program that forgives 80 percent of uninsured-driving debts that became delinquent before 2017.
Debtors have until Dec. 31 to register for the program and begin repaying the remaining 20 percent of their total fines. If an individual registers and pays at least one-sixth of their remaining 20 percent of debt by the end of the year, they have until June 2020 to finish paying.
There are approximately 308,000 unique debtors, who combined have close to 400,000 total unpaid debts, according to Maryland Auto Chief Executive Officer Mark McCurdy.
The average debt is in the range of $2,400 to $2,500, McCurdy told Capital News Service. The fines are issued to drivers found operating a vehicle without insurance or allowing the coverage to lapse on a registered vehicle, and those debts prevent people from renewing their registration.
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Debtors have until Dec. 31 to register for the program and begin repaying the remaining 20 percent of their total fines. If an individual registers and pays at least one-sixth of their remaining 20 percent of debt by the end of the year, they have until June 2020 to finish paying.
There are approximately 308,000 unique debtors, who combined have close to 400,000 total unpaid debts, according to Maryland Auto Chief Executive Officer Mark McCurdy.
The average debt is in the range of $2,400 to $2,500, McCurdy told Capital News Service. The fines are issued to drivers found operating a vehicle without insurance or allowing the coverage to lapse on a registered vehicle, and those debts prevent people from renewing their registration.
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‘Full of hypocrisy’: Jaunita Broaddrick slams Hillary Clinton for tweeting ‘witness intimidation is a crime’
Juanita Broaddrick leveled Hillary Clinton after she tweeted, “Witness intimidation is a crime, no matter who does it.”
On Friday, President Trump tweeted about former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch during her impeachment hearing, which prompted Democratic California Rep. Adam Schiff to accuse him of witness intimidation, saying, “We saw today witness intimidation in real-time by the president of the United States.”
Clinton then took to Twitter to condemn Trump, but her tweet backfired online.
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On Friday, President Trump tweeted about former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch during her impeachment hearing, which prompted Democratic California Rep. Adam Schiff to accuse him of witness intimidation, saying, “We saw today witness intimidation in real-time by the president of the United States.”
Clinton then took to Twitter to condemn Trump, but her tweet backfired online.
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Wagner recalls WWII during OP Veterans Day
Along with abundant sunshine and mild temperatures, the Veterans Day tribute in Ocean Pines on Monday was highlighted by the memories of WWII Navy veteran Carroll Wagner.
“My charge today is to talk about my experience while serving during WWII,” he said.
Native to Baltimore, Wagner was born in 1927 and was winding up high school before answering the call to service from Uncle Sam upon reaching the age of 18.
“I began my senior year and while in high school joined the Navy,” he said. “It appeared the world was subsiding and I would finish high school when it ended.”
In early 1945, with WWII lurching towards the end of hostilities, Wagner was brought to attention after receiving a letter from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ordering him to report for military service on Feb. 7.
“Which happened to be my 18th birthday and here I am a senior in high school,” he said.
While Wagner was completing boot camp at the U.S. Naval training center in Bainbridge, Maryland, President Roosevelt died and was succeeded by his vice-president, Harry Truman. By that point, Nazi leaders in Germany were surrendering.
“They knew I was coming,” he said.
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“My charge today is to talk about my experience while serving during WWII,” he said.
Native to Baltimore, Wagner was born in 1927 and was winding up high school before answering the call to service from Uncle Sam upon reaching the age of 18.
“I began my senior year and while in high school joined the Navy,” he said. “It appeared the world was subsiding and I would finish high school when it ended.”
In early 1945, with WWII lurching towards the end of hostilities, Wagner was brought to attention after receiving a letter from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ordering him to report for military service on Feb. 7.
“Which happened to be my 18th birthday and here I am a senior in high school,” he said.
While Wagner was completing boot camp at the U.S. Naval training center in Bainbridge, Maryland, President Roosevelt died and was succeeded by his vice-president, Harry Truman. By that point, Nazi leaders in Germany were surrendering.
“They knew I was coming,” he said.
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Suspect in 'Potomac River Rapist' Cold Case Arrested
Genealogy websites and a cheek swab enabled U.S. Marshals to arrest a man suspected of being the “Potomac River Rapist,” who terrorized the nation’s capital in the 1990s.
News outlets report 60-year-old Giles Daniel Warrick is now awaiting extradition from Horry County, South Carolina. He’s accused of raping 10 women and killing one of them between 1991 and 1998 in Washington, D.C. and its surrounding suburbs.
Authorities said DNA evidence matched family profiles in genealogy services, enabling investigators to narrow their search after interviewing Warrick’s relatives.
More here
News outlets report 60-year-old Giles Daniel Warrick is now awaiting extradition from Horry County, South Carolina. He’s accused of raping 10 women and killing one of them between 1991 and 1998 in Washington, D.C. and its surrounding suburbs.
Authorities said DNA evidence matched family profiles in genealogy services, enabling investigators to narrow their search after interviewing Warrick’s relatives.
More here
‘She started off in Somalia, how did that go?’: Trump mocks former US ambassador to Ukraine
President Trump attacked former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch on Twitter as she was testifying in front of the House Intelligence Committee Friday morning.
Yovanovitch, a career foreign service officer, was removed from her post last spring and has pointed the finger at Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani for starting a smear campaign against her. Trump also referenced her in the July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he asked for the foreign leader to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, his son Hunter, and Burisma, a Ukrainian company the younger Biden worked for.
"Everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad. She started off in Somalia, how did that go? Then fast forward to Ukraine, where the new Ukrainian President spoke unfavorably about her in my second phone call with him. It is a U.S. President’s absolute right to appoint ambassadors," the president tweet shortly after the start of her testimony.
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Yovanovitch, a career foreign service officer, was removed from her post last spring and has pointed the finger at Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani for starting a smear campaign against her. Trump also referenced her in the July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he asked for the foreign leader to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, his son Hunter, and Burisma, a Ukrainian company the younger Biden worked for.
"Everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad. She started off in Somalia, how did that go? Then fast forward to Ukraine, where the new Ukrainian President spoke unfavorably about her in my second phone call with him. It is a U.S. President’s absolute right to appoint ambassadors," the president tweet shortly after the start of her testimony.
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Federal Appeals Court Rules Ban on Pre-Game Prayer Violates Free Speech
A federal court has partially reversed a lower court’s decision to prohibit prayers being broadcast on loudspeakers ahead of Christian schools’ sporting events, ruling that the ban violated free speech and free exercise rights.
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) rule prohibited prayer at the Citrus Bowl prior to a state championship game between two Christian schools.
In Wednesday’s decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals Eleventh Circuit ruled that Cambridge Christian School’s argument has merit and litigation could continue, a press release from the First Liberty Institute, which is representing the school, said.
“No one should be shocked that two Christian schools would want to start their game with a prayer over the loudspeaker before kickoff, Jeremy Dys, special counsel for litigation and communication for First Liberty told Breitbart News. “The FHSAA’s categorical ban on prayer is the type of hostility toward religion the First Amendment forbids.”
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The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) rule prohibited prayer at the Citrus Bowl prior to a state championship game between two Christian schools.
In Wednesday’s decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals Eleventh Circuit ruled that Cambridge Christian School’s argument has merit and litigation could continue, a press release from the First Liberty Institute, which is representing the school, said.
“No one should be shocked that two Christian schools would want to start their game with a prayer over the loudspeaker before kickoff, Jeremy Dys, special counsel for litigation and communication for First Liberty told Breitbart News. “The FHSAA’s categorical ban on prayer is the type of hostility toward religion the First Amendment forbids.”
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Brett Kavanaugh Lauds Friends, Fellow Justices in First Speech Since Bitter Confirmation
Justice Brett Kavanaugh received heroic accolades at a glittering Federalist Society dinner in Washington’s Union Station on Thursday, where he delivered his first public remarks since his contentious confirmation to the Supreme Court.
Kavanaugh gave a punchy and light-hearted speech, punctuated in spaces with emotional recollections of his nomination to the high court.
“Last year, a lot of my friends put themselves on the line for me,” Kavanaugh said. “People risked their jobs and livelihoods. They were yelled at, insulted, and threatened.”
“I’m on a lifetime mission to thank all my friends,” he said elsewhere.
More here
Kavanaugh gave a punchy and light-hearted speech, punctuated in spaces with emotional recollections of his nomination to the high court.
“Last year, a lot of my friends put themselves on the line for me,” Kavanaugh said. “People risked their jobs and livelihoods. They were yelled at, insulted, and threatened.”
“I’m on a lifetime mission to thank all my friends,” he said elsewhere.
More here
Public Educational Initiative In Arizona Instills Far-Left, ‘Social Justice’ Values
As The Daily Wire’s Hank Berrien reported, a far-left public educational initiative called Deep Equity is being increasingly adopted across the country.
As described by Corwin, an educational training initiative umbrella organization that describes itself as “aimed at producing real school improvement for equity and social justice,” Deep Equity “is a comprehensive and systemic professional development process aimed at producing the deep personal, professional, and organizational transformations that are necessary to create equitable places of learning for all of our nation’s children.”
Using unmistakable leftist language, the program “addresses the dynamics of power and privilege in a safe, engaging, and inspiring environment in which all educators are honored and valued as professionals,” as further described by Corwin.
The Daily Wire also quoted Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s highlighting of the Deep Equity program on his platform. Carlson described Deep Equity as follows:
Read more here
As described by Corwin, an educational training initiative umbrella organization that describes itself as “aimed at producing real school improvement for equity and social justice,” Deep Equity “is a comprehensive and systemic professional development process aimed at producing the deep personal, professional, and organizational transformations that are necessary to create equitable places of learning for all of our nation’s children.”
Using unmistakable leftist language, the program “addresses the dynamics of power and privilege in a safe, engaging, and inspiring environment in which all educators are honored and valued as professionals,” as further described by Corwin.
The Daily Wire also quoted Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s highlighting of the Deep Equity program on his platform. Carlson described Deep Equity as follows:
Read more here
Council Passes Moratorium On Ag Storage Tanks
SALISBURY – Officials in Wicomico County agreed this month to impose a moratorium on the issuance of building permits for certain agricultural storage tanks.
On Nov. 5, the Wicomico County Council voted to pass legislation declaring a moratorium on the issuance of building permits for agricultural storage tanks that hold waste, or sludge, from poultry renderings.
Earlier this year, Wicomico County Planning, Zoning and Community Development issued a building permit that would allow a local farmer to construct a three-million-gallon storage tank containing poultry by-products on his property in the area of Porter Mill Road. Since that time, several nearby residents have shared their concerns with the council regarding the potential smells and hazards associated with the tank.
While the moratorium on building permits would not affect that particular project, officials in Wicomico County argued it would allow for further review of the permitting process and zoning issues in agricultural areas.
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On Nov. 5, the Wicomico County Council voted to pass legislation declaring a moratorium on the issuance of building permits for agricultural storage tanks that hold waste, or sludge, from poultry renderings.
Earlier this year, Wicomico County Planning, Zoning and Community Development issued a building permit that would allow a local farmer to construct a three-million-gallon storage tank containing poultry by-products on his property in the area of Porter Mill Road. Since that time, several nearby residents have shared their concerns with the council regarding the potential smells and hazards associated with the tank.
While the moratorium on building permits would not affect that particular project, officials in Wicomico County argued it would allow for further review of the permitting process and zoning issues in agricultural areas.
More
Journalists Who Exposed Planned Parenthood’s ‘Baby Body Parts’ Trade Found Guilty
The jury in the “Baby Body Parts” trial of activist and journalist David Daleiden has delivered a blow to undercover journalism, declaring that secret filming is now illegal and can leave journalists open to massive damages.
Planned Parenthood was awarded almost $2 million for the filming after alleging activist journalist David Daleiden secretly recorded executives negotiating to sell baby body parts.
Peter Breen, a lawyer for Mr. Daleiden, said the judgement is a direct threat to undercover journalism in California and across the country.
“Undercover Journalism now comes with a $2 million price tag,” he said.
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Planned Parenthood was awarded almost $2 million for the filming after alleging activist journalist David Daleiden secretly recorded executives negotiating to sell baby body parts.
Peter Breen, a lawyer for Mr. Daleiden, said the judgement is a direct threat to undercover journalism in California and across the country.
“Undercover Journalism now comes with a $2 million price tag,” he said.
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Trump on Roger Stone's Conviction: 'What About Crooked Hillary?'
President Donald Trump on Friday, after his former advisor Roger Stone was found guilty of several charges, demanded to know why his 2016 presidential opponent Hillary Clinton and several others were not also going to prison.
"So they now convict Roger Stone of lying and want to jail him for many years to come. Well, what about Crooked Hillary, Comey, Strzok, Page, McCabe, Brennan, Clapper, Shifty Schiff, Ohr & Nellie, Steele & all of the others, including even Mueller himself? Didn't they lie?" he posted on Twitter. "A double standard like never seen before in the history of our Country?"
Stone, a long-time friend and ally of the president, was convicted on all seven counts of an indictment accusing him of lying to Congress about pursuing emails Russia had hacked that were damaging to Clinton's 2016 election bid.
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"So they now convict Roger Stone of lying and want to jail him for many years to come. Well, what about Crooked Hillary, Comey, Strzok, Page, McCabe, Brennan, Clapper, Shifty Schiff, Ohr & Nellie, Steele & all of the others, including even Mueller himself? Didn't they lie?" he posted on Twitter. "A double standard like never seen before in the history of our Country?"
Stone, a long-time friend and ally of the president, was convicted on all seven counts of an indictment accusing him of lying to Congress about pursuing emails Russia had hacked that were damaging to Clinton's 2016 election bid.
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Smoked BBQ Today At Caribbean Joe's In West Ocean City
Book your Christmas Party with us as well. Reservations are limited and booking fast. Call me at 410-430-5349.
Jim Jordan Says Schiff is Hiding FOUR Transcripts
GOP hero Rep. Jim Jordan (OH) blasted Adam Schiff Friday following the impeachment show trial starring disgruntled fired ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.
Schiff has been selectively leaking, and releasing transcripts and portions of transcripts from depositions taken in his secret bunker — Schiff does this to control the narrative and to damage Trump as much as he possibly can.
Schiff has yet to release FOUR transcripts from officials whose testimonies destroyed Schiff’s Trump impeachment train.
The reason for this is so Republican lawmakers cannot use the damaging information in the transcripts to question the impeachment witnesses in Schiff’s public show trials.
“What they [the American people] also haven’t seen yet are FOUR transcripts of people who have already been deposed, which means under House rules we cannot use that testimony in these proceedings,” Jim Jordan told reporters on Friday.
“We would like to use parts of the testimony from Mr. Morrison as an example, in the open hearings but we’re prohibited under House rules from doing that,” he added.
Recall, Tim Morrison was actually on the July 25 Trump-Zelensky phone call and disputes Schiff’s lies.
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Schiff has been selectively leaking, and releasing transcripts and portions of transcripts from depositions taken in his secret bunker — Schiff does this to control the narrative and to damage Trump as much as he possibly can.
Schiff has yet to release FOUR transcripts from officials whose testimonies destroyed Schiff’s Trump impeachment train.
The reason for this is so Republican lawmakers cannot use the damaging information in the transcripts to question the impeachment witnesses in Schiff’s public show trials.
“What they [the American people] also haven’t seen yet are FOUR transcripts of people who have already been deposed, which means under House rules we cannot use that testimony in these proceedings,” Jim Jordan told reporters on Friday.
“We would like to use parts of the testimony from Mr. Morrison as an example, in the open hearings but we’re prohibited under House rules from doing that,” he added.
Recall, Tim Morrison was actually on the July 25 Trump-Zelensky phone call and disputes Schiff’s lies.
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Friday, November 15, 2019
Official Linked to ‘Spygate’ Hatched Plan for Biden to Force Firing of Top Ukrainian Prosecutor
A senior State Department official involved in events connected to the surveillance of the Trump 2016 presidential campaign was directly involved in concocting a plan to have Vice President Joe Biden force the firing of the top prosecutor in Ukraine, by threatening to withhold $1 billion in U.S. loan guarantees, according to the impeachment inquiry testimony of George Kent, a senior State Department official.
State Department Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland worked with U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt in late 2015 to create a plan to force the firing of Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, according to Kent. Nuland was also among a network of Obama administration officials involved in the distribution and recirculation of the infamous Steele dossier, the document used by the FBI to secure a maximally intrusive spy warrant to surveil a Trump-campaign associate.
“My understanding is that the conversations that were near-daily between Ambassador Pyatt and Toria Nuland regarding what to do on the way forward then included pitching the office of the Vice President to push President Poroshenko to remove Shokin,” Kent told lawmakers on Oct. 15.
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State Department Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland worked with U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt in late 2015 to create a plan to force the firing of Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, according to Kent. Nuland was also among a network of Obama administration officials involved in the distribution and recirculation of the infamous Steele dossier, the document used by the FBI to secure a maximally intrusive spy warrant to surveil a Trump-campaign associate.
“My understanding is that the conversations that were near-daily between Ambassador Pyatt and Toria Nuland regarding what to do on the way forward then included pitching the office of the Vice President to push President Poroshenko to remove Shokin,” Kent told lawmakers on Oct. 15.
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Ukraine and the fine hand of George Soros
There was a missing person in yesterday's testimony in the "impeachment inquiry": George Soros. One person who noticed was Joe DiGenova, who brought up the involvement of the Hungarian-born billionaire yesterday on Lou Dobbs's Fox Business Network show, only to be attacked viciously for daring to mention Him Who Must Not Be Named, on Mediaite by Reed Richardson, who called it a "bonkers conspiracy."
The husband-and-wife Trump defense team of Joe diGenova and Victoria Toensing appeared on Fox Business' Lou Dobbs Tonight to push an outlandish conspiracy theory about Ukraine, baselessly alleging that left-wing billionaire George Soros "controls a large part of the foreign service part of the State Department and the activities of FBI agents overseas."More
Mark Steyn: Trump an 'inspirational' voice for a 'faint-hearted Republican Party'
Commentator and author Mark Steyn said Thursday that President Trump sounds like an inspirational voice to thousands of his supporters.
Steyn made the comment on "Tucker Carlson Tonight" while listening in on the president's rally in northwestern Louisiana, and added that Trump is energizing the GOP by fighting back against the Democrats' impeachment inquiry and any potential Senate conviction.
"The president, actually, in this circumstance is standing there and saying 'Go, bring it on' -- 'Even if you did that I'd still run next November and I'd win next November'," Steyn said in reference to the inquiry. "He's inspirational to a faint-hearted Republican Party. This is the way to do it. This is why people voted for him -- because your base wants a candidate that pushes back."
https://www.foxnews.com/media/mark-steyn-trump-republican-party-impeachment-rally
Steyn made the comment on "Tucker Carlson Tonight" while listening in on the president's rally in northwestern Louisiana, and added that Trump is energizing the GOP by fighting back against the Democrats' impeachment inquiry and any potential Senate conviction.
"The president, actually, in this circumstance is standing there and saying 'Go, bring it on' -- 'Even if you did that I'd still run next November and I'd win next November'," Steyn said in reference to the inquiry. "He's inspirational to a faint-hearted Republican Party. This is the way to do it. This is why people voted for him -- because your base wants a candidate that pushes back."
https://www.foxnews.com/media/mark-steyn-trump-republican-party-impeachment-rally
Federal Judge Slams Feds Over Indecision on Andrew McCabe, “This is Not a Hard Case!”
U.S. District Court Judge Reggie Walton blasted the Justice Department on Thursday for their indecision on former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.
Walton, a George W. Bush appointee said, “This is not a hard case. I was a good prosecutor for a long time. Deciding whether or not you’re going to charge someone with false statements or perjury is not that hard, factually or legally — maybe politically, but not factually or legally.”
The hearing Thursday stemmed from a FOIA lawsuit filed by far-left watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington to obtain documents related to McCabe’s firing.
Recall, McCabe was fired in March of 2018 just hours before he was set to retire with full benefits and one month later, IG Horowitz released a scathing report on McCabe saying he ‘lacked candor’ (lied) several times, including under oath.
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Walton, a George W. Bush appointee said, “This is not a hard case. I was a good prosecutor for a long time. Deciding whether or not you’re going to charge someone with false statements or perjury is not that hard, factually or legally — maybe politically, but not factually or legally.”
The hearing Thursday stemmed from a FOIA lawsuit filed by far-left watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington to obtain documents related to McCabe’s firing.
Recall, McCabe was fired in March of 2018 just hours before he was set to retire with full benefits and one month later, IG Horowitz released a scathing report on McCabe saying he ‘lacked candor’ (lied) several times, including under oath.
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Most who illegally enter as families released without needing to claim asylum
More than 75% of the 473,682 people who illegally crossed the southern border into the United States as part of a family during fiscal 2019 did not seek asylum and were simply released into the country without the legal justification that they need to be here to avoid danger
Senior Homeland Security officials who appeared before a Senate committee Wednesday said only 105,000 of those arrested on the southern border in fiscal 2019 claimed they had a “credible fear” of returning to their home country, far fewer than expected. It's an indication migrants believe they can enter illegally and successfully remain without having to present a legitimate reason for doing so.
“The bottom line is we literally let hundreds of thousands of people in, and they didn’t even have to claim credible fear,” said Ron Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Wednesday.
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Senior Homeland Security officials who appeared before a Senate committee Wednesday said only 105,000 of those arrested on the southern border in fiscal 2019 claimed they had a “credible fear” of returning to their home country, far fewer than expected. It's an indication migrants believe they can enter illegally and successfully remain without having to present a legitimate reason for doing so.
“The bottom line is we literally let hundreds of thousands of people in, and they didn’t even have to claim credible fear,” said Ron Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Wednesday.
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Law Enforcement Leaders Announce Project Guardian-DMV
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A new illegal firearms initiative announced today, Project Guardian-DMV, is designed to reduce violent crime and further enforce federal firearms laws across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV).
The new initiative builds on the Justice Department’s national effort, Project Guardian, announced by Attorney General William P. Barr on Wednesday.
“Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America,” said Attorney General Barr. “The Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian. Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally.”
Project Guardian-DMV will localize the effort to the DMV region, and expands upon the current partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the District of Columbia and the Eastern District of Virginia, the ATF, and Metro Police Department, and now also includes the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Maryland and the Western District of Virginia, and the Virginia State Police.
“The public is on notice that we are deadly serious about illegal firearms offenses,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Now with leadership of Attorney General Barr, all the tentacles of the Department of Justice, including the ATF and its Crime Gun Intelligence capabilities, and the amazing men and women in blue on the beat, we are doubling down on illegal firearms with Project Guardian.”
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The new initiative builds on the Justice Department’s national effort, Project Guardian, announced by Attorney General William P. Barr on Wednesday.
“Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America,” said Attorney General Barr. “The Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian. Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally.”
Project Guardian-DMV will localize the effort to the DMV region, and expands upon the current partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the District of Columbia and the Eastern District of Virginia, the ATF, and Metro Police Department, and now also includes the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Maryland and the Western District of Virginia, and the Virginia State Police.
“The public is on notice that we are deadly serious about illegal firearms offenses,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Now with leadership of Attorney General Barr, all the tentacles of the Department of Justice, including the ATF and its Crime Gun Intelligence capabilities, and the amazing men and women in blue on the beat, we are doubling down on illegal firearms with Project Guardian.”
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NOI 11/15/19 Wicomico Dwelling Fire Ayrshire Drive
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NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
Date: November 15, 2019
Time: 11:02 a.m.
Location / Address: 6165 Ayrshire Dr., Salisbury, Wicomico Co.
Type of Incident: Fire
Description of Structure / Property: One story wood frame single family dwelling
Owner / Occupants: Michael Littleton
Injuries or Deaths: None
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $1,500 Contents: $500
Smoke Alarm Status: Present and activated
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: n/a
Arrests(s): None
Primary Responding Fire Department: Hebron Fire Department
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 15
Time to Control: 10 minutes
Discovered By: Occupant
Area of Origin: Bedroom
Preliminary Cause: Accidental, careless discard of smoking materials
Additional Information:
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Atheist Group Demands High School Football Coach Stop Praying with His Team
A Missouri high school football coach has been attacked for 'illegally' praying with his team, in a recent complaint filed by an atheist group.
In October, the Madison, Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the Cameron School District in Cameron, Missouri, demanding that the district instruct coach Jeff Wallace and assistant coach David Stucky to cease praying with the players, Fox News reported.
“We ask that the district commence an investigation into the complaints alleged and take immediate action to stop any and all school-sponsored prayers or religious worship.” The group’s attorney, Christopher Line, also asked the district to relay how they intended to “remedy this serious and flagrant violation of the First Amendment.”
However, District Superintendent Dr. Matt Robinson replied by noting that the district had received no complaints from anyone in the Cameron community. Robinson went on to assure the atheist group that the district does not endorse any particular religion but that they would look into the complaint.
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In October, the Madison, Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the Cameron School District in Cameron, Missouri, demanding that the district instruct coach Jeff Wallace and assistant coach David Stucky to cease praying with the players, Fox News reported.
“We ask that the district commence an investigation into the complaints alleged and take immediate action to stop any and all school-sponsored prayers or religious worship.” The group’s attorney, Christopher Line, also asked the district to relay how they intended to “remedy this serious and flagrant violation of the First Amendment.”
However, District Superintendent Dr. Matt Robinson replied by noting that the district had received no complaints from anyone in the Cameron community. Robinson went on to assure the atheist group that the district does not endorse any particular religion but that they would look into the complaint.
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Criminal alien arrested for murder after ICE immigration detainers are repeatedly ignored by local law enforcement
When law enforcement agencies do not honor ICE detainers or simple notification requests, the individuals they release, who often have significant criminal histories, are turned out into an unsuspecting community, free to continue their criminal behavior and seek out new victims. Such is the case of Julio Cruz-Velazquez, a citizen of Mexico who is in the United States illegally and now charged with murdering a man, as he lay asleep in his own home, Nov. 3.
Julio Cruz-Velazquez has the aforementioned significant criminal history:
- On Feb. 3, 2000, Cruz-Velazquez was encountered by Border Patrol and voluntarily returned to Mexico the following day. He reentered the United States illegally at an unknown location on an unknown date, without inspection.
- Cruz-Velazquez was arrested three times from 2010-2012 by the Seattle Police Department on local charges including robbery and manufacturing and possessing a controlled substance. On all three occasions he was released prior to ICE having time to lodge a detainer.
- On June 7, 2012, Cruz-Velazquez was arrested by the Seattle Police Department and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle. He was subsequently released on an unknown date, prior to ICE having time to lodge a detainer.
- On Aug. 10, 2015, Cruz-Velazquez was arrested for failure to comply by the Seattle Police Department. He was released, yet again, without ICE having time to lodge a detainer.
- On Nov. 16, 2015, Cruz-Velazquez was convicted of vehicle prowling and sentenced to 364 days in jail and 12 months community service. Cruz-Velazquez was later released on an unknown date.
- On July 27, 2016, Cruz-Velazquez was arrested by the Seattle Police Department and charged with burglary and malicious mischief. He was released, yet again, without ICE having time to lodge a detainer.
- On July 7, 2018, Cruz-Velazquez was arrested by the Tukwila Police Department and charged with rape and domestic violence. On July 9, 2018, ICE lodged a detainer with the King County Jail. The detainer was not honored and the King County Jail released him on an unknown date without notifying ICE.
- On Jan. 4, 2019, Cruz-Velazquez was arrested by the Tukwila Police Department and charged with failure to comply and driving under the influence. On Jan. 7, 2019, ICE lodged a detainer with the King County Jail. The detainer was not honored and the King County Jail released him on an unknown date without notifying ICE.
- On April 4, 2019, Cruz-Velazquez was convicted of assault II-domestic violence.
- On July 10, 2019, Cruz-Velazquez was booked into the Nisqually Jail and charged with a community custody violation. The following day, he was released prior to ICE being able to lodge a detainer.
- On Nov. 7, 2019, Cruz-Velazquez was arrested by the Seattle Police Department and charged with homicide. ICE lodged a detainer the same day with King County Jail.
'I’m embarrassed for you': Kellyanne Conway steams after clip of husband’s MSNBC commentary played
CNN host Wolf Blitzer pressed Kellyanne Conway to respond to her husband, George Conway’s MSNBC commentary on the impeachment hearings.
George Conway joined MSNBC’s coverage of the House impeachment hearings on Tuesday, despite saying that he does not want to be on television. Conway has been one of President Trump’s loudest critics for the past few years.
During an interview on Thursday morning, Blitzer asked Kellyanne Conway to respond to her husband’s commentary, including his opinion that Trump had used his office to “advance his own personal interest as opposed to the country’s.”
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George Conway joined MSNBC’s coverage of the House impeachment hearings on Tuesday, despite saying that he does not want to be on television. Conway has been one of President Trump’s loudest critics for the past few years.
During an interview on Thursday morning, Blitzer asked Kellyanne Conway to respond to her husband’s commentary, including his opinion that Trump had used his office to “advance his own personal interest as opposed to the country’s.”
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Press Release: Thanksgiving & Native American Heritage Day
WICOMICO COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Salisbury, MD ... Wicomico County Government Offices will be closed Thursday, November 28, 2019, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday and Friday, November 29, 2019 in observance of Native Heritage Day.
CONVENIENCE CENTERS, LANDFILL, BRUSH PILE, FERRIES THANKSGIVING DAY & NATIVE HERITAGE DAY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Salisbury, MD ... On Thursday, November 28, 2019, the Newland Park Landfill, Convenience Center and Brush Pile, all external Convenience Centers, Whitehaven Ferry and Upper Ferry will be closed.
On Friday, November 29, 2019, the Newland Park Landfill and Convenience Center and the Upper Ferry and Whitehaven Ferry will be open; all external Convenience Centers will be closed.
For more information, please contact the Newland Park Landfill at 410-548-4935. Ferry information is available by calling 410-543-2765.
Browns' Myles Garrett suspended indefinitely; Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey gets 3-game ban
BEREA, Ohio -- Myles Garrett will not play again this season, and maybe longer.
The NFL announced Friday that the Cleveland Browns defensive end has been suspended for the rest of this season, including the playoffs should the Browns make it, and will have to meet with the commissioner's office before being reinstated in 2020.
Garrett ripped the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and clubbed him in the head with it in the final seconds of Thursday night's game.
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The NFL announced Friday that the Cleveland Browns defensive end has been suspended for the rest of this season, including the playoffs should the Browns make it, and will have to meet with the commissioner's office before being reinstated in 2020.
Garrett ripped the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and clubbed him in the head with it in the final seconds of Thursday night's game.
"Last night, I made a terrible mistake," Garrett said in a statement issued Friday. "I lost my cool and what I did was selfish and unacceptable. I know that we are all responsible for our actions, and I can only prove my true character through my actions moving forward.Garrett's suspension, which is at least six games, is the longest in NFL history for a single on-field incident.
"I want to apologize to Mason Rudolph, my teammates, our entire organization, our fans and to the NFL. I know I have to be accountable for what happened, learn from my mistake, and I fully intend to do so."
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Michael Bloomberg to launch $100 million digital anti-Trump campaign
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire media mogul who continues to weigh a run for the Democratic nomination for president, will launch a $100 million online ad campaign targeting Republican President Donald Trump, an advisor confirmed.
Bloomberg has not said whether he will run for president, but has qualified as a candidate to appear on the primary ballots of two states. The moderate former mayor of New York City would have a tough fight to win the primary that began in earnest in the spring and has allowed possible rivals to campaign for months already.
The online advertisements Bloomberg is funding, which have not yet run but are slated to begin Friday, will target four states: Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The advertisements are slated to run through the primary season, regardless of whether Bloomberg decides to run for president, the aide confirmed. The details were first reported by The New York Times.
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Bloomberg has not said whether he will run for president, but has qualified as a candidate to appear on the primary ballots of two states. The moderate former mayor of New York City would have a tough fight to win the primary that began in earnest in the spring and has allowed possible rivals to campaign for months already.
The online advertisements Bloomberg is funding, which have not yet run but are slated to begin Friday, will target four states: Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The advertisements are slated to run through the primary season, regardless of whether Bloomberg decides to run for president, the aide confirmed. The details were first reported by The New York Times.
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White House releases transcript of Trump’s first call with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky
The White House on Friday released the transcript of President Trump’s first call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky — in which he congratulated him “on a fantastic election.”
The president had promised several times to release the transcript of the April 12 call, which he described as more important that the one about three months later in which Trump asked Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
That call prompted a whistleblower complaint that led Democrats to launch an impeachment inquiry. The probe centers on whether Trump abused his power by withholding almost $400 million in security aid to put pressure on the US ally.
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The president had promised several times to release the transcript of the April 12 call, which he described as more important that the one about three months later in which Trump asked Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
That call prompted a whistleblower complaint that led Democrats to launch an impeachment inquiry. The probe centers on whether Trump abused his power by withholding almost $400 million in security aid to put pressure on the US ally.
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Trump flips New York-based appeals court as Steven Menashi confirmed
With the confirmation of White House attorney Steven Menashi to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, another federal appeals court has a majority of Republican-appointed judges.
Menashi, whose nomination was vehemently opposed by Democrats and civil rights groups, was confirmed by the Senate, 51-41. Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins joined Democrats in opposing the 40-year-old's nomination. The 2nd Circuit now has seven judges tapped by Republican presidents and six named by Democrats.
The 2nd Circuit is the second federal appeals court Trump has remade to have a majority of judges appointed by GOP presidents. In March, the president flipped the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals with the confirmation of Paul Matey.
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Menashi, whose nomination was vehemently opposed by Democrats and civil rights groups, was confirmed by the Senate, 51-41. Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins joined Democrats in opposing the 40-year-old's nomination. The 2nd Circuit now has seven judges tapped by Republican presidents and six named by Democrats.
The 2nd Circuit is the second federal appeals court Trump has remade to have a majority of judges appointed by GOP presidents. In March, the president flipped the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals with the confirmation of Paul Matey.
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DOJ sidesteps Supreme Court battle over illegal immigrant teen abortions
The Justice Department has decided not to appeal a court ruling that requires the government to facilitate illegal-immigrant teens getting abortions in the U.S., defying President Trump’s pro-life allies who had been calling for a fight all the way to the Supreme Court.
The decision was made last week, when Solicitor General Noel Francisco allowed the deadline to lapse without filing an appeal with the justices.
He’d asked for two extensions of time this fall, as he said the government was pondering its decision, but ultimately dropped the case, leaving in place a lower court ruling that granted class action status to illegal immigrant teens and ordered the government to facilitate abortions for those who request them.
A spokeswoman for Mr. Francisco and the Justice Department declined to comment on the decision.
But analysts said he may have been convinced to drop the case after gaming out possible outcomes at the high court — particularly the role of Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, who participated in the case when it came through the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.
Though the final decision would have been up to Justice Kavanaugh, it is standard practice for a justice to recuse himself from a case he had heard while on a lower court.
Curt Levey, president of the conservative court-watching outfit Committee for Justice, said that expected recusal would make this “not the ideal case” for a Supreme Court test.
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The decision was made last week, when Solicitor General Noel Francisco allowed the deadline to lapse without filing an appeal with the justices.
He’d asked for two extensions of time this fall, as he said the government was pondering its decision, but ultimately dropped the case, leaving in place a lower court ruling that granted class action status to illegal immigrant teens and ordered the government to facilitate abortions for those who request them.
A spokeswoman for Mr. Francisco and the Justice Department declined to comment on the decision.
But analysts said he may have been convinced to drop the case after gaming out possible outcomes at the high court — particularly the role of Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, who participated in the case when it came through the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.
Though the final decision would have been up to Justice Kavanaugh, it is standard practice for a justice to recuse himself from a case he had heard while on a lower court.
Curt Levey, president of the conservative court-watching outfit Committee for Justice, said that expected recusal would make this “not the ideal case” for a Supreme Court test.
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US-born 'ISIS bride' Hoda Muthana isn't an American citizen and can't come back, judge rules
A woman born in New Jersey, who fled the United States to join the Islamic State five years ago, isn't an American citizen and won't be leaving the Syrian refugee camp where she resides, a federal judge ruled.
Hoda Muthana, the so-called ISIS bride, “doesn’t have a constitutional right to return to the United States because she is not a U.S. citizen,” Judge Reggie Walton of the District of Columbia District Court ruled Thursday.
Muthana, 25, left her family home in Alabama and dropped out of school in 2014 after making contact with ISIS fighters through social media. She was born to a Yemeni diplomat in 1994 and was issued an American passport despite eventual confusion about when her father's diplomatic post officially came to an end.
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Hoda Muthana, the so-called ISIS bride, “doesn’t have a constitutional right to return to the United States because she is not a U.S. citizen,” Judge Reggie Walton of the District of Columbia District Court ruled Thursday.
Muthana, 25, left her family home in Alabama and dropped out of school in 2014 after making contact with ISIS fighters through social media. She was born to a Yemeni diplomat in 1994 and was issued an American passport despite eventual confusion about when her father's diplomatic post officially came to an end.
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Meet Narwhal, the puppy found with a tail growing out of his head
The puppy is affectionatly known as Narwhal has a tail growing out of the middle of his forehead.
The puppy was rescued by Mac’s Mission earlier this month.
Narwhal was recently taken to a veterinarian for x-rays and the tail does zero harm to the puppy.
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Massive Google antitrust probe will expand into search and Android businesses
The 50 attorneys general investigating Google are preparing to expand their antitrust probe beyond the company's advertising business to dive more deeply into its search and Android businesses, people familiar with the matter tell CNBC.
The development comes as politicians on both sides of the aisle, including President Donald Trump, increasingly tee off on Silicon Valley. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren has called for Big Tech companies to be broken up.
The attorneys general – who represent 48 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. – will write up subpoenas known as civil investigative demands, or CIDs, to support the inquiries, the people said. One of the people cautioned that the subpoenas may not be served imminently.
So far, the investigation has explicitly focused on Google's advertising business.
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The development comes as politicians on both sides of the aisle, including President Donald Trump, increasingly tee off on Silicon Valley. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren has called for Big Tech companies to be broken up.
The attorneys general – who represent 48 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. – will write up subpoenas known as civil investigative demands, or CIDs, to support the inquiries, the people said. One of the people cautioned that the subpoenas may not be served imminently.
So far, the investigation has explicitly focused on Google's advertising business.
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Steve Daines to Google: ‘Critical’ to Protect Americans’ Healthcare Privacy
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) sent a letter to Google requesting answers on how it ensures Americans’ and Montanans’ private healthcare data.
Daines sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai requesting answers on how to secure Americans’ private data in the wake of a report that found that Google led a project code-named “Project Nightingale” to gain more control over Americans’ medical data. The report found that at least 150 Google employees had access to tens of millions of Americans’ personal data.
Daines wrote to Pichai:
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Daines sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai requesting answers on how to secure Americans’ private data in the wake of a report that found that Google led a project code-named “Project Nightingale” to gain more control over Americans’ medical data. The report found that at least 150 Google employees had access to tens of millions of Americans’ personal data.
Daines wrote to Pichai:
[O]ne of my top priorities in Congress is upholding the privacy rights of Montanans, and all Americans, and ensuring there are robust safeguards in place to protect sensitive patient data. In light of recent reports regarding ‘Project Nightingale,’ I am concerned about how patient information is being collected and stored and believe it is critical that we ensure sensitive health data is handled properly and lawfully.The federal government has opened an investigation into Google’s effort to collect the personal data of millions of Americans through its “Project Nightingale.”
More here
Don Trump Jr. thanks 'deplorables' after book tops NYT best-seller list
A new book by Donald Trump Jr. has topped the New York Times best-seller list.
The book, titled Triggered, explores "all the tricks that the left uses to smear conservatives and push them out of the public square, from online 'shadow banning' to rampant 'political correctness,'" according to its description.
"Thanks Deplorables!," Trump Jr. tweeted Thursday morning.
"Deplorables" is a reference to Hillary Clinton's characterization of President Trump's supporters as a "basket of deplorables" who should be shamed and dismissed.
The book beat out Mitch Albom's new recount of recent mission trips in earthquake-stricken Haiti and Fox News personality Brian Kilmeade's historical look at the battle at the Alamo in 1863.
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The book, titled Triggered, explores "all the tricks that the left uses to smear conservatives and push them out of the public square, from online 'shadow banning' to rampant 'political correctness,'" according to its description.
"Thanks Deplorables!," Trump Jr. tweeted Thursday morning.
"Deplorables" is a reference to Hillary Clinton's characterization of President Trump's supporters as a "basket of deplorables" who should be shamed and dismissed.
The book beat out Mitch Albom's new recount of recent mission trips in earthquake-stricken Haiti and Fox News personality Brian Kilmeade's historical look at the battle at the Alamo in 1863.
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Rand Paul May Force Vote to Compel Hunter Biden, Whistleblower to Testify in Impeachment Proceedings
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) says he's considering forcing votes on motions that would allow President Trump to call his own witnesses forward during an impeachment trial, Politico is reporting. The Kentucky senator has recently called for Hunter Biden and Eric Ciaramella specifically to testify in the impeachment inquiry.
(Via Politico)
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(Via Politico)
Though Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) urged Republicans on Wednesday to limit divisive votes to bring in witnesses, senators believe they will be able to offer their own amendments on the chamber’s impeachment resolution. Some Republicans also want the Senate to call the whistleblower."If you can't call Hunter Biden and you can't call the whistleblower, that's sort of a sham. That's not really even a trial," Sen. Paul recently said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
“I believe very strongly the president should be able to call his own witnesses,” Paul told reporters on Thursday. “The rules that are put forward will be amendable, so yes I will consider strongly that the president should get his full due process, which to me means bringing in his own witnesses.”
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Southern border arrests drop for fifth straight month from high of 132K to 35K
The number of people arrested for illegally crossing the southern border from Mexico dropped in October for a fifth consecutive month, down 73% after hitting 132,000 arrests in May.
More than 35,000 people were apprehended by Border Patrol agents for illegally entering Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California between official crossing points last month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said Thursday.
The number of arrests in October was down from around 40,000 in September, 50,000 in August, 71,000 in July, and 94,000 in June. CBP uses the number of arrests as an indicator of how many people tried to illegally enter the country, since it is not able to stop every person who tries.
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More than 35,000 people were apprehended by Border Patrol agents for illegally entering Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California between official crossing points last month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said Thursday.
The number of arrests in October was down from around 40,000 in September, 50,000 in August, 71,000 in July, and 94,000 in June. CBP uses the number of arrests as an indicator of how many people tried to illegally enter the country, since it is not able to stop every person who tries.
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Trump Admin Will Fight European Mandate that Jewish-Made Goods Carry ‘Warning Labels’
The Trump administration is preparing to go toe-to-toe with the European Union over the latter's recent decision to mandate that Jewish-made goods produced in contested areas of Israel carry consumer warning labels, a decision critics have described as reminiscent of Nazi-era boycotts, according to senior U.S. officials who briefed the Washington Free Beacon.
The European Court of Justice affirmed on Tuesday new laws mandating that Jewish-made products originating in disputed territories be labeled as coming from "settlements" and "Israeli colonies." Observers viewed the decision as a major win for the anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. The labels are not being applied to Palestinian goods produced in the same areas, a point emphasized by legal experts who described the decision as part of a larger global effort to de-legitimize Israel and penalize Jewish manufacturers.
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The European Court of Justice affirmed on Tuesday new laws mandating that Jewish-made products originating in disputed territories be labeled as coming from "settlements" and "Israeli colonies." Observers viewed the decision as a major win for the anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. The labels are not being applied to Palestinian goods produced in the same areas, a point emphasized by legal experts who described the decision as part of a larger global effort to de-legitimize Israel and penalize Jewish manufacturers.
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Fox News tops other networks in impeachment witness testimony coverage
Fox News led the way in viewership for the first public hearing in the House's impeachment investigation. William Taylor, the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, and George Kent, the deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, testified in front of the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday.
Over the course of their 5 1/2-hour testimony, Fox News had an average of 2.88 million viewers, with 442,000 people in the key 25-54 age demographic, according to a CNN press release. Comparatively, MSNBC came in second with an audience of 2.7 million people. ABC News was the only other network to average more than 2 million viewers. However, they did win out in the key demo.
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Over the course of their 5 1/2-hour testimony, Fox News had an average of 2.88 million viewers, with 442,000 people in the key 25-54 age demographic, according to a CNN press release. Comparatively, MSNBC came in second with an audience of 2.7 million people. ABC News was the only other network to average more than 2 million viewers. However, they did win out in the key demo.
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Secret Service: School Shooters Exhibit ‘Concerning Behavior’ Before Attacking
A U.S. Secret Service study examining school shootings between 2008 and 2017 shows that all shooters “exhibited concerning behaviors” prior to carrying out their attacks.
The study shows, “All attackers exhibited concerning behaviors. Most elicited concern from others, and most communicated their intent to attack.” Moreover, “Most of the attackers communicated a prior threat to their target or communicated their intentions to carry out an attack.”
How were the threats perceived? The Secret Service says, “In many … cases, someone observed a threatening communication or behavior but did not act, either out of fear, not believing the attacker, misjudging the immediacy or location, or believing they had dissuaded the attacker.”
On October 31, 2019, Breitbart News reported Andrew Pollack’s warning that “politically correct policies to decrease juvenile arrests” and other leftist school policies endanger children by ignoring or overlooking threats. Pollack’s daughter, Meadow, was killed in the February 14, 2018, Parkland, Florida, high school shooting.
The Secret Service study also notes that nearly all school attackers acquired their guns from home. The study notes that “many of the attackers used unsecured firearms, others were able to gain access to firearms that were secured in a safe.” This means point of sale of gun controls, like universal background checks, would not prevent school shootings, as so many of the attackers are getting their guns the way the Sandy Hook Elementary School attacker got his–by stealing them from his mother.
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The study shows, “All attackers exhibited concerning behaviors. Most elicited concern from others, and most communicated their intent to attack.” Moreover, “Most of the attackers communicated a prior threat to their target or communicated their intentions to carry out an attack.”
How were the threats perceived? The Secret Service says, “In many … cases, someone observed a threatening communication or behavior but did not act, either out of fear, not believing the attacker, misjudging the immediacy or location, or believing they had dissuaded the attacker.”
On October 31, 2019, Breitbart News reported Andrew Pollack’s warning that “politically correct policies to decrease juvenile arrests” and other leftist school policies endanger children by ignoring or overlooking threats. Pollack’s daughter, Meadow, was killed in the February 14, 2018, Parkland, Florida, high school shooting.
The Secret Service study also notes that nearly all school attackers acquired their guns from home. The study notes that “many of the attackers used unsecured firearms, others were able to gain access to firearms that were secured in a safe.” This means point of sale of gun controls, like universal background checks, would not prevent school shootings, as so many of the attackers are getting their guns the way the Sandy Hook Elementary School attacker got his–by stealing them from his mother.
More here
Solicitor General Tells SCOTUS: Federal Law Does Not Allow DACA Work Permits
The nation’s immigration law does not allow the large-scale award of work permits to the huge class of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) migrants, the nation’s solicitor general told the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
“My final and critical point is that there’s no limiting principle” in the award of benefits — including work permits — to DACA enrollees, Solicitor General Leon Francisco told the court. He continued:
"The theory on which DACA rests effectively allows the government to create a shadow [Immigration and Nationality Act] INA for any category of aliens that it chooses to make low-priority targets, a shadow second-tier INA. And you, at the very least, need to locate something in the INA that confers that kind of broad and unfettered discretion. And there is simply nothing there."
This admission creates a problem for technology investors because it may lead to a rollback of several huge, wage-lowering visa-worker programs, including the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program used by Microsoft and many other corporations.
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“My final and critical point is that there’s no limiting principle” in the award of benefits — including work permits — to DACA enrollees, Solicitor General Leon Francisco told the court. He continued:
"The theory on which DACA rests effectively allows the government to create a shadow [Immigration and Nationality Act] INA for any category of aliens that it chooses to make low-priority targets, a shadow second-tier INA. And you, at the very least, need to locate something in the INA that confers that kind of broad and unfettered discretion. And there is simply nothing there."
This admission creates a problem for technology investors because it may lead to a rollback of several huge, wage-lowering visa-worker programs, including the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program used by Microsoft and many other corporations.
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Baltimore mayor says high homicide rate is not his fault: ‘I’m not committing the murders’
Baltimore Mayor Jack Young said his administration doesn’t carry any responsibility for the increasing homicide rate in the city.
For the fifth consecutive year, Baltimore witnessed its 300th murder. Authorities confirmed the 300th murder on Thursday and noted the city is on pace to have its most violent year on record. The 300th murder in 2018 was recorded on Dec. 20, more than a month later than the city hit the bloody milestone in 2019.
In a press conference, Young said the violence isn’t the fault of his leadership. He noted that neither he nor Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison have committed any of the 300 murders that took place under their watch.
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For the fifth consecutive year, Baltimore witnessed its 300th murder. Authorities confirmed the 300th murder on Thursday and noted the city is on pace to have its most violent year on record. The 300th murder in 2018 was recorded on Dec. 20, more than a month later than the city hit the bloody milestone in 2019.
In a press conference, Young said the violence isn’t the fault of his leadership. He noted that neither he nor Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison have committed any of the 300 murders that took place under their watch.
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Schumer fumes as Senate confirms White House lawyer as appeals court judge
A White House lawyer won Senate confirmation as a federal appeals court judge Thursday despite complaints by lawmakers from both parties about his record on immigration, race, women’s equality and LGBTQ rights.
Steven Menashi, an associate White House counsel, was confirmed by a 51-41 vote for a seat on the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer of New York called Menashi a “disgrace” and ”one of the most contemptible nominees to come before the Senate” in more than 20 years.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Menashi an “impressive nominee,” citing his degrees from Dartmouth College and Stanford Law School, clerkships for federal judges including Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, and experience teaching and practicing law.
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Steven Menashi, an associate White House counsel, was confirmed by a 51-41 vote for a seat on the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer of New York called Menashi a “disgrace” and ”one of the most contemptible nominees to come before the Senate” in more than 20 years.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Menashi an “impressive nominee,” citing his degrees from Dartmouth College and Stanford Law School, clerkships for federal judges including Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, and experience teaching and practicing law.
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House Ethics Committee examining alleged Rep. Rashida Tlaib campaign finance irregularities
The House Ethics Committee said it is gathering facts in a review of potential campaign finance violations by Michigan Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
Federal Election Commission filings show that after Tlaib's election in 2018, to her first term, she paid herself a total of $17,500 from her campaign chest. Although congressional candidates can pay themselves during their election cycle, they are restricted from drawing a salary after they are elected.
In a statement Thursday, the ethics committee's members said the review is not the same as an investigation of Tlaib, 43, who represents a Detroit district.
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Federal Election Commission filings show that after Tlaib's election in 2018, to her first term, she paid herself a total of $17,500 from her campaign chest. Although congressional candidates can pay themselves during their election cycle, they are restricted from drawing a salary after they are elected.
In a statement Thursday, the ethics committee's members said the review is not the same as an investigation of Tlaib, 43, who represents a Detroit district.
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22,000 drivers receive erroneous notices threatening suspension of E-ZPass accounts
PERRYVILLE, Md. — Cashless tolling at the Hatem Bridge is going through a bumpy start.
The state erroneously sent 22,000 drivers notices that they were speeding. The notices threatened drivers that, if it happened again, they'd lose their E-ZPass accounts.
It turns out, the notices were sent because of an equipment malfunction.
The notices are largely being met with anger and disbelief. Drivers claim they know they weren't speeding, and they're upset and anxious that their E-ZPass accounts could be suspended.
"I don't recall signing up for speed enforcement when I signed up for E-ZPass," said William Murr, an E-ZPass user.
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The state erroneously sent 22,000 drivers notices that they were speeding. The notices threatened drivers that, if it happened again, they'd lose their E-ZPass accounts.
It turns out, the notices were sent because of an equipment malfunction.
The notices are largely being met with anger and disbelief. Drivers claim they know they weren't speeding, and they're upset and anxious that their E-ZPass accounts could be suspended.
"I don't recall signing up for speed enforcement when I signed up for E-ZPass," said William Murr, an E-ZPass user.
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