DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Pregnant mom killed in freak accident involving deer hit by another driver
Sara Steiner and her husband were two months away from celebrating their first wedding anniversary - and five months away from welcoming their first child together - when the pregnant Nebraska mom was killed in a freak car crash involving a deer last week.
Steiner, 35, from Omaha, was driving west on Highway 36 in her 2016 Chevrolet Malibu at 7.30am on Friday when a deer came flying through her windshield and out the rear window.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the deer was first struck by Dr Mark Kusek's eastbound 2017 Tesla Model X SUV and became airborne on impact.
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Steiner, 35, from Omaha, was driving west on Highway 36 in her 2016 Chevrolet Malibu at 7.30am on Friday when a deer came flying through her windshield and out the rear window.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the deer was first struck by Dr Mark Kusek's eastbound 2017 Tesla Model X SUV and became airborne on impact.
More
Chronic pain drives millions of Americans to suicide
Chronic pain from cancer, arthritis, and other conditions drives millions of people to suicide every year, a new report warns.
The mortal implications of pain have been widely discussed in recent years since the opioid epidemic showed painkillers can drive anyone to overdose, whether intentionally or not.
But a new report by the CDC warns overdoses account for a minority of deaths among people who suffer from chronic pain.
In recent years, the number of chronic pain patients intentionally taking their own lives has soared, with most cases committed using a firearm.
The researchers warn their findings highlight that suicide prevention should be a fundamental element of care for chronic pain patients, especially when their treatment involves highly-addictive, potentially lethal drugs.
More
The mortal implications of pain have been widely discussed in recent years since the opioid epidemic showed painkillers can drive anyone to overdose, whether intentionally or not.
But a new report by the CDC warns overdoses account for a minority of deaths among people who suffer from chronic pain.
In recent years, the number of chronic pain patients intentionally taking their own lives has soared, with most cases committed using a firearm.
The researchers warn their findings highlight that suicide prevention should be a fundamental element of care for chronic pain patients, especially when their treatment involves highly-addictive, potentially lethal drugs.
More
Dennis Prager: Is the President a Bad Role Model for Children?
“Most voters say President Donald Trump is not a good role model for children, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.
"While 90 percent of voters say the president should be a good role model for kids, only 29 percent say he is while 67 percent say he is not.” — U.S. News Jan. 26, 2018
As someone who has devoted his life to writing and speaking about moral issues and the importance of character, I am regularly criticized for supporting President Trump. Democrats and Republican opponents of the president consider conservatives who support the president to be, at best, inconsistent with conservative values such as tempered speech, commitment to truth, support for European allies and free trade. And those of us who are religious conservatives and support the president are deemed hypocrites for supporting a man who has presumably committed adultery on more than a few occasions and said gross things about women in a private conversation.
Perhaps the most common objection to supporting the president is this: “He is a terrible role model for children.”
So, let me address this objection.
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"While 90 percent of voters say the president should be a good role model for kids, only 29 percent say he is while 67 percent say he is not.” — U.S. News Jan. 26, 2018
As someone who has devoted his life to writing and speaking about moral issues and the importance of character, I am regularly criticized for supporting President Trump. Democrats and Republican opponents of the president consider conservatives who support the president to be, at best, inconsistent with conservative values such as tempered speech, commitment to truth, support for European allies and free trade. And those of us who are religious conservatives and support the president are deemed hypocrites for supporting a man who has presumably committed adultery on more than a few occasions and said gross things about women in a private conversation.
Perhaps the most common objection to supporting the president is this: “He is a terrible role model for children.”
So, let me address this objection.
More
FACT CHECK: DID KAVANAUGH SUGGEST THAT CONTRACEPTIVES ARE ‘ABORTION-INDUCING DRUGS’?
Politicians, news outlets and advocacy groups claimed that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh considers contraceptives to be “abortion-inducing drugs.”
Verdict: Unsubstantiated
Remarks by Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing Thursday were taken out of context by certain organizations that did not quote him in full.
In context, Kavanaugh was stating the argument made by a religious employer in a case on contraception access. Since he used the term “abortion-inducing drugs” uncritically in his characterization of the case, some question whether Kavanaugh himself believes that birth control causes abortion.
Fact Check:
During his third day of Senate confirmation hearings, Kavanaugh was asked about a 2015 case challenging the contraceptives mandate in Obamacare. Kavanaugh wrote a dissenting opinion in the case that expressed sympathy for the Catholic organization Priests for Life.
“Can you tell this committee about that case and your opinion there?” asked Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.
“It was a technical matter of filling out a form,” Kavanaugh responded, referring to a religious exemption to the mandate. “In that case, they said filling out the form would make them complicit in the provision of the abortion-inducing drugs that they were, as a religious matter, objected to.”
Democrats seized on Kavanaugh’s use of the term “abortion-inducing drugs” in the days following.
More
Verdict: Unsubstantiated
Remarks by Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing Thursday were taken out of context by certain organizations that did not quote him in full.
In context, Kavanaugh was stating the argument made by a religious employer in a case on contraception access. Since he used the term “abortion-inducing drugs” uncritically in his characterization of the case, some question whether Kavanaugh himself believes that birth control causes abortion.
Fact Check:
During his third day of Senate confirmation hearings, Kavanaugh was asked about a 2015 case challenging the contraceptives mandate in Obamacare. Kavanaugh wrote a dissenting opinion in the case that expressed sympathy for the Catholic organization Priests for Life.
“Can you tell this committee about that case and your opinion there?” asked Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.
“It was a technical matter of filling out a form,” Kavanaugh responded, referring to a religious exemption to the mandate. “In that case, they said filling out the form would make them complicit in the provision of the abortion-inducing drugs that they were, as a religious matter, objected to.”
Democrats seized on Kavanaugh’s use of the term “abortion-inducing drugs” in the days following.
More
The secret documents Republicans want Trump to declassify this week
There is growing buzz among Hill Republicans that President Trump will act this week to declassify some key documents in the Trump-Russia investigation. Some in the GOP had hoped the documents would be released weeks ago – they've been asking with increasing urgency – but an internal White House debate apparently held that up. In any event, there are new GOP hopes that this will be the week. If the White House does act, these are the documents, some or all, that might be released:
1) More of the Carter Page FISA wiretap application. The release of a heavily-redacted version of the secret court application, and subsequent renewals, to wiretap the onetime Trump foreign policy aide has already shown that the FBI relied on the unverified Trump dossier. Now, Republicans want the president to declassify the rest of the application, or, failing that, to release about 20 key pages of it.
What is in it? Remember that fired FBI Director James Comey, in an interview with Fox News in connection with his new book, said that, yes, the dossier was included in the Page surveillance request, but that, "My recollection was, it was part of a broader mosaic of facts that were laid before the FISA judge to obtain a FISA warrant." The 20 or so unreleased pages of the Page FISA application are said to shed light on Comey's "mosaic" comment – that is, they will purportedly reveal more of the FBI's reason for wiretapping Page. So far, no one in the public knows what those reasons are.
More
1) More of the Carter Page FISA wiretap application. The release of a heavily-redacted version of the secret court application, and subsequent renewals, to wiretap the onetime Trump foreign policy aide has already shown that the FBI relied on the unverified Trump dossier. Now, Republicans want the president to declassify the rest of the application, or, failing that, to release about 20 key pages of it.
What is in it? Remember that fired FBI Director James Comey, in an interview with Fox News in connection with his new book, said that, yes, the dossier was included in the Page surveillance request, but that, "My recollection was, it was part of a broader mosaic of facts that were laid before the FISA judge to obtain a FISA warrant." The 20 or so unreleased pages of the Page FISA application are said to shed light on Comey's "mosaic" comment – that is, they will purportedly reveal more of the FBI's reason for wiretapping Page. So far, no one in the public knows what those reasons are.
More
Florida couple built drive-thru window at mobile home to sell drugs: cops
A Florida couple was arrested last week after they were caught allegedly selling drugs out of a drive-thru window they constructed out of the side of their mobile home.
William Parrish Jr. and McKenzee Dobbs of Ocala, Florida, were arrested on August 23 after investigators raided their mobile home following reports of four drug overdoses in the area, WFTV reported.
Ocala Police said the couple had turned a kitchen window into a drive-thru so customers would not have to constantly enter and exit their home, potentially drawing unwanted attention, WFTV reported. The house had signs directing people where to drive and indicated whether it was open or closed, police said.
“We were seeing some overdose incidents that were happening in this particular area, specifically at this particular location,” said Ocala Police Capt. Steven Cuppy. “There [were] some heroin sales that were going on there. Subsequently, through the investigation, we were able to determine that product was laced with fentanyl.”
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William Parrish Jr. and McKenzee Dobbs of Ocala, Florida, were arrested on August 23 after investigators raided their mobile home following reports of four drug overdoses in the area, WFTV reported.
Ocala Police said the couple had turned a kitchen window into a drive-thru so customers would not have to constantly enter and exit their home, potentially drawing unwanted attention, WFTV reported. The house had signs directing people where to drive and indicated whether it was open or closed, police said.
“We were seeing some overdose incidents that were happening in this particular area, specifically at this particular location,” said Ocala Police Capt. Steven Cuppy. “There [were] some heroin sales that were going on there. Subsequently, through the investigation, we were able to determine that product was laced with fentanyl.”
More
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/08/31/florida-couple-built-drive-thru-window-at-mobile-home-to-sell-drugs-cops.html
Al Sharpton's half-brother is arrested for 'putting a stolen license plate on his vehicle'
Just months after being hit with a capital murder charge, Rev Al Sharpton's half-brother has been arrested again while free on bond in Alabama.
Rev Kenneth Glasgow, of Dothan, was arrested Monday after authorities said he put a stolen license plate on his vehicle.
He was subsequently charged with possession of stolen property.
Glasgow was arrested while free on $75,000 bail after being charged in a March shooting death.
He was taken into custody on March 25 after the body of 23-year-old Breunia Jennings was found in a wrecked car in Alabama.
At the time, the 53-year-old was arrested alongside 26-year-old Jaime Townes.
The Dothan Police Department said in a press statement in March that officers responded to a suspicious vehicle at Stringer Street A.M.E. Church at 10.50pm on March 25.
While officers were in the area they discovered a wrecked vehicle at the intersection of Lake Street and Allen Road.
Jennings was found in the wrecked vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the head and pronounced dead at the scene.
More
Rev Kenneth Glasgow, of Dothan, was arrested Monday after authorities said he put a stolen license plate on his vehicle.
He was subsequently charged with possession of stolen property.
Glasgow was arrested while free on $75,000 bail after being charged in a March shooting death.
He was taken into custody on March 25 after the body of 23-year-old Breunia Jennings was found in a wrecked car in Alabama.
At the time, the 53-year-old was arrested alongside 26-year-old Jaime Townes.
The Dothan Police Department said in a press statement in March that officers responded to a suspicious vehicle at Stringer Street A.M.E. Church at 10.50pm on March 25.
While officers were in the area they discovered a wrecked vehicle at the intersection of Lake Street and Allen Road.
Jennings was found in the wrecked vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the head and pronounced dead at the scene.
More
Bill Bonner: America's Oil Boom Is A Fraud
Fed policy always consists of the same three mistakes...
1) Keeping interest rates too low for too long, resulting in too much debt;
2) Raising interest rates to try to gently deflate the debt bubble; and
3) Cutting rates in a panic when stocks fall and the economy goes into recession.
Well, here comes the Big Bang: Mistake #4 – rarely seen, but always regretted.
Mistake #4 is what the feds do when their backs are to the wall... when they’ve run out of Mistakes 1 through 3.
It’s a typical political trade-off. The future is sacrificed for the present. And the welfare of the public is tossed aside to buy money, power, and influence for the elite.
1) Keeping interest rates too low for too long, resulting in too much debt;
2) Raising interest rates to try to gently deflate the debt bubble; and
3) Cutting rates in a panic when stocks fall and the economy goes into recession.
Well, here comes the Big Bang: Mistake #4 – rarely seen, but always regretted.
Mistake #4 is what the feds do when their backs are to the wall... when they’ve run out of Mistakes 1 through 3.
It’s a typical political trade-off. The future is sacrificed for the present. And the welfare of the public is tossed aside to buy money, power, and influence for the elite.
Apocalypse Now!
Every debt expansion ends in a debt contraction. Stocks crash. Jobs are lost. The economy goes into reverse, correcting the mistakes of the previous boom.
Investors see their money entombed. Householders await foreclosures. The authorities scream: Apocalypse Now!
The more the feds falsify price signals in the boom, the more mistakes there are to correct. For example, this week, a report in The New York Times described the big mistake in the shale oil boom.
You’ll recall that it turned America from a big importer of oil to a major exporter... and revived much of the heartland with big fracking projects in woebegone regions of Texas and North Dakota.
The shale oil boom was even credited with having scuttled the oil market, which dropped from a high of around $130 a barrel in mid-2008 to under $30 in late 2016, thanks to so much new supply.
But guess what? The whole boom was fake. It didn’t add to wealth; it subtracted from it. Accumulated losses over the last five years tote to more than $200 billion, with $36 billion lost in the Bakken shale fields in North Dakota alone.
More
Every debt expansion ends in a debt contraction. Stocks crash. Jobs are lost. The economy goes into reverse, correcting the mistakes of the previous boom.
Investors see their money entombed. Householders await foreclosures. The authorities scream: Apocalypse Now!
The more the feds falsify price signals in the boom, the more mistakes there are to correct. For example, this week, a report in The New York Times described the big mistake in the shale oil boom.
You’ll recall that it turned America from a big importer of oil to a major exporter... and revived much of the heartland with big fracking projects in woebegone regions of Texas and North Dakota.
The shale oil boom was even credited with having scuttled the oil market, which dropped from a high of around $130 a barrel in mid-2008 to under $30 in late 2016, thanks to so much new supply.
But guess what? The whole boom was fake. It didn’t add to wealth; it subtracted from it. Accumulated losses over the last five years tote to more than $200 billion, with $36 billion lost in the Bakken shale fields in North Dakota alone.
More
Alex Trebek debuts new look for 'Jeopardy!' premiere
The “Jeopardy!” trivia game show threw viewers off kilter when its host, Alex Trebek, revealed a new bearded look Monday.
Trebek showed off his new look on Twitter and then in an Instagram video before Monday’s premiere episode.
“It’s time to embark upon a magical journey into Season 35!” the Instagram description read.
Then on the season debut, he addressed the “hairy” issue.
“No need to inquire how I spent my summer vacation,” Trebek said. “Things got a little out of hand.”
The hashtag #Trebeard also appeared on social media with comments like “beard on” and “#keepthebeard.”
More
Trebek showed off his new look on Twitter and then in an Instagram video before Monday’s premiere episode.
“It’s time to embark upon a magical journey into Season 35!” the Instagram description read.
Then on the season debut, he addressed the “hairy” issue.
“No need to inquire how I spent my summer vacation,” Trebek said. “Things got a little out of hand.”
The hashtag #Trebeard also appeared on social media with comments like “beard on” and “#keepthebeard.”
More
Second monkeypox case recorded in England
A second case of monkeypox was reportedly discovered in England, just days after the first-ever case in the country was confirmed in Cornwall.
Both patients are believed to have recently visited Nigeria, but the two cases appear unrelated, the Independent reported.
Monkeypox is a rare disease that does not spread easily between people. It’s considered mild, and typically occurs in remote parts of central and west Africa, according to the World Health Organization. The virus lives in animals but can be transmitted to humans. In 2017 Nigeria experienced its first outbreak of the viral illness since 1978, according to WHO.
“It is likely that monkeypox continues to circulate in Nigeria and could therefore affect travelers who are returning from this part of the world, however, it is very unusual to see two cases in such a relatively short space of time,” Dr. Nick Phin, deputy director of Public Health England’s National Infection Service, said, according the Independent.
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Both patients are believed to have recently visited Nigeria, but the two cases appear unrelated, the Independent reported.
Monkeypox is a rare disease that does not spread easily between people. It’s considered mild, and typically occurs in remote parts of central and west Africa, according to the World Health Organization. The virus lives in animals but can be transmitted to humans. In 2017 Nigeria experienced its first outbreak of the viral illness since 1978, according to WHO.
“It is likely that monkeypox continues to circulate in Nigeria and could therefore affect travelers who are returning from this part of the world, however, it is very unusual to see two cases in such a relatively short space of time,” Dr. Nick Phin, deputy director of Public Health England’s National Infection Service, said, according the Independent.
More
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/09/11/second-monkeypox-case-recorded-in-england-report.html
Discovery of dog saves Oregon man from sex-crime conviction
The discovery of a black Lab named Lucy led to the unravelling of a criminal case Monday against an Oregon man who had begun serving a 50-year prison sentence.
Joshua Horner, a plumber from the central Oregon town of Redmond, was convicted on April 12, 2017, of sexual abuse of a minor.
In the trial, the complainant testified Horner had threatened to shoot her animals if she went to the police about the alleged molestation, and said she saw him shoot her dog, killing it, to make his point.
Six months after a jury convicted Horner in a verdict that was not unanimous, he asked the Oregon Innocence Project for help. The group took up his case.
When the group raised concerns in April about the case with Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel, he agreed to work with them.
More
Joshua Horner, a plumber from the central Oregon town of Redmond, was convicted on April 12, 2017, of sexual abuse of a minor.
In the trial, the complainant testified Horner had threatened to shoot her animals if she went to the police about the alleged molestation, and said she saw him shoot her dog, killing it, to make his point.
Six months after a jury convicted Horner in a verdict that was not unanimous, he asked the Oregon Innocence Project for help. The group took up his case.
When the group raised concerns in April about the case with Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel, he agreed to work with them.
More
Hurricane Florence Tracking South
OCEAN CITY, MD – (September 12, 2018): Ocean City emergency management officials are continuing to monitor Hurricane Florence, which is now showing a southern track, steering farther away from the Maryland coastline. While emergency management officials watch closely in the event of changes to the storm’s path, Ocean City continues to be open for business. OC Bikefest events, including the ticketed concerts, have been moved to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center and will play as scheduled. Access to the event’s Rommel Harley-Davidson and other select vendors is free and open to the public.
Although Ocean City is not expected to experience tropical storm force wind or heavy rainfall, property owners should still secure loose, lightweight objects including patio furniture and garbage cans. It is also advised to secure water vessels and anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (such as propane tanks).
Ocean City will begin to experience lingering effects of the weakening category three storm, including wind, rain and tidal flooding, as early as Thursday night, September 13, and into Saturday, September 15. With minor flooding in the downtown area predicted during high tide cycles, emergency management officials are reminding residents and visitors not to drive through flood waters. Also, for residents and property owners in flood-prone zones, remember to protect your property by moving valuables to higher levels and keep important documents in a waterproof container.
For additional information on OC Bikefest, please visit www.ocbikefest.com. For continued updates on weather and Hurricane Florence, please visit https://www.weather.gov/akq/.
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The Town of Ocean City’s Emergency Management personnel works closely with local and state representatives to provide citizens with timely, accurate and essential information before, during and after the storm. To begin preparing, citizens should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan for potential relocation during a flooding event. For more information regarding preparedness, please visit: http://www.ready.gov.
3 p.m. – Florence #3 FINAL
Although Ocean City is not expected to experience tropical storm force wind or heavy rainfall, property owners should still secure loose, lightweight objects including patio furniture and garbage cans. It is also advised to secure water vessels and anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (such as propane tanks).
Ocean City will begin to experience lingering effects of the weakening category three storm, including wind, rain and tidal flooding, as early as Thursday night, September 13, and into Saturday, September 15. With minor flooding in the downtown area predicted during high tide cycles, emergency management officials are reminding residents and visitors not to drive through flood waters. Also, for residents and property owners in flood-prone zones, remember to protect your property by moving valuables to higher levels and keep important documents in a waterproof container.
For additional information on OC Bikefest, please visit www.ocbikefest.com. For continued updates on weather and Hurricane Florence, please visit https://www.weather.gov/akq/.
###
The Town of Ocean City’s Emergency Management personnel works closely with local and state representatives to provide citizens with timely, accurate and essential information before, during and after the storm. To begin preparing, citizens should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan for potential relocation during a flooding event. For more information regarding preparedness, please visit: http://www.ready.gov.
3 p.m. – Florence #3 FINAL
SPD Press Release 9-12-18 (Death Investigation)
On September 11, 2018, at approximately 12:35 p.m., Officers of the Salisbury Police Department responded to the area of South Division Street and Market Street, for a report of an adult male who was found deceased in the river. An area business employee called 911 after discovering the body.
Further investigation revealed that the victim was found in the river near South Division Street and Market Street. Detectives have identified the victim as 23 year old Maurice Black Pinkett. Detectives are still working to determine how the victim entered the water. At this time, there are no overt signs of trauma to indicate the cause of death. The body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. No further details are available at this time.
At the time of his death, Mr. Pinkett was wearing red and black colored sweatpants and black sneakers. Mr. Pinkett is 5’-11” tall and weighs 165 pounds. Detectives are requesting anyone who may have seen Mr. Pinkett walking in the area of South Division Street and Market Street or the general downtown area, between September 10 and September 11, 2018 to contact the Salisbury Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 833-SBY-CITY or Crime Solvers (410)548-1776.
Victim
Maurice Black Pinkett, 23 years of age, Salisbury, MD
Delmar Elementary Closed Tomorrow Thursday, September 13th.
"Good afternoon Bobcat families, this is Principal Bryson with an important status announcement for our school for tomorrow, Thursday, September 13th. Delmar Elementary School will be closed on Thursday for students and staff. This closure is a result of the need to repair a transformer serving part of our facility. The repairs are necessary due to yesterday’s lightning strike at the school. Out of an abundance of caution, we will not have students or staff in the building while these repairs take place. We look forward to seeing everyone back at Delmar Elementary on Friday, September 14th, to finish up this week of school. Thank you."
Staff members have been informed. Delmar Elementary staff will work off-site on Thursday, at the James M. Bennett Auditorium in Salisbury.
A note for families whose children usually catch the shuttle at Delmar Elementary to go to the North Salisbury Elementary Magnet Program: On Thursday morning, those students will be dropped off at Delmar Middle and High to catch the shuttle; a Delmar Elementary administrator will be there to assist. In the afternoon, these Delmar students will ride the shuttle from North Salisbury School back to Delmar Middle and High, where a DES administrator will again be on hand to make sure students get to the right places to get home.
Nate Jackson: Are You Better Off Now Than Two Years Ago?
A GOP bill to make tax cuts permanent is a great reminder that the right policies benefit everyone.
Remember that massive tax cut Republicans passed last year without a single Democrat vote – the one which continues to fuel the current economic boom? Well, the GOP has a great strategy for reminding voters how much almost every American enjoys having more money in their paychecks — a newly announced House bill to make those tax cuts permanent.
For the Leftmedia’s spin, we turn to Bloomberg: “The legislation — released as Republicans are at risk of losing their majority in the House — is seen as a last-ditch effort by GOP lawmakers to convince voters of the benefits of their new tax code. Polls consistently show less than half of Americans approve of the tax cut.”
Yes, it’s true that the Republican strategy is a midterm play for votes, and it’s unlikely to become law just yet. And yes, it’s also true that polls indicate voters aren’t as keen as they should be on those tax cuts.
Two observations: First, President Donald Trump has been remarkably effective in using the Democrats’ strategy against them, and the House GOP is taking a page from that same playbook. Good. Second, the Democrats’ class-warfare messaging, amplified by the propagandists of their Leftmedia super PAC, has convinced a significant number of Americans that Republican tax cuts were really “only for the rich.” Midterms are historically tough for the president’s party and Democrats have owned a lead in the “generic ballot” for months, so this misconception is hardly surprising.
Digging deeper, however, the main areas where the tax cuts are unpopular are blue states with high taxes, leaving voters unhappy with a reduced federal deduction for state and local taxes. In other words, Democrats are telling voters to blame Republicans for high taxes imposed by Democrats. Nice work if you can get it.
More
Remember that massive tax cut Republicans passed last year without a single Democrat vote – the one which continues to fuel the current economic boom? Well, the GOP has a great strategy for reminding voters how much almost every American enjoys having more money in their paychecks — a newly announced House bill to make those tax cuts permanent.
For the Leftmedia’s spin, we turn to Bloomberg: “The legislation — released as Republicans are at risk of losing their majority in the House — is seen as a last-ditch effort by GOP lawmakers to convince voters of the benefits of their new tax code. Polls consistently show less than half of Americans approve of the tax cut.”
Yes, it’s true that the Republican strategy is a midterm play for votes, and it’s unlikely to become law just yet. And yes, it’s also true that polls indicate voters aren’t as keen as they should be on those tax cuts.
Two observations: First, President Donald Trump has been remarkably effective in using the Democrats’ strategy against them, and the House GOP is taking a page from that same playbook. Good. Second, the Democrats’ class-warfare messaging, amplified by the propagandists of their Leftmedia super PAC, has convinced a significant number of Americans that Republican tax cuts were really “only for the rich.” Midterms are historically tough for the president’s party and Democrats have owned a lead in the “generic ballot” for months, so this misconception is hardly surprising.
Digging deeper, however, the main areas where the tax cuts are unpopular are blue states with high taxes, leaving voters unhappy with a reduced federal deduction for state and local taxes. In other words, Democrats are telling voters to blame Republicans for high taxes imposed by Democrats. Nice work if you can get it.
More
Illegal immigrants cited in theft of 39 million Social Security numbers
Nearly 40 million Social Security numbers have been stolen and used by illegal immigrants and others to get work, according to agency records obtained by an immigration reform group.
The Immigration Reform Law Institute said that from 2012 to 2016 there were “39 million instances where names and Social Security numbers on W-2 tax forms did not match the corresponding Social Security records.”
The group said that there is a “thriving black market” used by illegal immigrants to get Social Security numbers needed to get a job.
Their report draws attention to a move by former President Barack Obama to stop sending so-called “no match” letters to employers notifying them that numbers used by employees on the wage forms do not match their identity.
The change followed Obama’s decision to approve amnesty for some 700,000 younger immigrants let into the U.S. under his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Some of those have been dubbed “dreamers.”
More here
The Immigration Reform Law Institute said that from 2012 to 2016 there were “39 million instances where names and Social Security numbers on W-2 tax forms did not match the corresponding Social Security records.”
The group said that there is a “thriving black market” used by illegal immigrants to get Social Security numbers needed to get a job.
Their report draws attention to a move by former President Barack Obama to stop sending so-called “no match” letters to employers notifying them that numbers used by employees on the wage forms do not match their identity.
The change followed Obama’s decision to approve amnesty for some 700,000 younger immigrants let into the U.S. under his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Some of those have been dubbed “dreamers.”
More here
Chinese Officials Burn Bibles, Close Churches
The Chinese government’s campaign to “Sinicize” organized religion – to make religion completely subordinate to the Communist Party – grew more aggressive this year and featured the destruction of Bibles, crosses, and entire churches.
Religious freedom activists call it the worst crackdown on Christianity since religious freedom was nominally granted by the 1982 Chinese constitution.
A Fox News report on Monday linked the crackdown with Communist Party leader Xi Jinping’s ascension to dictatorial power and the fulfillment of worst-case fears expressed by underground Christian leaders when Beijing began using government-controlled churches to co-opt the religion:
Activists reportedly filmed footage of what appeared to be piles of burning bibles and forms declaring that the signatories had rejected their faith. The authorities allegedly forced the believers to sign the forms or risk being expelled from school or losing welfare benefits.
A Christian Pastor in the Henan city of Nanyang, whose name was identified out of fear of retaliation by the authorities, reportedly confirmed that crosses, bibles, and furniture were burned during a raid on his church on Sept. 5.
More
Religious freedom activists call it the worst crackdown on Christianity since religious freedom was nominally granted by the 1982 Chinese constitution.
A Fox News report on Monday linked the crackdown with Communist Party leader Xi Jinping’s ascension to dictatorial power and the fulfillment of worst-case fears expressed by underground Christian leaders when Beijing began using government-controlled churches to co-opt the religion:
Activists reportedly filmed footage of what appeared to be piles of burning bibles and forms declaring that the signatories had rejected their faith. The authorities allegedly forced the believers to sign the forms or risk being expelled from school or losing welfare benefits.
A Christian Pastor in the Henan city of Nanyang, whose name was identified out of fear of retaliation by the authorities, reportedly confirmed that crosses, bibles, and furniture were burned during a raid on his church on Sept. 5.
More
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