HELSINKI (Reuters) - Standing side-by-side with Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday refused to blame the Russian leader for meddling in the U.S. 2016 election, casting doubt on the findings of his own intelligence agencies and sparking a storm of criticism at home.
On a day when he faced pressure from critics, allied countries and even his own staff to take a tough line, Trump spoke not a single disparaging word in public about Moscow on any of the issues that have brought relations between the two powers to the lowest ebb since the Cold War.
Instead, he denounced the “stupidity” of his own country’s policy, especially the decision to investigate election interference following the conclusions drawn by U.S. intelligence agencies. A prosecutor announced an indictment three days ago of Russian spies for hacking into Democratic Party networks.
Trump’s handling of a joint news conference in Helsinki stirred a wave of condemnation in the United States, where the White House has struggled for months to dispel a suggestion that Trump was unwilling to stand up to Putin.
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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
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
HILLARY CLINTON: TRUMP, GOP ‘TRYING TO RIP THE HEART OUT OF AMERICA’
President’s policies to make America great again are ‘organized cruelty,’ she says
Hillary Clinton had strong words for the Trump administration and Republicans on Friday while addressing the American Federation of Teachers, saying the fundamental rights of Americans are what’s at stake this November.
Speaking at the labor union’s conference in Pittsburgh, Mrs. Clinton slammed the administration’s separations of families at the border as inhumane and indecent.
“I believe with all my heart that the test of any society is how we treat the most vulnerable among us, particularly our youngest, our oldest, our people with disabilities, and right now, my friends, our country is failing that test,” she said. “We have never seen such organized cruelty, disdain and contempt for those values.
“People used to hide the way they felt,” she lamented. “They wouldn’t come right out and say what they were thinking, which was good, that’s part of the process of civilization. Boy, not today.”
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Hillary Clinton had strong words for the Trump administration and Republicans on Friday while addressing the American Federation of Teachers, saying the fundamental rights of Americans are what’s at stake this November.
Speaking at the labor union’s conference in Pittsburgh, Mrs. Clinton slammed the administration’s separations of families at the border as inhumane and indecent.
“I believe with all my heart that the test of any society is how we treat the most vulnerable among us, particularly our youngest, our oldest, our people with disabilities, and right now, my friends, our country is failing that test,” she said. “We have never seen such organized cruelty, disdain and contempt for those values.
“People used to hide the way they felt,” she lamented. “They wouldn’t come right out and say what they were thinking, which was good, that’s part of the process of civilization. Boy, not today.”
Read more
Putin eats Trump's lunch in Helsinki -- This is no way to win against Russia
There was nothing inherently wrong with Trump’s summit with Putin. In fact, I would argue that in many cases, some of the best diplomacy comes through face-to-face meetings with adversaries. Still, the meeting was highly problematic in how little Trump delivered on the serious issues surrounding Vladimir Putin and Russia’s place in the modern world.
At their joint press conference, President Putin was calculated and in control. Conversely, President Trump seemed to lack authority, praising Putin when he should have been condemning him, and ceding opportunities to confront Putin on his most egregious actions of the past decade – including meddling in the 2016 election and the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.
During Putin and Trump’s prepared remarks, it was rather obvious who had led the discussion. While President Putin laid out a clear framework for advancing Russian interests within the context of U.S.-Russia relations, Trump appeared to have had little plan, alternating between vague promises of improving our relationship with Russia and spending too much time on U.S. domestic affairs, notably the 2016 presidential election. Instead of holding Putin accountable for his election interference, he referenced his defeat of Hillary Clinton.
At their joint press conference, President Putin was calculated and in control. Conversely, President Trump seemed to lack authority, praising Putin when he should have been condemning him, and ceding opportunities to confront Putin on his most egregious actions of the past decade – including meddling in the 2016 election and the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.
During Putin and Trump’s prepared remarks, it was rather obvious who had led the discussion. While President Putin laid out a clear framework for advancing Russian interests within the context of U.S.-Russia relations, Trump appeared to have had little plan, alternating between vague promises of improving our relationship with Russia and spending too much time on U.S. domestic affairs, notably the 2016 presidential election. Instead of holding Putin accountable for his election interference, he referenced his defeat of Hillary Clinton.
For a sitting U.S. president to say publicly that he believes a foreign leader over his own intelligence team is shocking and admonishable. At a time when our democracy faces grave threats, it is deeply troubling that the president would side with the very country who attacked us.
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Big Pharma & The Rise Of Gangster Capitalism
$8 per vial in competing developed-world nations and $38,892 in the U.S. That says it all.
Thanks to decades of gangster films, we all know how gangster capitalism works: the cost of "protection" goes up whenever the gangster wants to increase revenues, any competition is snuffed out, and "customer demand" is jacked up by any means available-- addiction, for example.
This perfectly describes the pharmaceutical industry and every other cartel in America. You might have read about the price increase in Acthar gel, a medication to treat Infantile Spasms. (via J.F., M.D., who alerted me to the repricing of this medication from $40 in 2001 to the current price of $38,892.)
The compound first received approval in 1950, and various branded versions have been approved in recent years. Let's be clear: this medication did not require billions of dollars in research and development, or decades of testing to obtain FDA approval; it's been approved for use for the past 68 years.
Yes, you read that correctly: a medication that's been in use for 68 years went from $40 a dose in 2001 to $38,892 today. Don't you love the pricing? Not a round 38 grand, but $38,892. You gotta love these gangsters!
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Thanks to decades of gangster films, we all know how gangster capitalism works: the cost of "protection" goes up whenever the gangster wants to increase revenues, any competition is snuffed out, and "customer demand" is jacked up by any means available-- addiction, for example.
This perfectly describes the pharmaceutical industry and every other cartel in America. You might have read about the price increase in Acthar gel, a medication to treat Infantile Spasms. (via J.F., M.D., who alerted me to the repricing of this medication from $40 in 2001 to the current price of $38,892.)
The compound first received approval in 1950, and various branded versions have been approved in recent years. Let's be clear: this medication did not require billions of dollars in research and development, or decades of testing to obtain FDA approval; it's been approved for use for the past 68 years.
Yes, you read that correctly: a medication that's been in use for 68 years went from $40 a dose in 2001 to $38,892 today. Don't you love the pricing? Not a round 38 grand, but $38,892. You gotta love these gangsters!
More
ONE-FIFTH OF NORTH CAROLINA STUDENTS AREN’T GOING TO TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Almost 20 percent of K-12 students in North Carolina are not attending traditional public schools.
Enrollment in the state’s traditional public schools has fallen during the past few years as more and more students attend private, charter or home schools, The News & Observer reported Friday. North Carolina’s proportion of students enrolled in traditional public schools now sits at 80.8 percent.
“Families are more attuned to and used to having choices at their fingertips, and that is entering education as well,” Parents For Educational Freedom Interim President Brian Jodice said. “We’re no longer in this mindset that because I live at this address or this ZIP code I have to attend this particular school that works for many students but doesn’t have to be the only choice.”
The National Center for Education Statistics anticipated that out of the 3.6 million students expected to graduate from high school in 2018, 3.3 million graduates would receive their degrees from public high schools. This proportion is over 10 percent higher than the aforementioned North Carolina rate.
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Enrollment in the state’s traditional public schools has fallen during the past few years as more and more students attend private, charter or home schools, The News & Observer reported Friday. North Carolina’s proportion of students enrolled in traditional public schools now sits at 80.8 percent.
“Families are more attuned to and used to having choices at their fingertips, and that is entering education as well,” Parents For Educational Freedom Interim President Brian Jodice said. “We’re no longer in this mindset that because I live at this address or this ZIP code I have to attend this particular school that works for many students but doesn’t have to be the only choice.”
The National Center for Education Statistics anticipated that out of the 3.6 million students expected to graduate from high school in 2018, 3.3 million graduates would receive their degrees from public high schools. This proportion is over 10 percent higher than the aforementioned North Carolina rate.
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ICE Agents Bust Hundreds of Ilegal Aliens, Smugglers in Massive Sting Operation
Eighteen human smugglers and 117 illegal aliens were detained in raids on safe houses in El Paso, Texas, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The raids were conducted last month but were announced by ICE in a statement on Friday.
“Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and agents with U.S. Border Patrol arrested 18 alien smugglers and seized cash, vehicles and more than 1,000 lbs. of marijuana last month in a joint effort,” the statement read.
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The raids were conducted last month but were announced by ICE in a statement on Friday.
“Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and agents with U.S. Border Patrol arrested 18 alien smugglers and seized cash, vehicles and more than 1,000 lbs. of marijuana last month in a joint effort,” the statement read.
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Navy OKs Ponytails, Locks and Other Hairstyles for Female Sailors
Female sailors can soon sport several new hairstyles including locks, ponytails and options that fall below the collar in certain uniforms, according to new approved regulations announced Tuesday.
Lock, or loc, hairstyles and buns that span the width of the back of a female sailor's head will now be authorized for women in all uniforms. Ponytails will be OK in service, working or physical-training uniforms -- provided there's no operational safety concern. And hairstyles that hit beneath shirt, dress or jacket collars will be approved in dinner-dress uniforms.
The changes were approved by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Bob Burke, and announced by six members of a working group during a Navy Facebook Live event.
Richardson credited the working group, which took feedback from the fleet, with coming up with and presenting the new grooming recommendations.
"We just demonstrated that a recommendation can make things happen, so I want to hear from you," he said.
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Lock, or loc, hairstyles and buns that span the width of the back of a female sailor's head will now be authorized for women in all uniforms. Ponytails will be OK in service, working or physical-training uniforms -- provided there's no operational safety concern. And hairstyles that hit beneath shirt, dress or jacket collars will be approved in dinner-dress uniforms.
The changes were approved by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Bob Burke, and announced by six members of a working group during a Navy Facebook Live event.
Richardson credited the working group, which took feedback from the fleet, with coming up with and presenting the new grooming recommendations.
"We just demonstrated that a recommendation can make things happen, so I want to hear from you," he said.
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Going to Church Could Help You Live Longer
Good news for fans of the Good News (and other religions, of course): a new study says that religious people live longer.
People who are religious live an average of four years longer than those who have no ties to religion, a study published Wednesday in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science. The researchers analyzed the obituaries of more than 1,000 people around the country, and adjusted for other factors that can affect lifespan, including the gender and marital status of the deceased.
Even for those whose eyes are on something beyond this world, a little more time here with loved ones is a good thing, right? Religious practice seems to be a solid determining factor for some extra years:
“Religious affiliation had nearly as strong an effect on longevity as gender does, which is a matter of years of life,” said Laura Wallace, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in psychology at The Ohio State University.
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People who are religious live an average of four years longer than those who have no ties to religion, a study published Wednesday in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science. The researchers analyzed the obituaries of more than 1,000 people around the country, and adjusted for other factors that can affect lifespan, including the gender and marital status of the deceased.
Even for those whose eyes are on something beyond this world, a little more time here with loved ones is a good thing, right? Religious practice seems to be a solid determining factor for some extra years:
“Religious affiliation had nearly as strong an effect on longevity as gender does, which is a matter of years of life,” said Laura Wallace, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in psychology at The Ohio State University.
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Homeless Sex Offender Notification
Purchased Friday. Totaled Saturday 300k car
Purchased Friday. Totaled Saturday. This McLaren 720S, costing around $300,000, was destroyed today in Great Falls because of speed. The driver was taken to the hospital with thankfully only non-life threatening injuries. A reminder to slow down, or it could cost you.
ICE: SAN DIEGO CHAINSAW ATTACKER IS ILLEGAL ALIEN WHO’S BEEN DEPORTED 11 TIMES
Tried to kill his wife in front of children, according to allegations
A California man who allegedly attacked his wife with a chainsaw is an illegal alien who has been deported at least 11 times since 2005, immigration officials confirmed Friday.
Alejandro Alvarez Villegas, 32, was arrested Thursday in Chula Vista, California, a suburb of San Diego, on allegations that he tried to kill his wife with a chainsaw in front of their three children.
Alvarez has a long record of being deported and returning to the U.S., according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Department of Homeland Security databases indicate Mr. Alvarez-Villegas is a serial immigration violator who has been removed from the United States 11 times since 2005,” an ICE spokesperson said, according to NBC7 News in San Diego.
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A California man who allegedly attacked his wife with a chainsaw is an illegal alien who has been deported at least 11 times since 2005, immigration officials confirmed Friday.
Alejandro Alvarez Villegas, 32, was arrested Thursday in Chula Vista, California, a suburb of San Diego, on allegations that he tried to kill his wife with a chainsaw in front of their three children.
Alvarez has a long record of being deported and returning to the U.S., according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Department of Homeland Security databases indicate Mr. Alvarez-Villegas is a serial immigration violator who has been removed from the United States 11 times since 2005,” an ICE spokesperson said, according to NBC7 News in San Diego.
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Rand Paul: Russia Is Always Going To Meddle In Our Elections, Just Like We’re Going To Meddle In Theirs
Russia meddled in the 2016 election in part as a retaliation against the U.S. influencing elections in eastern Europe, Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul said Sunday.
“I think really we mistake our response if we think it’s about accountability from the Russians,” Paul told Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union. “They are going to spy on us, do spy on us. They are going to interfere in our elections, we also do the same,” Paul said.
The comments, which come just a day before President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, show a realism that neither staunch Republicans or Democrats discuss, which is that Russia attempted various hacking and disinformation campaigns surrounding the 2016 election to discredit former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“I would say it’s not morally equivalent,” Paul said of Russia’s election meddling relating to America’s campaigns to influence foreign elections. “But I think in [Russia’s] mind it is. It’s important to know in your adversary’s mind the way they perceive thing. They react to our interference in their elections and one of the reasons they didn’t like Hillary Clinton, they found her responsible for some of the activity by the U.S. in their elections under the [Former President Barack] Obama administration,” Paul said.
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“I think really we mistake our response if we think it’s about accountability from the Russians,” Paul told Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union. “They are going to spy on us, do spy on us. They are going to interfere in our elections, we also do the same,” Paul said.
The comments, which come just a day before President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, show a realism that neither staunch Republicans or Democrats discuss, which is that Russia attempted various hacking and disinformation campaigns surrounding the 2016 election to discredit former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“I would say it’s not morally equivalent,” Paul said of Russia’s election meddling relating to America’s campaigns to influence foreign elections. “But I think in [Russia’s] mind it is. It’s important to know in your adversary’s mind the way they perceive thing. They react to our interference in their elections and one of the reasons they didn’t like Hillary Clinton, they found her responsible for some of the activity by the U.S. in their elections under the [Former President Barack] Obama administration,” Paul said.
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HuffPost Germany Writer Calls For Replacing Germans With Migrants to Stop Populism
Leftist wants to abolish ethnic Germans to create “diverse” utopia
A writer for Huffington Post Germany has openly called for German citizens to be replaced with foreign migrants in order to stop the rise of populism.
The article, which was posted on Monday, is entitled Repeople us! Why the German people should be abolished (translation) .
Writer Veit Lindner asserts that to stop the momentum of the “new right,” “it would actually be best to just replace” the German people with foreigners.
“Attention, Germans! Fall in for comprehensive repeopling!” he writes, before going on to welcome, “Black, brown, yellow, white, Asians and Arabs, Africans, you people from America, India, people of all faiths – come and help us! Stream in and repeople us, but thoroughly!”
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A writer for Huffington Post Germany has openly called for German citizens to be replaced with foreign migrants in order to stop the rise of populism.
The article, which was posted on Monday, is entitled Repeople us! Why the German people should be abolished (translation) .
Writer Veit Lindner asserts that to stop the momentum of the “new right,” “it would actually be best to just replace” the German people with foreigners.
“Attention, Germans! Fall in for comprehensive repeopling!” he writes, before going on to welcome, “Black, brown, yellow, white, Asians and Arabs, Africans, you people from America, India, people of all faiths – come and help us! Stream in and repeople us, but thoroughly!”
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Monday, July 16, 2018
New Study Proves the FDA Is Actively Suppressing Information About the Harmful Effects of Gardasil
Young, healthy women who experience amenorrhea, ovarian failure, and infertility have likely been damaged by Merck’s HPV vaccine. A new study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health analyzed data on pregnancy outcomes, comparing women who received an HPV vaccine with those who did not. The data analysis is titled, “A lowered probability of pregnancy in females in the USA aged 25 who received a human papillomavirus vaccine injection.”
The study, uninfluenced by pharmaceutical money, analyzed data on 8 million women aged 25-29 living in the U.S. from 2007 and 2014. According to the analysis, conception rates would have fallen by 2 million if 100 percent of the females in the study would have received the HPV vaccine. The study warns that the HPV vaccine has a negative influence on fertility and more research is “warranted.”
Despite mounting evidence of harm, Merck seeks to fast-track Gardasil on new age group
Despite these grave concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently fast tracking the process by which the Gardasil-9 is approved for use in women and men ages 27 to 45. Merck’s application for approval has been granted priority review, and is scheduled for an approval date of October 6, 2018. So, much important information about Gardasil’s risks will be suppressed as the FDA moves quickly on behalf of Merck’s business interests.
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The study, uninfluenced by pharmaceutical money, analyzed data on 8 million women aged 25-29 living in the U.S. from 2007 and 2014. According to the analysis, conception rates would have fallen by 2 million if 100 percent of the females in the study would have received the HPV vaccine. The study warns that the HPV vaccine has a negative influence on fertility and more research is “warranted.”
Despite mounting evidence of harm, Merck seeks to fast-track Gardasil on new age group
Despite these grave concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently fast tracking the process by which the Gardasil-9 is approved for use in women and men ages 27 to 45. Merck’s application for approval has been granted priority review, and is scheduled for an approval date of October 6, 2018. So, much important information about Gardasil’s risks will be suppressed as the FDA moves quickly on behalf of Merck’s business interests.
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Trump On Putin Meeting: Nothing Will Be ‘Good Enough’ For Dems, Establishment Media
President Trump tweeted Sunday about his excitement for the upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and he also went after the media for their criticism.
The president said, “Unfortunately, no matter how well I do at the Summit, if I was given the great city of Moscow as retribution for all of the sins and evils committed by Russia” it still wouldn’t be enough, according to the media.
He continued his strong rhetoric about the establishment media, calling them the “enemy of the people.”
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He continued his strong rhetoric about the establishment media, calling them the “enemy of the people.”
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Ex-Black Panther leader to get $2.2M from Oakland after city councilwoman's attack
A former leader of the Black Panther Party will receive $2.2 million from the city of Oakland, Calif., to settle a 2015 case in which she was physically attacked by a city councilwoman.
The settlement, equivalent to the salaries of about 30 entry-level police officers, consists of $1.2 million in damages for Elaine Brown and a similar fee for her lawyers. Oakland’s city council approved the settlement Tuesday without any debate, the San Francisco Chroniclereported.
The payout, to be paid from the city’s coffers, comes after more than two years of legal battles, in which the city rejected the ex-Black Panther leader’s request for $1 million following her confrontation with councilwoman Desley Brooks.
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The settlement, equivalent to the salaries of about 30 entry-level police officers, consists of $1.2 million in damages for Elaine Brown and a similar fee for her lawyers. Oakland’s city council approved the settlement Tuesday without any debate, the San Francisco Chroniclereported.
The payout, to be paid from the city’s coffers, comes after more than two years of legal battles, in which the city rejected the ex-Black Panther leader’s request for $1 million following her confrontation with councilwoman Desley Brooks.
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http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/07/12/ex-black-panther-leader-to-get-2-2m-from-oakland-after-city-councilwomans-attack.html
The Racism of the Alleged Affronted
At the Consortium of Higher Education for LGBT Resource Professionals, one learns that at an upcoming webinar, "queer and trans people of color are welcome to join and engage in or observe the space. However, we do want to provide a content warning that in these spaces we hope white folks will process our thoughts and behaviors in a learning environment so we can address them and discuss and [sic] tactics of decentering whiteness."
The topic is "How our institutions center whiteness as a dominant narrative and how we can decenter whiteness at an organizational level. Facilitators: Jesse Beal, they/them, Director, Women's and Gender Center, Amherst College" and "Kayla Lisenby, they/them or she/her, Assistant Director, LGBTQ Center, Wake Forest University."
Under the social justice rubric, being born white makes one evil, plain and simple. In fact, according to Dr. Kathy Obear, one can either be a good white ally or a bad one. Thus, everything is seen through the prism of race.
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The topic is "How our institutions center whiteness as a dominant narrative and how we can decenter whiteness at an organizational level. Facilitators: Jesse Beal, they/them, Director, Women's and Gender Center, Amherst College" and "Kayla Lisenby, they/them or she/her, Assistant Director, LGBTQ Center, Wake Forest University."
Under the social justice rubric, being born white makes one evil, plain and simple. In fact, according to Dr. Kathy Obear, one can either be a good white ally or a bad one. Thus, everything is seen through the prism of race.
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Public university seeking 'practitioner of feminist activism' professor
A job posting at Portland State University is raising some eyebrows among pro-lifers.
The public research university is seeking to hire a professor to teach classes on “reproductive justice” and “social justice activism,” but the school says the instructor is not required to support abortion, Campus Reform reported.
“We know that phrases like ‘abortion’ are not as popular, so pro-choice groups often call their work reproductive justice or say it is about reproductive health to mask the true aim,” Students for Life spokesman Matt Lamb told the campus watchdog organization.
But the Department Chair, Windston Grady-Willis, told Fox News that “the job posting does not indicate that applicants must have viewpoints of any kind.”
He added that none of the positions in the department "require applicants to hold certain viewpoints as a condition of hiring." Something he said would violate academic freedom.
“There is no mention of abortion in the posting. That's why it says reproductive justice, not abortion rights,” university spokesman Christopher Broderick said.
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The public research university is seeking to hire a professor to teach classes on “reproductive justice” and “social justice activism,” but the school says the instructor is not required to support abortion, Campus Reform reported.
“We know that phrases like ‘abortion’ are not as popular, so pro-choice groups often call their work reproductive justice or say it is about reproductive health to mask the true aim,” Students for Life spokesman Matt Lamb told the campus watchdog organization.
But the Department Chair, Windston Grady-Willis, told Fox News that “the job posting does not indicate that applicants must have viewpoints of any kind.”
He added that none of the positions in the department "require applicants to hold certain viewpoints as a condition of hiring." Something he said would violate academic freedom.
“There is no mention of abortion in the posting. That's why it says reproductive justice, not abortion rights,” university spokesman Christopher Broderick said.
More
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/07/11/public-university-seeking-practitioner-feminist-activism-professor.html
Officials: Russian firm used in Maryland election systems
A vendor that provides key services for Maryland elections has been acquired by a parent company with links to a Russian oligarch, state officials said Friday after a briefing a day earlier from the FBI.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch made the announcement at a news conference in the Maryland State House, a gathering that included staff members of Gov. Larry Hogan.
"The FBI conveyed to us that there is no criminal activity that they've seen," Busch said. "They believe that the system that we have has not been breached."
In a letter Friday, Hogan, Busch and Miller asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for technical assistance to evaluate the network used by the elections board.
"It is with concern that I learned that information provided to the Maryland State Board of Elections by federal law enforcement this week indicates that a vendor contracted by the Board to provide a number of services, including voter registration infrastructure, had been acquired by a parent company with financial ties to a Russian national," Hogan said in a statement.
Miller and Busch also said they have asked Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh to review existing contractual obligations of the state, and asked for a review of the system to ensure there have been no breaches.
The vendor, ByteGrid LLC, was purchased by a Russian investor in 2015 without knowledge of Maryland state officials, officials said.
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Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch made the announcement at a news conference in the Maryland State House, a gathering that included staff members of Gov. Larry Hogan.
"The FBI conveyed to us that there is no criminal activity that they've seen," Busch said. "They believe that the system that we have has not been breached."
In a letter Friday, Hogan, Busch and Miller asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for technical assistance to evaluate the network used by the elections board.
"It is with concern that I learned that information provided to the Maryland State Board of Elections by federal law enforcement this week indicates that a vendor contracted by the Board to provide a number of services, including voter registration infrastructure, had been acquired by a parent company with financial ties to a Russian national," Hogan said in a statement.
Miller and Busch also said they have asked Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh to review existing contractual obligations of the state, and asked for a review of the system to ensure there have been no breaches.
The vendor, ByteGrid LLC, was purchased by a Russian investor in 2015 without knowledge of Maryland state officials, officials said.
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