A Democratic Illinois state senator announced his resignation just before the Thanksgiving holiday after being under investigation by the FBI for months.
State Sen. Martin Sandoval sent a letter to the secretary of the Senate explaining he would vacate his office on Jan. 1, 2020, writing, "It is with a heavy heart, I, Martin A. Sandoval, do hereby resign the office of state senator.”
“Respect for my constituents and the Senate convinced me that this action is necessary in order to proceed without distraction to the important work that needs to be accomplished for working families throughout the state of Illinois in the future,” he added.
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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
Friday, November 29, 2019
These 2 Cases Show Why Trans ‘Rights’ Could Upend the Rights of All
The battle over the rights of “transgender” and “cisgender” people continues to escalate in one of the most influential arenas: our nation’s schools.
The Chicago Tribune reported this month that after a four-year battle, a school board in Palatine, Illinois, has granted transgender students “unrestricted access to locker rooms based on gender identity.”
Just a few days later, CBS News Minnesota reported a mother had sued her local school district, claiming that it discriminated against her child for being transgender.
These are just two of the most recent stories showing just how prevalent the transgender debate in schools has become.
What Happened in Illinois
The Chicago Tribune reported this month that after a four-year battle, a school board in Palatine, Illinois, has granted transgender students “unrestricted access to locker rooms based on gender identity.”
Just a few days later, CBS News Minnesota reported a mother had sued her local school district, claiming that it discriminated against her child for being transgender.
These are just two of the most recent stories showing just how prevalent the transgender debate in schools has become.
What Happened in Illinois
'It’s almost been weaponized': South Carolina lawmaker proposes bill to ban gender reassignment for minors
A South Carolina state lawmaker proposed a bill that would make it illegal for children to undergo gender reassignment surgery until they become adults.
Republican state Rep. Stewart Jones cited the case of James Younger as his motivation for pursuing the legislation. Younger, a 7-year-old boy from Texas, told his mother that he wanted to transition to a girl. The mother encouraged the decision and demanded that Younger’s father refer to the child as “Luna.”
Younger’s father was denied custody of his son when he tried to block James from transitioning. The judge has since reversed and given the father, Jeffrey Younger, joint managing conservatorship, meaning he must agree to any medical treatments his son receives.
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Republican state Rep. Stewart Jones cited the case of James Younger as his motivation for pursuing the legislation. Younger, a 7-year-old boy from Texas, told his mother that he wanted to transition to a girl. The mother encouraged the decision and demanded that Younger’s father refer to the child as “Luna.”
Younger’s father was denied custody of his son when he tried to block James from transitioning. The judge has since reversed and given the father, Jeffrey Younger, joint managing conservatorship, meaning he must agree to any medical treatments his son receives.
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Fox News beats MSNBC and CNN in coverage of impeachment hearings
Fox News had a larger audience for each of the five days of public testimony in the House impeachment investigation than either of the other two cable news networks.
The House Intelligence Committee heard testimony from government officials on five different days over the last two weeks. Each of the officials who testified had knowledge of President Trump's actions in regards to foreign policy with Ukraine.
Fox News had an average of 2.5 million viewers on each of those days with 378,000 in the 25-54 age demographics, according to Nielsen media ratings. They just edged out MSNBC who posted an average of 2.48 million viewers with 347,000 in the key demo. Both of those networks dwarfed CNN's average audience, which was 1,681,000 viewers and 375,000 in the demo.
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The House Intelligence Committee heard testimony from government officials on five different days over the last two weeks. Each of the officials who testified had knowledge of President Trump's actions in regards to foreign policy with Ukraine.
Fox News had an average of 2.5 million viewers on each of those days with 378,000 in the 25-54 age demographics, according to Nielsen media ratings. They just edged out MSNBC who posted an average of 2.48 million viewers with 347,000 in the key demo. Both of those networks dwarfed CNN's average audience, which was 1,681,000 viewers and 375,000 in the demo.
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A Viewer Writes............MVA
The MVA is Open on Friday November 28 regular hours
(Black Friday) 8:30 to 4:30pm
Central Collections Units located in MVAs are open also
Timely Reminder
Maryland has a gigantic program going on for people with insurance lapse fines IT ENDS DECEMBER 31, 2019
Certain insurance lapse fines qualify for the program called Fine Fix. Not everyone qualifies but contact Fine Fix and take action before December 31st or lose the chance
This is a legitimate program
Call 1-800-692-3491 or finefix.maryland.gov
Thursday, November 28, 2019
'Cheaters, take heed!' Woman claims Washington Post food critic revealed husband’s affair
An anonymous woman revealed that a photo included in a Washington Post's food critic's review depicted her husband with another woman.
The revelation was made on Wednesday during a weekly online question & answer with the Post’s Tom Sietsema.
"Well, Tom, your latest review is accompanied by a picture of my husband dining with a woman who isn't me!" an anonymous entry read. "Once confronted with photographic evidence, he confessed to having an ongoing affair."
It continued, "Just thought you'd be amused to hear of your part in the drama. This Thanksgiving I'm grateful to you for exposing a cheat!"
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The revelation was made on Wednesday during a weekly online question & answer with the Post’s Tom Sietsema.
"Well, Tom, your latest review is accompanied by a picture of my husband dining with a woman who isn't me!" an anonymous entry read. "Once confronted with photographic evidence, he confessed to having an ongoing affair."
It continued, "Just thought you'd be amused to hear of your part in the drama. This Thanksgiving I'm grateful to you for exposing a cheat!"
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‘The wrong black guy’: Clarence Thomas hammers Biden over Anita Hill questions
Justice Clarence Thomas condemned his treatment by the Joe Biden-led Judiciary Committee during his confirmation to the Supreme Court in 1991.
Thomas, 71, was featured in a yet-to-be-released documentary in which he describes his chaotic confirmation to the court amid allegations from Anita Hill that he had sexually harassed her prior to his nomination. The justice denied ever sexually harassing anyone, but Hill’s accusations became the focus of his confirmation, similar to the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Thomas claimed he was targeted with the allegations because of his conservative views on abortion.
He told the filmmakers, “Do I have like stupid written on the back of my shirt? I mean come on. We know what this is all about. People should just tell the truth: 'This is the wrong black guy; he has to be destroyed.' Just say it. Then now we're at least honest with each other. The idea was to get rid of me. And then, after I was there, it was to undermine me."
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Thomas, 71, was featured in a yet-to-be-released documentary in which he describes his chaotic confirmation to the court amid allegations from Anita Hill that he had sexually harassed her prior to his nomination. The justice denied ever sexually harassing anyone, but Hill’s accusations became the focus of his confirmation, similar to the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Thomas claimed he was targeted with the allegations because of his conservative views on abortion.
He told the filmmakers, “Do I have like stupid written on the back of my shirt? I mean come on. We know what this is all about. People should just tell the truth: 'This is the wrong black guy; he has to be destroyed.' Just say it. Then now we're at least honest with each other. The idea was to get rid of me. And then, after I was there, it was to undermine me."
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Natural enemies? Dog’s tail freed from robot vacuum!
BALLWIN, Mo. (KSDK) — Police in Ballwin, Missouri responded to a call unlike any other Friday — a family dog sucked up by a robotic vacuum.
“I called 911 because I figured somebody’s gotta be able to help me,” Megan Dunavant said.
Her elderly Shih Tzu, Stonewall, was trapped. The robotic vacuum had shut off right next to him, and when Dunavant looked more closely, she realized his tail was caught inside.
“He’s alligator rolling trying to get loose and freaking out,” she said.
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“I called 911 because I figured somebody’s gotta be able to help me,” Megan Dunavant said.
Her elderly Shih Tzu, Stonewall, was trapped. The robotic vacuum had shut off right next to him, and when Dunavant looked more closely, she realized his tail was caught inside.
“He’s alligator rolling trying to get loose and freaking out,” she said.
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Migrants from 30 Nations Apprehended in One Texas Border Sector Since September 30
Del Rio Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended migrants from at least 30 different nations since the beginning of October. Sector officials report significant variations in the demographic nationalities of migrants being apprehended this fiscal year.
“The apprehension of migrants from countries such as Brazil, Haiti, China, and countries of Africa have increased significantly this fiscal year,” Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz said in a written statement. “We continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat threats in an effort to protect our country and the community.”
Sector officials report the apprehension of migrants from at least 30 separate nations other than Mexico during the first two months of Fiscal Year 2020 (which began on October 1). This is up from 15 nations during the same period in FY2019.
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“The apprehension of migrants from countries such as Brazil, Haiti, China, and countries of Africa have increased significantly this fiscal year,” Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz said in a written statement. “We continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat threats in an effort to protect our country and the community.”
Sector officials report the apprehension of migrants from at least 30 separate nations other than Mexico during the first two months of Fiscal Year 2020 (which began on October 1). This is up from 15 nations during the same period in FY2019.
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N.Y. Driver’s License Law ‘Undermines National Security,’ Former DHS Official Warns
A new policy which will soon pave the way for illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses in the state of New York greatly undermines national security and immigration enforcement, a former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official warns.
The “Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act,” otherwise known as the ‘Green Light Law,’ is set to go into effect on Dec. 14, despite strong opposition from voters and some county clerks in the state.
While the law effectively compels the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue driver’s licenses to foreign nationals illegally present in the U.S., it also restricts “what information can be retained and given out on those applying or holding standard driver’s licenses.”
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The “Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act,” otherwise known as the ‘Green Light Law,’ is set to go into effect on Dec. 14, despite strong opposition from voters and some county clerks in the state.
While the law effectively compels the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue driver’s licenses to foreign nationals illegally present in the U.S., it also restricts “what information can be retained and given out on those applying or holding standard driver’s licenses.”
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Charlie Kirk: Harder Line Immigration Policies Necessary to Save America
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk told Breitbart News that “huge reforms need to happen” with hard line policies regarding both legal and illegal immigration “if we’re serious about saving this country.” Kirk spoke to host Alex Marlow in a Wednesday interview on SiriusXM’s Breitbart News Daily.
“The reporting that Breitbart has been doing so consistently for the last, seven, eight, ten years on the cartels, I think helped President Trump come to this conclusion,” said Kirk of President Trump’s recent announcement that he would designate Mexican drug cartels as terror organizations.
“The southern border has become one of the most dangerous places on our continent because of the cartels,” he added, “and this is more than just a talking point — designating them as a terror organization — this will allow the seizure of assets, this will allow many different options to be used against what is, quite honestly, a very, very dangerous terrorist organization.”
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“The reporting that Breitbart has been doing so consistently for the last, seven, eight, ten years on the cartels, I think helped President Trump come to this conclusion,” said Kirk of President Trump’s recent announcement that he would designate Mexican drug cartels as terror organizations.
“The southern border has become one of the most dangerous places on our continent because of the cartels,” he added, “and this is more than just a talking point — designating them as a terror organization — this will allow the seizure of assets, this will allow many different options to be used against what is, quite honestly, a very, very dangerous terrorist organization.”
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Judicial Watch: FBI Uncovers New Clinton Emails
(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch today released a court filing that reveals the FBI found more Clinton emails it recently turned over to the State Department for review. In the November 15, 2019 filing, the State Department informs the court that the FBI located additional Clinton emails that potentially had not been previously released:
The court ordered joint status report was filed in response to Judicial Watch’s May 6, 2015, FOIA lawsuit (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State (No. 1:15-cv-00687)). Judicial Watch’s FOIA lawsuit seeks all emails sent and received by Hillary Clinton and other records about her non-governmental email account.
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[T]he Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) recently sent [the State Department] additional documents as part of the ongoing inter-agency consultation process in connection with other FOIA litigation. [The State Department] is working to determine whether that set of documents includes any responsive, non-duplicative agency records that have not already been processed. [The State Department] will promptly update [Judicial Watch] and the Court once that initial review is complete.
The court ordered joint status report was filed in response to Judicial Watch’s May 6, 2015, FOIA lawsuit (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State (No. 1:15-cv-00687)). Judicial Watch’s FOIA lawsuit seeks all emails sent and received by Hillary Clinton and other records about her non-governmental email account.
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Buttigieg camp to return donations from Kavanaugh lawyers: 'We believe the women'
Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential campaign said it will return thousands of dollars in donations from two female lawyers who represented Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh during his 2018 confirmation hearings.
The move comes after The Guardian reported Wednesday that the South Bend, Indiana, mayor’s campaign received $7,200 from Alexandra Walsh and $2,800 from Ms. Walsh’s law partner, Beth Wilkinson. The campaign said that while $3,150 of Ms. Walsh’s donation had already been returned because it exceeded limits, the rest would also be returned to both women because of their connections to Justice Kavanaugh.
“With nearly 700,000 donors, a contribution we would otherwise refuse sometimes gets through,” the campaign spokesperson told The Guardian. “We believe the women who have courageously spoken out about Brett Kavanaugh’s assault and misconduct, and we thank the Guardian for bringing this contribution to our attention.
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The move comes after The Guardian reported Wednesday that the South Bend, Indiana, mayor’s campaign received $7,200 from Alexandra Walsh and $2,800 from Ms. Walsh’s law partner, Beth Wilkinson. The campaign said that while $3,150 of Ms. Walsh’s donation had already been returned because it exceeded limits, the rest would also be returned to both women because of their connections to Justice Kavanaugh.
“With nearly 700,000 donors, a contribution we would otherwise refuse sometimes gets through,” the campaign spokesperson told The Guardian. “We believe the women who have courageously spoken out about Brett Kavanaugh’s assault and misconduct, and we thank the Guardian for bringing this contribution to our attention.
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California DMV Rakes In $50 Million Per Year Selling Personal Information
The California DMV has been selling the personal information of registered drivers to the tune of $50 million per year, according to a DMV document obtained by Motherboard.
In a previous investigation, Motherboard found DMVs in other states have been selling non-optional information drivers must provide in order to obtain a license, such as names, physical addresses and car registration information.
And while California didn't disclose exactly who they're selling to, other states were making a handy profit from customers which include data broker LexisNexis, Experian, private investigators and others.
In a previous investigation, Motherboard found DMVs in other states have been selling non-optional information drivers must provide in order to obtain a license, such as names, physical addresses and car registration information.
And while California didn't disclose exactly who they're selling to, other states were making a handy profit from customers which include data broker LexisNexis, Experian, private investigators and others.
In a public record acts request, Motherboard asked the California DMV for the total dollar amounts paid by commercial requesters of data for the past six years. The responsive document shows the total revenue in financial year 2013/14 as $41,562,735, before steadily climbing to $52,048,236 in the financial year 2017/18. -MotherboardMore
Thanksgiving Isn't Racist | Change My Mind
Steven Crowder visits a college campus to have real conversations with everyday people. In this installment, he addresses the increasingly popular idea that Thanksgiving is a racist holiday.
Trump surprises troops in Afghanistan on Thanksgiving
He visited Bagram Air Base on Thursday, delivering Thanksgiving greetings to U.S. troops deployed there in America’s longest-running war. This is Trump’s second visit to a combat zone. He previously visited troops in Iraq the day after Christmas in 2018.
In the president's address to the troops, he announced renewed peace talks between the United States and the Taliban, claiming the Taliban wants "to make a deal."
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President Trump’s Broward County Florida ‘Homecoming Rally’ – 1 in 4 Attendees were Democrats!
It was another HIGH ENERGY rally.
Following the rally last night Trump 2020 Campaign Manager Brad Parscale posted this on the attendees.
This ought to keep the radical socialists running the Democrat Party up late at night!
24% of the crowd was Democrat and 27% of the crowd was Hispanic.
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Elijah Cummings' family split over who should run for his seat as his daughters refuse to endorse their stepmother and back his longtime assistant instead
The late Rep. Elijah Cummings' daughters are backing his longtime aide Harry Spikes in a crowded primary field to succeed him - and not the longtime lawmaker's widow.
Jennifer Cummings, 37, and her sister Adia, 25, both support Spikes, who served on Cummings' staff for more than a decade and who was defeated in a prior primary for the Maryland House of Delegates.
Cummings widow, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, 48, is also seeking the seat, as is Cummings' predecessor, former Rep. Kweisi Mfume, who was one of his oldest friends and is a former leader of the NAACP.
All three of the candidates spoke at Cummings funeral in October, as did his two daughters.
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Jennifer Cummings, 37, and her sister Adia, 25, both support Spikes, who served on Cummings' staff for more than a decade and who was defeated in a prior primary for the Maryland House of Delegates.
Cummings widow, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, 48, is also seeking the seat, as is Cummings' predecessor, former Rep. Kweisi Mfume, who was one of his oldest friends and is a former leader of the NAACP.
All three of the candidates spoke at Cummings funeral in October, as did his two daughters.
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