JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — What a difference a decade makes.
In the 2006 midterm elections, every single Democrat running for office in Cambria County, the county this old industrial city sits in, garnered nearly 70 percent of the voters' support up and down the ballot. From Gov. Ed Rendell, to Sen. Bob Casey, to the late congressman Jack Murtha, they all owned this region electorally.
Same goes for the legislative races for the state House and Senate.
Ten years later, nearly every single Republican running for office here garnered nearly 70 percent of the voters support up and down the ballot with the exception of two state house seats. Donald J. Trump, Sen. Pat Toomey, Rep. Bill Shuster and Rep. Keith Rothfus all won broadly.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
TRUMP WANTS TO ENLIST LOCAL POLICE IN IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN
PHOENIX (AP) -- To build his highly touted deportation force, President Donald Trump is reviving a program that deputizes local officers to enforce federal immigration law.
The program received scant attention as Trump announced on the same day his plans to build a border wall and hire thousands more federal agents as he looks to fulfill promises from his campaign.
The program has fallen out of the favor in recent years amid complaints from critics that it promotes racial profiling.
More
The program received scant attention as Trump announced on the same day his plans to build a border wall and hire thousands more federal agents as he looks to fulfill promises from his campaign.
The program has fallen out of the favor in recent years amid complaints from critics that it promotes racial profiling.
More
Industrial Accident Being Investigated at Indian River Power Plant
Preliminary investigation reveals the incident occurred around 8:11 a.m. this morning, Tuesday January 31, 2017, when a male subject fell from a roof of the power plant and has died as a result of the fall.
The investigation is in the very early stages. Further details will be released upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Clinton received 800,000 votes from non-citizens, study finds
Hillary Clinton garnered more than 800,000 votes from non-citizens on Nov. 8, an approximation far short of President Trump’s estimate of up to 5 million illegal voters but supportive of his charges of fraud.
Political scientist Jesse Richman of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, has worked with colleagues to produce groundbreaking research on non-citizen voting, and this week he posted a blog in response to Mr. Trump’s assertion.
Based on national polling by a consortium of universities, a report by Mr. Richman said 6.4 percent of the estimated 20 million adult non-citizens in the U.S. voted in November. He extrapolated that that percentage would have added 834,381 net votes for Mrs. Clinton, who received about 2.8 million more votes than Mr. Trump.
More
Political scientist Jesse Richman of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, has worked with colleagues to produce groundbreaking research on non-citizen voting, and this week he posted a blog in response to Mr. Trump’s assertion.
Based on national polling by a consortium of universities, a report by Mr. Richman said 6.4 percent of the estimated 20 million adult non-citizens in the U.S. voted in November. He extrapolated that that percentage would have added 834,381 net votes for Mrs. Clinton, who received about 2.8 million more votes than Mr. Trump.
More
Trump Supporters Raise Nearly $24,000 For Muslim Immigrant
The GoFundMe page for Nationwide Chauffeured Limo Service recently reached just under $24,000 in donations, most of which have come from conservatives and other limo service workers, after one of the company’s limos was attacked by a mob of protesters and completely damaged on inauguration day.
The limo, which was owned by Muslim immigrant Muhammad Ashraf, was attacked with bricks and rocks after dropping off a customer, before the vehicle was completely torched– leaving the driver with minor injuries.
More
Trump's radical immigration plan: Enforce the law
There's one fundamental difference between the new White House and the old when it comes to immigration: Barack Obama ordered his administration not to enforce a number of immigration laws. Donald Trump has ordered his administration to enforce them.
Trump's two immigration executive orders, issued Wednesday, are long, far-reaching, and complicated. But perhaps the most consequential passage in the two combined orders is a single sentence: "The purpose of this order is to direct executive departments and agencies to employ all lawful means to enforce the immigration laws of the United States."
That is the heart of Trump's immigration strategy. "We do not need new laws," the president said at the Department of Homeland Security Wednesday. "We will work within the existing system and framework."
Trump's proposal to build a wall on the Mexican border dominated coverage of the two executive orders. But the orders do much, much more than that — or at least they start the process of doing much, much more. For those who follow immigration closely, the Trump orders contain several critical provisions.
Among them:
Trump's two immigration executive orders, issued Wednesday, are long, far-reaching, and complicated. But perhaps the most consequential passage in the two combined orders is a single sentence: "The purpose of this order is to direct executive departments and agencies to employ all lawful means to enforce the immigration laws of the United States."
That is the heart of Trump's immigration strategy. "We do not need new laws," the president said at the Department of Homeland Security Wednesday. "We will work within the existing system and framework."
Trump's proposal to build a wall on the Mexican border dominated coverage of the two executive orders. But the orders do much, much more than that — or at least they start the process of doing much, much more. For those who follow immigration closely, the Trump orders contain several critical provisions.
Among them:
FLASHBACK: Ineligible Aliens Voted in Philadelphia in Recent Years
OCTOBER 4, 2016-- Dozens of ineligible aliens who have been removed from the voter rolls in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., have cast ballots in recent elections, according to a new report from an election watchdog group.
The Public Interest Legal Foundation, an Indiana-based nonprofit that litigates to protect election integrity, released a report on Tuesday detailing voter rolls in Philadelphia. The information was collected from public records requests made through the National Voter Registration Act.
The group found that from 2013 to 2015, 86 registrations were cancelled in Philadelphia because the registrant was not a United States citizen. Of the cancelled registrants, 40 aliens from the city have voted in at least one election, the report stated.
“The report only details aliens who requested to be removed from the rolls,” PILF said. “No procedure exists to systematically scan voter rolls to detect aliens and election officials do not use data from the federal SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) database to scan for illegal registrations by non-citizens.”
The group also discovered thousands of felons remain on the voter rolls despite having to be removed once incarcerated..
More here
The Public Interest Legal Foundation, an Indiana-based nonprofit that litigates to protect election integrity, released a report on Tuesday detailing voter rolls in Philadelphia. The information was collected from public records requests made through the National Voter Registration Act.
The group found that from 2013 to 2015, 86 registrations were cancelled in Philadelphia because the registrant was not a United States citizen. Of the cancelled registrants, 40 aliens from the city have voted in at least one election, the report stated.
“The report only details aliens who requested to be removed from the rolls,” PILF said. “No procedure exists to systematically scan voter rolls to detect aliens and election officials do not use data from the federal SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) database to scan for illegal registrations by non-citizens.”
The group also discovered thousands of felons remain on the voter rolls despite having to be removed once incarcerated..
More here
FLASHBACK: Will Illegal Foreign Voters Steal the Election?
OCTOBER 5, 2016-- "It could all come down to Colorado."
That's the latest conventional wisdom from presidential poll watchers. But it may not be legal American citizens in my adopted home state who choose the next commander in chief.
Instead, it could very well be foreign non-citizens voting illegally in the Rocky Mountains — and in other crucial swing states — who seal our country's fate.
Former Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler identified nearly 5,000 noncitizens in Colorado who voted in the 2010 general election. Gessler's office uncovered upwards of 12,000 non-citizens registered to vote. Liberal groups who oppose stronger election system protections attacked him for trying to verify citizenship status — because God forbid public officials sworn to uphold the rule of law actually do anything to enhance the integrity of our election system!
Compounding the problem: The militant immigration expansionist group Mi Familia Vota, connected with the Service Employees International Union, has ramped up its efforts in swing states to facilitate naturalization and registration of Latino voters who will promote the open-borders agenda at the polls.
More
That's the latest conventional wisdom from presidential poll watchers. But it may not be legal American citizens in my adopted home state who choose the next commander in chief.
Instead, it could very well be foreign non-citizens voting illegally in the Rocky Mountains — and in other crucial swing states — who seal our country's fate.
Former Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler identified nearly 5,000 noncitizens in Colorado who voted in the 2010 general election. Gessler's office uncovered upwards of 12,000 non-citizens registered to vote. Liberal groups who oppose stronger election system protections attacked him for trying to verify citizenship status — because God forbid public officials sworn to uphold the rule of law actually do anything to enhance the integrity of our election system!
Compounding the problem: The militant immigration expansionist group Mi Familia Vota, connected with the Service Employees International Union, has ramped up its efforts in swing states to facilitate naturalization and registration of Latino voters who will promote the open-borders agenda at the polls.
More
Governor Larry Hogan Announces State Retirement Choice Act for the 21st Century Workforce
Creates Sustainable Retirement System, Flexibility in Savings
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced the State Retirement Choice Act for the 21st Century Workforce, legislation that will restructure and protect Maryland’s current underperforming employee pension system. The proposed legislation will allow the state to begin paying down the unfunded liability in the current pension system while creating a sustainable retirement system that will serve state employees into the future.
The State Retirement Choice Act for the 21st Century Workforce creates an optional defined contribution retirement savings plan for state employees. Under the new plan, both employees and the state would each contribute 5 percent to the employee’s individual retirement account. Like other states, new state employees will have the option of choosing between the existing defined benefit pension plan or the new defined contribution plan. Due to IRS regulations, the new plan is not available to current state employees, and teachers are not included in the legislation.
“Protecting the integrity of our pension system and keeping the promises made to our hardworking state employees will always be a priority of this administration,” said Governor Hogan. “This legislation will safeguard pension contributions and create a long-term and stable structure that will meet the needs of retired, current, and future state employees.”
In recognition of the needs of 21st century workers, under the new plan, state contributions will vest after three years of employment, rather than the ten years necessary under the state’s existing pension plan, giving employees the flexibility to take their retirement savings with them to their next job.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced the State Retirement Choice Act for the 21st Century Workforce, legislation that will restructure and protect Maryland’s current underperforming employee pension system. The proposed legislation will allow the state to begin paying down the unfunded liability in the current pension system while creating a sustainable retirement system that will serve state employees into the future.
The State Retirement Choice Act for the 21st Century Workforce creates an optional defined contribution retirement savings plan for state employees. Under the new plan, both employees and the state would each contribute 5 percent to the employee’s individual retirement account. Like other states, new state employees will have the option of choosing between the existing defined benefit pension plan or the new defined contribution plan. Due to IRS regulations, the new plan is not available to current state employees, and teachers are not included in the legislation.
“Protecting the integrity of our pension system and keeping the promises made to our hardworking state employees will always be a priority of this administration,” said Governor Hogan. “This legislation will safeguard pension contributions and create a long-term and stable structure that will meet the needs of retired, current, and future state employees.”
In recognition of the needs of 21st century workers, under the new plan, state contributions will vest after three years of employment, rather than the ten years necessary under the state’s existing pension plan, giving employees the flexibility to take their retirement savings with them to their next job.
"Islam Strengthening in Europe with the Blessing of the Church"
Everyone in Italy and the rest of Europe will "soon be Muslim" because of our "stupidity", warnedMonsignor Carlo Liberati, Archbishop Emeritus of Pompei. Liberati claimed that, thanks to the huge number of Muslim migrants alongside the increasing secularism of native Europeans, Islam will soon become the main religion of Europe. "All of this moral and religious decadence favours Islam", Archbishop Liberati explained.
Décadence is also the title of a new book by the French philosopher Michel Onfray, in which he suggests that the Judeo-Christian era may have come to an end. He compares the West and Islam: "We have nihilism, they have fervor; we are exhausted, they have a great health; we have the past for us; they have the future for them".
Archbishop Liberati belongs to a growing branch of Catholic leaders who refuse to see the future belonging to Islam in Europe. They speak in open opposition to Pope Francis, who does not seem too impressed by the collapse of Christianity due to falling birth rates, accompanied by religious apathy and its replacement by Islam.
More
Décadence is also the title of a new book by the French philosopher Michel Onfray, in which he suggests that the Judeo-Christian era may have come to an end. He compares the West and Islam: "We have nihilism, they have fervor; we are exhausted, they have a great health; we have the past for us; they have the future for them".
Archbishop Liberati belongs to a growing branch of Catholic leaders who refuse to see the future belonging to Islam in Europe. They speak in open opposition to Pope Francis, who does not seem too impressed by the collapse of Christianity due to falling birth rates, accompanied by religious apathy and its replacement by Islam.
More
Rasmussen Poll: Clear Majority of Americans Support Trump's Travel Ban
Only 33% oppose block on individuals from terror-linked countries
A new Rasmussen poll finds that 57 per cent of Americans support President Trump’s travel ban on people arriving from terror-linked countries, with just 33 per cent opposing the measure.
Asked if they support a temporary 90 day ban on “refugees” from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, a clear majority of Americans back Trump, despite widespread media criticism of the executive order.
The poll also found that Americans support a visa block on all individuals from those same countries by a margin of 56 per cent to 32 per cent.
More
A new Rasmussen poll finds that 57 per cent of Americans support President Trump’s travel ban on people arriving from terror-linked countries, with just 33 per cent opposing the measure.
Asked if they support a temporary 90 day ban on “refugees” from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, a clear majority of Americans back Trump, despite widespread media criticism of the executive order.
The poll also found that Americans support a visa block on all individuals from those same countries by a margin of 56 per cent to 32 per cent.
More
NYT Editorial Board Horrified That Trump Wants To Fight ‘Radical Islamic Terrorism’
“The emerging details suggest that Mr. Trump’s plans to eradicate violent extremists are not only at odds with Mr. Obama’s."
The New York Times’ editorial board took a stand Thursday against President Donald Trump’s vow to eradicate radical Islamic terrorism from the face of the earth.
The Times’ editors worried that Trump’s approach to fighting radical Islamic terrorism — which they referred to with scare quotes — is “more likely to further inflame anti-American sentiment around the world than to make the United States safer.”
“The emerging details suggest that Mr. Trump’s plans to eradicate violent extremists are not only at odds with Mr. Obama’s; they trample on American values and international law,” they wrote.
The Times editorial found several problems with Trump’s approach, including his use of the term “radical Islam,” which the editors say is “demonizing and alienating the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims,” the fact that he is reportedly considering designating the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization, and the fact that he doesn’t plan on closing Guantanamo Bay (which Obama was unable to do despite vowing to close the prison on day one of his administration).
Read more
The New York Times’ editorial board took a stand Thursday against President Donald Trump’s vow to eradicate radical Islamic terrorism from the face of the earth.
The Times’ editors worried that Trump’s approach to fighting radical Islamic terrorism — which they referred to with scare quotes — is “more likely to further inflame anti-American sentiment around the world than to make the United States safer.”
“The emerging details suggest that Mr. Trump’s plans to eradicate violent extremists are not only at odds with Mr. Obama’s; they trample on American values and international law,” they wrote.
The Times editorial found several problems with Trump’s approach, including his use of the term “radical Islam,” which the editors say is “demonizing and alienating the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims,” the fact that he is reportedly considering designating the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization, and the fact that he doesn’t plan on closing Guantanamo Bay (which Obama was unable to do despite vowing to close the prison on day one of his administration).
Read more
CONCERNS ABOUT BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR NEW DELEGATES
Statement by ACLU of Maryland and Common Cause Maryland Regarding Pending Delegate Appointments in the General Assembly
"We are concerned that the appointment of several delegates, in particular Black and Muslim appointees, who seek to dutifully serve their communities are not being approved by Governor Hogan following his sudden decision to request background checks. The Attorney General has advised the governor that the background checks cannot be legally required. We do not agree with the administration placing requirements on these appointees that have not been placed on other legislators. More generally, we are also concerned by the lack of democratic processes used to fill vacant seats. It's time that the governor approve these appointments for the good of the communities the appointees represent, which have a right to be at the table because decisions affecting their livelihoods are being made right now in the General Assembly."
Week Three: A Visit From Champions
| ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
|
Democrats reportedly plan scorched-earth approach to fighting Trump
For the past two months, Democratic leaders have been reportedly discussing ways to approach the presidency of Donald Trump and have largely landed on a conclusion: fight him at every turn in a ‘not-now-not-ever’ opposition.
Politico reported that it conducted interviews with about two dozen Democrats in office who were willing to discuss the internal debate.
It apparently did not take very long for these politicans to determine that a working relationship with Trump was not possible, though Washington Gov. Jay Inslee told the magazine that there was a “grace period.”
“But it was midnight the night of the inauguration to 8 o’clock the next morning, when the administration sent out people to lie about numerous significant things,” Inslee said.
He continued: “It’s been worse than I could have imagined, the first few days.”
More
Politico reported that it conducted interviews with about two dozen Democrats in office who were willing to discuss the internal debate.
It apparently did not take very long for these politicans to determine that a working relationship with Trump was not possible, though Washington Gov. Jay Inslee told the magazine that there was a “grace period.”
“But it was midnight the night of the inauguration to 8 o’clock the next morning, when the administration sent out people to lie about numerous significant things,” Inslee said.
He continued: “It’s been worse than I could have imagined, the first few days.”
More
Pizza Deliveryman Who Shot Back Credits 'The Gun on [His] Hip'
The pizza deliveryman who shot back after being ambushed Monday night credits “the gun on [his] hip” with keeping the situation from getting even worse.
Breitbart News previously reported that the deliveryman was shot twice in southwest Philadelphia after being ambushed but was able to pull his own gun and return fire, ending the attack. The deliveryman was given the address of a vacant home and was attacked by men who flanked him from adjacent homes as he waited for an answer at the front door.
ABC 6 identified the deliveryman as 36-year-old Keyveat Fredericks, a father of eight.
Fredericks said, “When I turned, the gun was in my face. He came out of nowhere.” He added, “I smacked his gun. Ran around my vehicle. I had dropped the pizzas. I heard one shot. I felt it hit me. I can tell you I felt it go through my arm. I heard it literally hit my gun that was on my side on my holster and I felt it go inside of me.”
More
Breitbart News previously reported that the deliveryman was shot twice in southwest Philadelphia after being ambushed but was able to pull his own gun and return fire, ending the attack. The deliveryman was given the address of a vacant home and was attacked by men who flanked him from adjacent homes as he waited for an answer at the front door.
ABC 6 identified the deliveryman as 36-year-old Keyveat Fredericks, a father of eight.
Fredericks said, “When I turned, the gun was in my face. He came out of nowhere.” He added, “I smacked his gun. Ran around my vehicle. I had dropped the pizzas. I heard one shot. I felt it hit me. I can tell you I felt it go through my arm. I heard it literally hit my gun that was on my side on my holster and I felt it go inside of me.”
More
Japanese Samurai warriors captured in brutal pictures
A fascinating set of photographs dating back 130 years show life inside the Japanese Samurai warrior tribes.
They include a display of their tradition of Harakiri, also known as Seppuku. It was used by warriors who wanted to die with honour - either voluntarily or if they had been caught by the enemy.
The ceremonial disembowelment was usually part of a more elaborate ritual and performed in front of spectators. The most startling image shows one warrior soaked in blood with his eyes staring as the sword is plunged into his stomach. The first image of a young Samurai warrior was staged for early cameras.
He is seen appearing to plunge a blade into the abdomen, with blood marks on his face.
More
They include a display of their tradition of Harakiri, also known as Seppuku. It was used by warriors who wanted to die with honour - either voluntarily or if they had been caught by the enemy.
The ceremonial disembowelment was usually part of a more elaborate ritual and performed in front of spectators. The most startling image shows one warrior soaked in blood with his eyes staring as the sword is plunged into his stomach. The first image of a young Samurai warrior was staged for early cameras.
He is seen appearing to plunge a blade into the abdomen, with blood marks on his face.
More
State Police Warn Motorists To Avoid Stopping on Exit Ramps For Panhandlers
(Jessup, MD) Shortly after 2:30 p.m. yesterday, a Maryland State Police, College Park Barrack Trooper was traveling on the ramp from westbound Route 32 to southbound I-95, Jessup, Maryland when he observed two vehicles on the right shoulder of the ramp. The first vehicle was a black Hyundai Santa Fe and the second vehicle, a gray sedan was approximately 200 feet in front of the Hyundai SUV. The Trooper observed a male subject standing at the driver side of the gray sedan. As the Trooper was driving by, he observed several cars slow down due to the stopped vehicles on the shoulder.
The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect, who was later identified as Alexandru Catalin, 26, Baltimore, Maryland was pretending his vehicle was disabled, flagging down passing motorists on the exit ramp and begging for money. The Trooper made contact with Catalin and placed him under arrest for disorderly conduct. He was transported to the Commissioner’s Office and released without bond. Catalin’s vehicle was a rental which seems to be a common theme with these types of incidents.
These incidents cause major traffic delays and crashes on the ramps. Maryland State Police warn motorists to avoid stopping on exit ramps for individuals allegedly flagging down vehicles for help.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Maryland State Police, College Park Barrack.
The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect, who was later identified as Alexandru Catalin, 26, Baltimore, Maryland was pretending his vehicle was disabled, flagging down passing motorists on the exit ramp and begging for money. The Trooper made contact with Catalin and placed him under arrest for disorderly conduct. He was transported to the Commissioner’s Office and released without bond. Catalin’s vehicle was a rental which seems to be a common theme with these types of incidents.
These incidents cause major traffic delays and crashes on the ramps. Maryland State Police warn motorists to avoid stopping on exit ramps for individuals allegedly flagging down vehicles for help.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Maryland State Police, College Park Barrack.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)