text
stringlengths 1
134k
| label
int64 0
1
|
|---|---|
Leave a reply Chelsea Clinton’s wedding was paid for with charity money meant for the poor! Crooked Hillary used Clinton Foundation funds to illegally pay for her daughter’s wedding! That is called ‘charity fraud.’
Wikileaks busted Chelsea and Hillary Clinton today by leaking an email from (Clinton advisor) Doug Band to (Hillary campaign chairman) John Podesta. In the email, Band accuses Chelsea of charity fraud (paying for her own wedding with charity cash laundered thru the rotten clinton foundation racket). How many Clinton crimes will it take for Hillary voters to awaken? Many never will. But the world isn’t run by naive simpletons. Clinton crimes run so deep that adults are stepping up to squash Hillary and round up her crooked henchmen. Will that happen in time to stop Hillary from stealing the rigged 2016 election? SF Source Barry Soetoro | 0 |
She is a total Idiot. How did she ever get that Job. Oh, I forgot who she was working for. | 0 |
Proof God is on Duterte’s Side!
Azzmador October 29, 2016 God gave this man three missions: Kill drug dealers – stop cussing – gas kikes!
These days it’s not very often a nation can say their leader has the approval of the Almighty God himself, but now, the Philippines can claim this distinction.
The Washington Post :
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made a solemn promise: no more swearing.
Duterte, who famously cursed the pope and used a slang term that translates as â son of a whore ” while denouncing President Obama, said he was flying back from Japan late Thursday, looking at a vast expanse of sky, listening to his colleagues snore, when he heard a voice say, âIf you donât stop epithets, I will bring this plane down now.â
I know many of you may be skeptical of his claim, but not me. I’ve heard people claim they spoke to God many times in my life, and until now, there was always some personal agenda involved. When I was a kid, I had relatives tell me God wanted me to have a crew cut. Then there were the more famous situations like Oral Roberts saying that if his flock didn’t send him ten million dollars by a specified date, God would kill him, personally.
Then you had guys like Ted Haggard. I’m pretty sure God told him it wasn’t a good idea to be snorting meth off the units of male prostitutes while he was the pastor of an evangelical megachurch and spiritual advisor to the likes of George W. Bush, but if so, God’s words went unheeded.
Not so with the infamous Flip shitlord.
âAnd I said, âWho is this?â So, of course, âitâs God,ââ he told Filipino journalists late Thursday.
âSo, I promise God,â he continued, âNot [to] express slang, cuss words and everything. So you guys hear me right always because [a] promise to God is a promise to the Filipino people.â God’s servant on Earth, Rodrigo Duterte, contemplating the sound of one hand killing all the drug lords.
Now there’s a man with his priorities straight. He identifies the speaker, and makes his promise, publicly, to God and his people, that he will obey. Of course, all fascists believe in a natural hierarchy, so his obedience just makes sense.
An important thing to note is, when God speaks, what he doesn’t say is just as important as what he said. He told Duterte, “stop cussing.” Nothing more.
Thank goodness he did not say “stop killing criminals.” I was pretty sure he wouldn’t, but you never know. What a relief…
Of course, not everyone is theologically adept, i.e. the author of the WaPo article. She took to Twitter to make some heretical and thoroughly unfair remarks. Err, to quote @astroehlein , "Did God mention the death squads?" https://t.co/QezjfCweEH
— Emily Rauhala (@emilyrauhala) October 28, 2016
No Emily, God did not mention the death squads, and any true believer knows this means he approves of them.
Where in the Holy Bible does it say you’re supposed to allow savage drug kingpins to wage war in your streets, killing innocents by the thousands, just so they can decide who gets to sell poison to your people and in what location? I’ve never read that part.
I cannot confirm whether or not Emily Rauhala is a Jew, but she’s WaPo’s “China Correspondent,” and her Twitter timeline reads like someone with a personal vendetta against the fantastic leader of The Philippines.
Whatever her problem is, she’d better get a handle on it, because in ten days we’re electing a Great Christian here as well! | 0 |
(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the .) Good evening. Here’s the latest. 1. Donald J. Trump continues his victory tour with a rally in Fayetteville, N. C. (7 p. m. Eastern). Earlier in the day, he fired the son of his designated national security adviser for sharing a fake news story about Hillary Clinton that led to an armed confrontation in a pizza restaurant. And Mr. Trump, who has for years flown in a jet bearing his name, proposed canceling a pending order for a new Air Force One, criticizing Boeing in a tweet that said “costs are out of control. ” _____ 2. President Obama took Air Force One to Tampa, Fla. where he delivered his final planned address on national security. The venue, MacDill Air Force Base, is home to units crucial to Mr. Obama’s fight against terrorism as well as efforts to wind down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The diminishing United States presence in Afghanistan offers yet more room for Saudi Arabia, which has supported the American mission there while also turning a blind eye to wealthy residents privately funding the Taliban. _____ 3. Mr. Trump has stirred controversy with foreign governments. His unorthodox phone call with the leader of Taiwan appears to be the culmination of months of effort by Bob Dole, above, who acted as a foreign agent for the country’s government. His lobbying firm was paid $140, 000 for the work. In Iran, President Hassan Rouhani said that his country would not allow Mr. Trump to tear up last year’s nuclear agreement. “America is our enemy we have no doubt about this,” he said, taking a harsh tone that signaled the intense pressure he is under from . _____ 4. The man who admitted to shooting the former N. F. L. player Joe McKnight last Thursday has been arrested and charged with manslaughter. The authorities had been deluged with criticism and insults for releasing Ronald Gasser, above, after what appeared to be an episode of road rage. In a news conference, Sheriff Newell Normand angrily rejected the idea his officers had been slow to act because the victim was black and the shooter white. _____ 5. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in two cases. Justices handed Samsung a victory in a fight over smartphone patents that may mean the company won’t have to fork over $399 million to Apple. And the court upheld prosecutors’ right to pursue insider trading charges when executives pass along tips to relatives. _____ 6. Wells Fargo has been able to stop lawsuits from defrauded customers by moving the cases into private arbitration, a secretive legal process that often favors corporations. “It’s ridiculous,” said Jennifer Zeleny, above, who is suing the bank. “This is an issue of identity theft — my identity was used so employees could meet sales goals. This is something that needs to be litigated in a public forum. ” _____ 7. New York will investigate whether the state’s prison system is racially biased after an investigation by The Times found that black inmates were punished and denied parole at higher rates than white ones. The Times analyzed nearly 60, 000 disciplinary cases from 2015 and interviewed inmates at prisons around the state for the series. Here’s Part I and Part II. _____ 8. The United States fared poorly, as usual, in a worldwide ranking of students’ test scores. But the latest results did show significant gains among disadvantaged teenagers. Andreas Schleicher, who oversees the test, suggested the recently adopted learning goals known as the Common Core State Standards would further those gains in the long term. _____ 9. Beyoncé received more Grammy nominations than any other artist, getting nine nods for “Lemonade,” an album and film that explored issues of race and infidelity. She’ll compete against Adele — who received five nominations — in each of the top of three categories. Drake and Rihanna each received eight nominations, and Chance the Rapper had seven. _____ 10. The hot toy of the holiday season is an interactive, furry creature that hatches out of an egg and grows up before your eyes. They’re called Hatchimals, and they are in short supply. The Canadian company that introduced the toy in October, with a suggested retail price of $59. 99, said it “had no idea that it would be this big. ” Good luck, shoppers. Photographs may appear out of order for some readers. Viewing this version of the briefing should help. Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p. m. Eastern. And don’t miss Your Morning Briefing, posted weekdays at 6 a. m. Eastern, and Your Weekend Briefing, posted at 6 a. m. Sundays. Want to look back? Here’s last night’s briefing. What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes. com. | 1 |
When the leader of the United Nations apologized to Haitians for the cholera epidemic that has ravaged their country for more than six years — caused by infected peacekeepers sent to protect them — he proclaimed a “moral responsibility” to make things right. The apology, announced in December along with a $400 million strategy to combat the epidemic and “provide material assistance and support” for victims, amounted to a rare public act of contrition by the United Nations. Under its secretary general at the time, Ban the organization had resisted any acceptance of blame for the epidemic, one of the worst cholera outbreaks in modern times. Since then, however, the United Nations’ strategy to fight the epidemic, which it calls the “New Approach,” has failed to gain traction. A trust fund created to help finance the strategy has only about $2 million, according to the latest data on its website. Just six of the 193 member states — Britain, Chile, France, India, Liechtenstein and South Korea — have donated. Other countries have provided additional sources of funding for Haiti outside the trust fund, most notably Canada, at about $4. 6 million, and Japan, at $2. 6 million, according to the United Nations. Nonetheless, the totals received are a fraction of what Mr. Ban envisioned. In a letter sent to member states last month, Mr. Ban’s successor, António Guterres, asked for financial commitments to the trust fund by March 6. He also appeared to raise the possibility of a mandatory dues assessment if there were no significant pledges. The deadline came and went without much response. Mr. Guterres has not stated publicly whether he intends to push for a mandatory assessment in the budget negotiations now underway at the United Nations. Privately, however, diplomats and United Nations officials said he had shelved the idea, partly because of strong resistance by some powerful members, including the United States. Diplomats said part of the problem could be traced to simple donor fatigue, as well as to many countries’ reluctance to make financial commitments without certainty that the money will be used effectively. The donor challenge was acknowledged by Dr. David Nabarro, a United Nations special adviser who rose to prominence running its mobilization to fight the Ebola crisis in West Africa, and who has been leading its efforts for Haiti as he seeks to become the next director general of the World Health Organization. “Donors will respond, but they need to be convinced that they’re going to be given a good proposition for what’s done with their money,” he said in January at the World Economic Forum. “The Haiti cholera story is not actually a very good one, in that it’s taken us a rather long time to get on top of it, and still the problem is persisting. ” The effort has been further complicated by the Trump administration’s intention to cut spending on foreign aid. The United States, historically a leading source of Haiti’s foreign aid, is also the biggest single financing source for the United Nations, which may now confront painful choices over how to allocate reduced revenue. Ross Mountain, a veteran United Nations aid official who is its senior adviser on cholera in Haiti, said that a number of ideas concerning the financing were under discussion. And, he said, while “$400 million is not a very large sum, considering the circumstances, we are all very aware about the competing demands. ” Mr. Mountain also conceded that “on the financial side, we have not moved further ahead. ” Mr. Trump’s new United Nations ambassador, Nikki R. Haley, who has called the cholera crisis “nothing short of devastating,” did not respond to requests for comment about the funding problem. But in her Senate confirmation testimony in January, Ms. Haley said, “We’re going to have to make this right with Haiti, without question, and the U. N. is going to have to take responsibility. ” Cholera, a waterborne bacterial scourge that can cause acute diarrhea and fatal dehydration if not treated quickly, has killed nearly 10, 000 people and sickened nearly 800, 000 in Haiti, the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country, since it was introduced there in 2010 by infected Nepalese members of a United Nations peacekeeping force. This year, as of late February, nearly 2, 000 new cases had been reported, amounting to hundreds a week. Studies have traced the highly contagious disease to sloppy sanitation that had leached fecal waste laced with cholera germs from latrines used by the Nepalese peacekeepers into the water supply. “We still have the biggest outbreak of cholera of any country anywhere,” said Dr. Louise Ivers, a senior policy adviser at Partners in Health, an international medical aid organization that has long worked in Haiti. “Here we are, nearly seven years later, and it’s still a big problem. ” Compared with other disasters confronting the United Nations, like the Syria refugee crisis and famines threatening 20 million people in Yemen and parts of Africa, the Haiti crisis may not loom as large. But unlike the others, the direct cause in Haiti was traced to the United Nations. This fact weighed on Mr. Ban until near the end of his tenure. He finally acted after the organization’s independent investigator on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston, said in a scathing report that the United Nations’ failure to take responsibility for the cholera crisis was “morally unconscionable, legally indefensible and politically . ” But Mr. Ban’s apology for Haiti’s cholera epidemic also clearly reflected an assumption that all members were responsible for the success of the new strategy to defeat it. “For the sake of the Haitian people, but also for the sake of the United Nations itself, we have a moral responsibility to act,” he told the General Assembly on Dec. 1. “And we have a collective responsibility to deliver. ” Advocacy groups that had been somewhat heartened by Mr. Ban’s words have grown increasingly anxious not only about the lack of money, but also about the lack of clarity in how the “material assistance and support” part of the plan, which represents half of the $400 million goal, will be used. Two leading advocacy groups for Haitian cholera victims, the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux and the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, sent a letter on Thursday to Mr. Guterres, requesting a meeting and expressing concern that “the current trajectory of and elaboration of the New Approach is betraying the U. N.’s promises of a meaningful and accountable response in Haiti. ” Lawmakers in the United States critical of the United Nations’ response in Haiti have also put pressure on the organization. “While the U. N. has admitted to wrongdoing and promised to create a fund to provide restitution to the people of Haiti victimized by cholera,” Representative John Conyers Jr. Democrat of Michigan, said in a statement last week, “they have failed to make good on these promises. ” | 1 |
Be Sociable, Share! Youtube screenshot
San Diego, CA — James Slatic took every precaution possible to ensure his California medical marijuana business was in full compliance with local, state, and federal laws — and that appropriate taxes and fees, hundreds of thousands each year, were always paid on time.
But despite conducting business professionally and legally, nearly 30 heavily armed San Diego police and DEA agents broke into and destroyed Med-West Distribution, stole all the legal products inside, confiscated his computers and servers — and proceeded to clean out his entire family’s life savings, including the accounts of his high school and college-aged daughters, and his 84-year-old mother’s safety deposit box.
By obstinately refusing to acknowledge Med-West’s legal status, law enforcement used highly contentious federal civil asset forfeiture (CAF) law to rob the Slatics of everything they’d earned — including $324,000 in proceeds from the lucrative medical cannabis business, according to the Institute for Justice (IJ).
“This case is not about crime fighting,” IJ attorney Wesley Hottot, who now represents the Slatics, explained. “This case is about policing for profit, and it illustrates the abusive power of civil forfeiture at its worst.”
As countless families and individuals around the country have been shocked to learn, the State can rob you blind, taking everything of value — bank accounts, vehicles, electronics, and even houses, etc. — without proof any crime has been committed.
James Slatic has never been convicted or charged with any wrongdoing in the matter — but the nightmare of civil asset forfeiture doesn’t end with a lack of charges or conviction. In fact, attempting to reclaim property and cash can be a nightmare of red tape, court appearances and legal fees — and, even then, isn’t always a successful venture. And like so many others, Slatic had not been familiar with this legal, policing-for-profit scheme prior to his firsthand encounter.
“I’ve done nothing wrong,” he told the Institute for Justice. “It’s beyond frustrating that my family’s money was taken without any criminal charges being filed. My wife and teenage daughters had nothing to do with my business whatsoever, and the District Attorney took their college savings accounts. This is not just wrong; it is unconstitutional.”
While he certainly might be right, CAF is federal law — a brief reprieve in January, when the Department of Justice suspended the program, only lasted through early April — because the ability of police to steal people’s stuff and either use it or the proceeds from its sale is just too damned profitable.
Indeed, police and other agencies — particularly the Drug Enforcement Agency — make a killing in this legalized State robbery sham, and many departments have come to rely on CAF profiteering to bolster their funding.
“Civil forfeiture is one of the greatest threats to property rights in the nation,” said IJ attorney Allison Daniel, also representing the Slatic family. “Civil forfeiture takes the American principle of innocent until proven guilty and flips it on its head, treating property owners worse than criminals by making them prove their innocence.”
At 7:30 in the morning on January 28, 2016 — as surveillance cameras outside and inside Med-West captured on video — the San Diego Joint Narcotics Task Force used a sledgehammer to break down the door of Slatic’s legal business, and stormed in, pointing automatic weapons at the heads of innocent employees inside.
Needlessly and recklessly, around 28 officers took everything of value inside, destroying and scattering property in the process.
As Slatic told IJ, in addition to assets stolen from the business, the greedy cops cleared family bank accounts of over $100,000 — leaving his daughters scrambling to pay for school supplies, like college textbooks, while putting their tuition and fees in jeopardy.
Annette Slatic, James’ wife, who works as a nurse at the Veterans Administration, found out about the raid and financial seizure when she tried to pay for groceries that morning and had her card declined. Then her daughter, Penny, a high-schooler, tried to pay using her ATM card — and was also declined. Without notice, the Slatics suddenly found themselves essentially penniless and unsure how to afford basic needs.
Now they’re fighting to get everything back, since under California law, “probable cause” a crime has been committed must be established before officers can use civil asset forfeiture to seize property and cash.
As the Institute for Justice explains, “Because police and prosecutors ignored Med-West’s status as a legal marijuana business, they did not have probable cause to seize the Slatics’ money. Even if Med-West had been an illegal operation (and it was not), the Slatics’ personal money is not connected to the business.”
Perhaps the Slatics will have better luck in getting justice than innumerable others who have been unfortunate enough to be victims of legalized robbery.
Despite massive controversy surrounding the program — and one of its creators now denouncing the policing-for-profit scheme it has become — civil asset forfeiture won’t be going anywhere soon.
While some states have severely curtailed cops’ ability to take your stuff, by implementing strictures requiring a conviction and similar limits, others have taken CAF to new levels. Oklahoma Highway Patrol began using a device called an ERAD , which scans bank and prepaid cards — right from a person’s wallet — to seize all cash in an individual’s account during a traffic stop if an officer even suspects a person of committing a drug-related offense.
“Three decades ago, I helped create our civil asset forfeiture system,” wrote Brad Cates in an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal , “now it’s time to end it.”
This is what it’s like to run a legal business, pay taxes, and follow the law in a Police State:
This is free and open source originally appearing on the Free Thought Project. Be Sociable, Share! | 0 |
0 комментариев 0 поделились Фото: АР
Впервые эта дата в государственном календаре праздников появилась в 2009 году. Какое значение событие имеет сейчас для страны, рассказал Pravda.Ru украинский политолог Владимир Скачко.
— Что этот день означает для нынешней украинской власти?
— Означает то, что в головах нынешних украинских властей не поддающийся лечению когнитивный диссонанс. С одной стороны, они проводят декоммунизацию, обвиняют Советский Союз, в составе которого была Украинская Советская Социалистическая Республика, в развязывании войны. И прославляют ОУН-УПА, союзника гитлеровского вермахта.
А с другой стороны, сегодня они, во главе с президентом и премьер-министром, возлагали цветы к монументам, поздравляли еще живущих ветеранов, вообще жителей страны, в том числе и тех же бандеровцев, с праздником освобождения от немецко-фашистских захватчиков.
Украинская власть никак не может определиться — она потомок советских победителей, или все-таки гитлеровских прихвостней? Тут сложно что-то комментировать. Это чисто политически игра — гнусная, циничная, можно даже сказать, подлая.
Таким образом, украинская власть пытается оправдаться перед теми людьми, которые действительно спасли Украину от фашизма, и которым последние 2,5 года усиленно плюют в душу. Даже не плюют, а вываливают целые составы нечистот.
— То есть это такой "черный день" для администрации Порошенко?
— Да почему "черный", эти люди абсолютно беспринципны. Они одной рукой поглаживают бюст Адольфа Гитлера, другой — поправляют усы на бюсте Иосифа Сталина. Если это приносит им дивиденды, позволяет удерживаться во власти и дальше грабить эту несчастную страну.
Порошенко поздравлял ветеранов УПА и назначил День защитника Отечества на день создания УПА. У нас день рождения этой огромной зондеркоманды является Днем защитника — 14 октября. И буквально через две недели он поздравляет тех, кому стреляли в спину. Это политическая шизофрения — размером в целую страну.
Напомним, ранее Pravda.Ru писала, что Верховная Рада Украины приняла Декларацию памяти и солидарности парламентов Украины, Польши и Литвы по событиям Второй мировой войны. Данный документ не только возлагает на СССР вину за начало Второй мировой войны, но и утверждает, что Ялтинские соглашения лидеров антигитлеровской коалиции, закрепившие победу над фашизмом, стали основой "порабощения всей Восточной и Центральной Европы".
"Пакт Риббентропа-Молотова от 23 августа 1939 года, заключенный между двумя тоталитарными режимами — коммунистическим Советским Союзом и нацистской Германией, привел к взрыву 1 сентября Второй мировой войны, вызванной агрессией Германии, к которой 17 сентября присоединился Советский Союз. Следствием тех событий была оккупация Польши Германией и Советским Союзом, a в 1940 году — советская оккупация Литвы, Латвии и Эстонии. Следствием этого стали массовые репрессии против наших народов", — цитирует документ украинское издание "112".
Читайте последние новости Pravda.Ru на сегодня Украина обвинила СССР в начале Второй мировой войны Поделиться: | 0 |
A home invasion suspect armed with a crowbar was greeted by a Pittsburgh resident armed with a gun and was hospitalized in stable condition after being shot. [The alleged invasion occurred on Monday around 9 pm. According to WPXI, the resident “heard someone rummaging around on the first floor of his home. ” He grabbed a gun and went downstairs, where he found Darrell Bettis. The homeowner ordered Bettis to the ground, at which time police say “Bettis charged at the man and struck him with a crowbar. ” The two men struggled before the resident shot Bettis, striking him in the thigh. Bettis was transported to a hospital in stable condition. Police said he faces charges of “aggravated assault, burglary and criminal mischief. ” He will be placed in the Allegheny County Jail once the hospital releases him. The homeowner received treatment for a head wound from the crowbar. AWR Hawkins is the Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and host of Bullets with AWR Hawkins, a Breitbart News podcast. He is also the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart. com. | 1 |
Islamists around the Arab world celebrated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s victory Sunday in a referendum to give the head of state expanded powers. [The referendum to go forward with executive presidency won with 51. 4% voting in favor. Khaled Mashal, head of Hamas’ politburo in Gaza, spoke with President Erdogan by phone and congratulated him several hours after polling stations closed. A website belonging to Hamas reported that Mashal “wished Turkey and the Turkish people and their leaders continued success, progress and prosperity. ” Islamists and their supporters also celebrated the victory on social media, with many expressing hope that the successful referendum would result in increased support from Erdogan for the opposition in Syria, currently battling the government forces of President Bashar Assad. Abou Baker, a senior Syrian jihadist and commander of the Mujahadeen Army militia fighting Assad in Syria, wrote, “This is a divine reward for Erdogan’s good actions. Allah helped the good man Erdogan, guided his hand, supported him, strengthened his hands and granted him all the best. ” وماجزاءالإحسان الإحسان اللهم كن للرجل الطيب أردوغان ناصرا ونصيرا وعون ومعينااللهم أيده بنصرك وأجر الخير على يديه وهيئ له بطانة صالحةياالله, — المقدم أبو بكر (@bbakr70) April 16, 2017, An Islamist activist known as Ahmad Abu Farha wrote, “The Caliphs were taken from us gradually and they will only return to us gradually, according to Allah’s plan. The human mosquitos won’t be able to delay it or interfere. ” الخلافة الراشدة سلبت منا بالتدريج و لن ترجع لنا الا بالتدريج وفق السنن الربانية في التغيير و ان نواميس الكون لا تعاند و لا تسابق, — أحمد أبو فرحة (@ahmadabufarha21) April 16, 2017, Yasser Zaatreh, a journalist and Islamist in Jordan, wrote, “The strengthening of Erdogan in these delicate times is very important for the maintenance of Turkey’s power both on a regional and international level. At times like this, courage and wisdom are needed along with a lot of reason. ” قوة أردوغان في هذه اللحظة الحساسة على الصعيد الدولي والإقليمي، هي قوة لتركيا. في مثل هذه اللحظات لا بد من قوة وجرأة مع كثير من الحكمة. — ياسر الزعاترة (@YZaatreh) April 17, 2017, Islamist journalist and author Muhamad Alshinqiti wrote, “Secularism in Turkey has been defeated by democracy — as it soon will be in the Arab countries. ” انهزمت العلمانية في تركيا على يد الديمقراطية.. عقبى للدول العربية #استفتاء_تركيا, — محمد مختار الشنقيطي (@mshinqiti) April 16, 2017, Syrian jihadist Abou Rayan Almaasada wrote, “Today the Turks put an end to secularism. The legal changes put an end to what was left of the age of Ataturk and summon in a new age, or more correctly, an old age renewed. God guided their hands. ” اليوم ينجح الاتراك بانهاء العلمانيةتعديلات دستويه تعلن انتهاء ماتبقى من عصر اتاتورك وبداية عهد جديد او ربما عهد قديم يتجدداللهم يسر لهم, — أبوريان المأسدة (@alm2sda) April 16, 2017, Another social media user, Anwar Alsaadi wrote, “The Sultan did this. Congratulations to Turkey which has been granted its Sultan. ” @MousaAlomar فعلها السلطان . مبروك لتركيا سلطانها, — anwar alsaadi (@AnwarSweed) April 16, 2017, | 1 |
Make your movie list, check it twice and master your multiplex. Below, we’ve sifted through the many movie options this season to give you a few ideas on what to go see (and what to avoid) over the holidays. For Families With Young Kids This funny jukebox musical has elephants and porcupines belting out the latest pop songs in total “American Idol” style. It is likely to keep the young ones engaged. And that pig in the track suit singing Lady Gaga should make audiences of all ages giggle. In his New York Times review, Glenn Kenny called it “relentlessly amiable. ” For Families With Older Kids This one is not a tough sell. If they haven’t seen it yet, your kids are probably eager to check out the first movie in this franchise. Since it opened last week, it has been pleasing longtime “Star Wars” fans and helping generate new ones (despite a highly unfavorable review from The Times’s A. O. Scott). It doesn’t shy away from intensity, yet delivers the action and thrills you’d expect to find in this galaxy far, far away. For an Evening With Friends You’ll probably not want to venture out with the family to this dark thriller, but if you’re looking for a movie that will appeal to you and your friends, this film — part pulpy thriller and part contemplative drama — will be of interest. Tom Ford directed, and Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal star. In her review, Manohla Dargis wrote that the film contains “moments of pleasure. ” For an Afternoon With Grandma This uplifting historical drama focuses on the female mathematicians in the NASA space program who were integral in helping John Glenn become the first American to orbit the Earth. Funny, rousing and poignant, it’s kind of film that multiple generations will value. In his review, A. O. Scott wrote, “There is something to be said for a tale with a clear moral and a satisfying emotional payoff. ” For a Reminder of How Much Family Matters Bring the tissues. This harrowing drama is based on the true story of a boy who gets separated from his family and very, very lost. His emotional search years later for his family will make you want to cling a little more tightly to yours. “If you have ever been a child, raised a child, lost a child or met a child — or a mother — this movie will wreck you,” A. O. Scott wrote in his review. For Couples It has Oscar buzz. It has critical love. (A. O. Scott said it “succeeds both as a fizzy fantasy and a fable. ”) But at the end of the day, it’s just plain entertainment: a ’ ’ tale of romance that should make for a fine night out with the one you love. Movies to Watch at Your Own Risk Your heart may have been warmed in the past by Will Smith holiday films like “The Pursuit of Happyness. ” But based on what the critics are saying so far, this one is more like “Seven Pounds. ” With a Rotten Tomato certification currently in the teens, this drama about a man who can’t cope with a family tragedy had our reviewer Manohla Dargis calling it a “waste of talent and time. ” Jennifer Lawrence. Chris Pratt. What could go wrong? According to the critics who have been weighing in on this space romance, a lot. If you’re drawn to the charisma of the leads, understandable, but be forewarned that much ink has been spilled on the problems with the film’s narrative. Our critic Stephen Holden writes that in the end, it “becomes a banal, formulaic pastiche of dozens of other space operas. ” | 1 |
Tuesday 22 November 2016 by Thomas Gane Regretful Brexiter realises he actually just really missed old Top Gear
A previously passionate and angry Brexiter has realised he never really wanted to leave the European Union, and actually just had a lot of pent-up feelings about Top Gear .
Simon Williams, 32, stayed in on Friday evening to watch the first episode of Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond’s new series, The Grand Tour , on Amazon.
Following the programme he was surprised to find himself horrified at the Brexit stories that he had up until this moment aggressively supported.
“After I watched The Grand Tour I felt amazing,” he explained to reporters.
“It was like reaching an itch I’d been desperately trying to scratch for a year and a half.”
“Then I checked the news and it was awful. Leaving the EU is going to have some really horrible consequences for our country, and I think I supported it because I had a lot of unresolved feelings about Top Gear .
“Looking back, I think I actually just wanted to hear Clarkson talk about political correctness, steak and Argies, and the Brexit rhetoric was a surrogate for that.
“It’s a little embarrassing actually” he added. “My mates in the Whatsapp group are feeling the same. Is there anyway we can take it back?”
Professor Scott Chegg from the University of Bristol said this conforms to the ‘safety-valve’ theory of politics.
“In the same way a lefty might read The Guardian or watch a documentary about cetaceans with anxiety issues to feel better about themselves without changing anything, it seems Top Gear was a way for people to let their right-wing grievances out in manageable chunks,” he told us.
“Without Top Gear , the pressure built to a dangerous level before exploding as Brexit.
“It’s like a man who feels very angsty for an unknown reason, starts drinking, gets into a fight, sets his house on fire and steals a car before driving it off a cliff,” Professor Chegg explained.
“If he’d just had a wank and gone to sleep everything would have been fine.”
Reports from social media suggest a similar wave of stomach crushing realisation is happening in America as The Grand Tour gains traction there.
At the time of writing, Mr Williams was ordering Article 50 For Dummies on Amazon Prime.
“I spent £70 on it,” he said. “Best use it for something else.” | 0 |
Attorney General Jeff Sessions told anybody thinking about crossing the United States border illegally to expect to be deported. “[T]his border is not open. If you come to America, come lawfully. Don’t come unlawfully. That’s a huge factor in the decline in the attempts to enter America,” Sessions said Saturday on Fox News Channel’s “Justice. ” He later said, “No person can come into the country illegally and not expect to be deported. I mean, where did this come from?” Follow Trent Baker on Twitter @MagnifiTrent | 1 |
PARIS — If the world does not envy the French enough already for their generous vacations, universal health care and fine food and wine, the arrival of 2017 brings this: a newly created “right to disconnect. ” Though ridiculed in some quarters as a ban on email after hours, it is not quite that. But it is born of the enlightened view that it is actually beneficial for people not to work all the time, and that workers have the right to occasionally draw the line when their employer’s demands intrude on evenings at home, treasured vacations or Sundays with friends and family. “Employees are more and more connected during hours outside of the office,” Myriam El Khomri, the minister of labor, said last year in justifying the need for the law. “The boundary between professional and personal life has become tenuous,” and cases of burnout are becoming more prevalent, she said. The measure is one of a raft of new laws that took effect with the beginning of the new year and that exemplify the search for compromises between preserving French traditions and making concessions to the realities of the modern world. The new provision in the labor law does not ban emails, but does require that companies with more than 50 employees negotiate a new protocol to ensure that work does not spill into days off or hours. Some consultants have recommended that employees and managers avoid the “reply all” function on emails to groups so that only one person is being asked to read an email and respond, rather than half the office. Another approach recommends setting a time each evening after which employees are not expected to reply — several firms have designated the 10 hours between 9 p. m. and 7 a. m. others the 12 hours between 7 p. m. and 7 a. m. As a country with Catholic roots, but also a commitment to personal liberties, France has had an ambivalent approach to divorce. It has long been legal, but not necessarily speedy. A new nod to modernity in French laws eases the rules for people who want to divorce. While historically France has been far more flexible than Ireland or Italy, it still required a judge to rule on each divorce. The procedure routinely took as long as a year, and sometimes far longer, because cases were backed up awaiting the judicial signature. Now, if both members of the couple agree on the divorce, lawyers can draw up the divorce agreement, jointly sign the papers and have them notarized. No judges need be involved. Smoking is another area in which French habits have changed relatively little in recent years — 27 to 28 percent of the population still lights up — but the country is now following many others in requiring “neutral packaging” for tobacco products: Instead of advertising a brand, cigarette packs sport only health warnings and photos of illnesses caused by smoking. At least two new laws demonstrate the country’s gradual move toward more sustainable products. Instead of thin plastic bags, French supermarkets and fruit vendors must substitute either bags made with a synthetic called amidon that is mixed with plastic, a thicker type of plastic bag that could be reused, or paper bags. At Monoprix, a supermarket chain, paper bags have won out and stacks of them perch precariously on stands at the ends of fruit counters. More radical is the edict that went into effect on Sunday banning the use of pesticides in public gardens and along public highways. It promises to make public green spaces safer for birds and other small animals, which are especially vulnerable to the poisons used in pest killers. It will not be easy for the gardeners employed by cities to turn to more sustainable methods. When the city of Lyon abandoned pesticides voluntarily nine years ago, it took quite some time to change the culture, although Lyon is now considered a model. In 2019, the antipesticide law will expand to include amateur gardeners — a challenge not only for the French with backyard rows of dahlias and daisies, but also for those who nurse roses in their window boxes. A new law is sure to please the French because it plays to their immense pride in local comestibles: It allows prepared foods, like frozen dinners, to be labeled “produit d’origine française” only if the item is made with 100 percent French meat or milk. Any product with more than 8 percent foreign meat must say where the animal was born, raised and butchered. A product with more than 50 percent foreign milk must say where it was collected and turned into the product being sold. It seems that the French version of “Made in America” is “Raised in France. ” | 1 |
Conservative author and speaker Ann Coulter has been forced to cancel her speech at UC Berkeley amidst worries for her safety on campus. [Fox Business reports that Coulter has chosen not to ago ahead with her speech at UC Berkeley which was planned for this week. The conservative author caused waves across the college campus when her event was announced and received opposition from the UC Berkeley administration, which at one point banned Coulter, although this ban was later rolled back. Law enforcement sources warned Fox News that there was a “99% chance” of violence on the campus of UC Berkeley if Coulter went ahead with her speech. The Young America’s Foundation group was also forced to pull their support of Coulter’s talk due to security concerns, the group blamed the college administration for allowing radicals to terrorize conservatives on campus. Watch the report from Fox Business below. #BreakingNews: @AnnCoulter cancels UC Berkeley speech. pic. twitter. — FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) April 26, 2017, **UPDATE** Former Breitbart Senior Editor Milo Yiannopoulos declared that he would bring a free speech army to UC Berkeley later this year in a Facebook post following the report of the cancellation of Coulter’s event: **UPDATE** Reuters has confirmed with Coulter that the event has been canceled: “There will be no speech,” Coulter wrote in an email to Reuters on Wednesday in which she also criticized two conservative groups who had originally sponsored the event, saying they were no longer supporting her. “I looked over my shoulder and my allies had joined the other team,” she wrote. “I have no sponsor, no lawyer, no court order,” she added. “I can’t vindicate constitutional rights on my own. I was just supposed to give the speech. ” Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship. Follow him on Twitter @LucasNolan_ or email him at lnolan@breitbart. com | 1 |
Originally appeared at Anti Media
As fighting resumes in Aleppo following a brief ceasefire — and as Russia’s largest naval fleet to sail since the Cold War steams down the English Channel on its way to the western coast of Syria — it’s important, in times when most of the focus is being drawn to one point, to step back and look at the whole board.
Yes, what’s happening in Aleppo is a tragedy. Civilians, women, and children are being blasted out of existence as two superpowers back opposing sides in a proxy war for regional dominance. Yes, as the Russian fleet nears the Mediterranean Sea, tensions will undoubtedly escalate for a number of nations with ties to the Syrian conflict.
But President Vladimir Putin’s moves regarding Aleppo are far from his only ones worth noting of late.
Take Turkey, for instance. Last week, Underground Reporter posited the idea that Turkey, due to its deteriorating relations with the United States and its strengthening cooperation with Russia, has, in effect, become the military wild card in the Middle East. Cited as evidence of deepening Russian-Turkish ties was the fact that the two countries have just signed a deal to build a pipeline from Turkey to Ukraine, which would then supply natural gas to Europe.
Turkey, which is north of Syria, shares much of its southern and all of its eastern border with the Mediterranean Sea. A good portion of Syria’s western border also runs into the Mediterranean, and it’s in those waters where Russian vessels, already hovering there, await the arrival of the aircraft carrier-led fleet now pushing through the English Channel.
All this fits nicely into a narrative that only focuses on what’s happening in Aleppo. But one need only glance at a map to see, using nothing but the eyes and common sense, just how much more is actually taking place right now.
In mid-October, it was reported that, for the first time ever, Russia and Egypt would conduct joint military drills. This followed news that Russia will sell attack helicopters to the North African nation and invest billions in Egyptian infrastructure. These items, along with the fact that Egypt is eager to be re-granted Russian tourism rights for its citizens after recent bad blood between the countries, lead one to the logical conclusion that Egypt has every incentive to cooperate with Russia going forward.
Egypt, in case you’re not looking at that map, is directly across the Mediterranean Sea from Turkey.
This means when the Russian fleet reaches the Mediterranean — whether the intent is to park in those waters and bombard Aleppo, as some believe, or merely to project Russian might to the world, as others suggest — it will be flanked by friendlies on three sides. Turkey to the north, Syrian to the east, and Egypt to the south.
This is not a bad position to be in if you’re looking to build a natural gas pipeline from Turkey to Ukraine. Turkey, incidentally, shares its northern border with the Black Sea, which in turn shares its southern border with Ukraine. And the Black Sea, as those who’ve followed the Ukrainian situation in recent years well know, is swarming with Russian warships.
So, in the bigger picture — assuming Turkey will eventually fully embrace the Russian sphere and that Egypt, as it’s highly incentivized to do, embraces its new role as a Russian satellite — Putin has protected himself quite deftly from those in the West who’ll inevitably, no matter what the fleet does once it arrives, accuse Putin of aggression.
Turkey and Egypt are both formerly staunch U.S. allies, after all, and there’s been no official severing of ties, or even hintsof such, with those nations. So Putin, thanks largely to the West’s own hegemonic maneuvering, has a lot of room to operate in terms of deals and cooperation — both militarily and economically.
In any case, the facts present a narrative — albeit a theoretical one — that isn’t being discussed. Putin, as we speak, may be implementing the first phases of an effort to secure a nice straight shot from Turkey to Ukraine for the long-desired Turkish Stream pipeline. Did you enjoy this article? - Consider helping us! Russia Insider depends on your donations: the more you give, the more we can do. $1 $10 Other amount
If you wish you make a tax-deductible contribution of $1,000 or more, please visit our Support page for instructions Click here for our commenting guidelines On fire | 0 |
A Swedish woman in Dalarna is being prosecuted for hate speech after claiming on Facebook she saw migrants defecating in the streets and setting fire to cars. [According to the prosecution, the woman “expressed a disparaging view of refugees” on Facebook. She stands accused of having taken to the social media website in early July 2015 to make the “derogatory” post, alleging that migrants “set fire to cars, and urinate and defecate on the streets”. Prosecutors in Sweden say the woman’s message violates the nation’s law on incitement to racial hatred (Hets mot folkgrupp, or HMF) a crime with carries a maximum penalty of four years. The accused admitted that she wrote the post but denied committing any criminal act. The evidence against her consists of a screenshot from Facebook, according to local media. People took to Flashback, the net’s largest Swedish language forum, to criticise the state’s decision to prosecute the pensioner, with one poster lamenting the accused “has fallen into the clutches of the politically correct”. A user with the screen name ‘Nospheratu’ pointed out that the original idea behind HMF was “to prevent propaganda by political parties” against demographic groups, with lawmakers “having 1930s Germany in mind” whilst passing laws. The user slammed the law for being used to “prosecute old ladies on the bus” criticising immigrants. Another slammed Sweden for hypocrisy, accusing the nation’s media and politicians of condemning restrictions on freedom of speech and expression in other countries “while themselves engaging in the worst kinds of witch hunts of dissidents”. Sweden’s Justice Minister Morgan Johansson cited freedom of speech when he rejected Gothenburg police chief Erik Nord’s suggestion that the country deports Islamic migrants, after the Islamist terror attack in Stockholm last month. “We have freedom of speech in Sweden. This means people have the right to hold repulsive opinions here,” said Johansson. “But there are always limits … For example when it comes to hate speech,” added the minister, who called Nord’s policy suggestion “problematic” and demanded the police chief “explain himself”. | 1 |
Corporate Army smashes Dakota barbarians near lucrative pipeline By hatesec , on October 28th, 2016 Faceless marauders crushed a Native Rebellion on Friday that threatened to impede construction of a sweet new oil pipeline across the Northern US.
Citing unfounded claims that oil pipelines leak into water supplies , opposition forces escalated their protest into a mounted assault that led to the injury of at least a few of their horses.
The sheriff’s department participated in the defense, having pledged allegiance to the neoliberal javelin of law, and vowed to smash savagery at its root, even if it means cleansing.
“Ethnic cleansing is not a word I like to use, because it evokes images of holocaust and genocide,” he said. “But we must leave all options on the table.”
Dakota Access Pipeline is projected to be profitable as FUCK and totally keep oil prices low as shit, y’all, so chill. Get those bad thoughts out of your heads. It’s gonna be DANK once that fucker gets built. I’m talking $1.99 per gallon until something like 2020! 93 octane!
Emporor Obama is watching the situation closely from his data-bath panoptisphere. Share this article | 0 |
By Jonas E. Alexis on October 29, 2016 We witnessed the collapse of Iraq and Libya. Syria was supposed to be next, but the process was clearly stopped by Russia. Vladimir Golstein …by Jonas E. Alexis and Vladimir Golstein
Vladimir Golstein holds his M.S. in computer science from the Moscow Institute of Management, his B.A. in Philosophy from Columbia University, and his Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures from Yale University. His scholarly interests embrace Russian culture, religion, philosophy, and poetry of the past two centuries, as well as the current foreign policy issues. He is currently Professor of Slavic Studies at Brown University.
Golstein is putting together two scholarly monographs: one on the conflict of generations in Russia and another on the use of musical communication in a literary text. His recent study is Lermontov’s Narratives of Heroism (Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press, 2012). He is well-known in the scholarly world. [1] His articles have been featured on Forbes , The Nation , the Kyiv Post , Al Jazeera , and other news outlets. [2]
JEA : In your recent article, you write that the mass media and its “ newspaper titles sound like a commercial for the upcoming Invasion of the Body Snatchers sequel. The Washington Post announces: ‘Russia Is Now a Threat. The US Should Treat It Like One.’ Time magazine raises the stakes: “Russia Wants to Undermine Faith in the U.S. Election.”
Why all this propaganda? Is it because Putin is obliterating ISIS in Syria? If the United States made a deal with the famous mass murderer in the twentieth century (Joseph Stalin), how is it that United States cannot come up with a reasonable solution with Russia? Unpack those issues for us.
VG : Unfortunately, the old and necessarily skills of diplomacy, along with the concrete knowledge of Russia and its capabilities, have been thrown out of the window during the last twenty years or so. The US, happy with its dominant position, has decided to deal with other countries in the form of dictates, orders, and directives. It was presumed that other countries, like Russia, were simply not in the position to resist or negotiate, so why bother.
Consequently, we have a bunch of rather ignorant ideologues in the State Department, and equally ignorant scriveners in the mass media, who simply act upon the latest policy paper received from the top floor and then spin it to the public.
When this policies encounter a setback, like in the situations with Georgia in 2008, or Ukraine in 2014, and now Syria, the only thing this crowd does is to throw a fit, in the manner of the US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power .
What drives these histrionics is the real failure to access the situation properly and negotiate with Russia. There is a strong conviction among the policy makers in Washington that Russia lost the Cold War, and therefore should know its place.
Russia’s refusal to play along clearly throws a monkey wrench into the schemes cooked up by the State Department and its think-tanks. Yet, they cannot come up with any new viable policy, resorting to the same strategies and the same accusations that has already failed them.
So the frustration associated with failure appears to be the main reason for the recent wave of Russophobia. However, one should add that once this wave has been raised, a lot of people want to ride it.
Hillary wants to ride it into the White House, blaming her opponent on being on cozy terms with Russia; Pentagon and NATO want to ride it, in order to justify its expansion; newspapers want to ride it, because having enemy and decrying its faults is good for business; economists and politicians want to ride it, because it serves as a distraction from the failing economy.
JEA: You cite flaming Neocon Max Boot saying that “Our democracy is under attack by Russia, but almost no one is treating the situation with the gravity it deserves.” Boot is the Neocon hoodlum who admitted that the United States has been supporting the Syrian rebels/terrorists through Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Jordan. [3]
Elliott Abrams, another Neocon, conceded the point that the Jihadists in Syria have committed serious terrorist crimes. [4] But that again does not bother Boot at all. Why is that? Why do these people always want to spread bloodshed all over the Middle East? Haven’t enough people died already?
It appears to me that what drives these people is the desire to weaken the Middle East, or at least, these parts of it, that don’t want to play along with Washington. Whatever it takes to weaken a government of such resisting country is fine for these policy makers: it might be terrorists, or religious fanatics, as long as they create tensions within the country, it is fine for these neocons. Consequently, we witnessed the collapse of Iraq and Libya. Syria was supposed to be next, but the process was clearly stopped by Russia.
Russia recognized what was in store for Syria, because it has already witnessed the same scenario being unfolded during the so-called Arab Spring. During the Arab Spring the legitimate grievances of an educated pro-western group of people were harnessed to the militancy of the religious zealots in order to overthrow the government and produce civil strife.
Furthermore, Russia witnessed the neocons’ modus operandi succeeding in Ukraine, when the fanatical nationalists from the Western Ukraine joined the naïve, English speaking youth, and orchestrated the putsch in Kiev, ousting the legally elected president, and installing the power willing to follow western “recommendations.”
Frustrated and insulted by this radical regime change on its own border, the regime change that resulted in thousands deaths and more than a million refugees from the Eastern Ukraine who refused to follow the orders from Kiev, Russia has decided that enough is enough. It just simply can’t afford to let US and its coalition to dismantle all Russia’s former allies and friends.
Neocons, it should be stressed, did not invent this strategy; they seem to follow the old maxim of Zbigniew Brzezinski, that any ally is good as long as it helps in weakening and defeating Russia. Thus, the ally was found: Osama Bin Laden and his group of radicals, ready to take on the Russians in Afghanistan.
What also is rather curious is that the US finds it difficult to deal with the civic governments, be it in Afghanistan, or Lybia, or Iraq. They prefer to enter into the contact with the religious fanatics, allowing them to pursue their religious dreams, while US companies introduce their materialist policies and controls over the natural resources.
The division of labor so to speak: fanatics pray or chop heads, while US companies count their profits. The civilian government, on the other hand, might want to take control over resources, as they tried to do in Iran in 1953 , [5] or might try to have their independent foreign policy; both of these aspects seem to be unacceptable to the neocon policy makers.
JEA: Israel’s Defense Ministry Amos Gilad once made the claim in 2013 that there is a growing presence of al-Qaeda elements among the so-called Syrian rebels, and those jihadists are “waiting for the opportunity to take over the state.”
But Gilad absolved himself from any moral responsibility by saying that this element is a very small price to pay, particularly “with the menace posed by the Iran-Syrian-Hezbollah axis before the Syrian civil war…”
Gilad unapologetically said, “with all due respect to that threat, [the al-Qaeda element] is not the same threat as one posed by Iran, Syria and Hezbollah together, which is much more difficult.” [6]
Why would these people prefer to sleep and commune with terrorists in the region as opposed to making a reasonable deal with Russia? Doesn’t that mean that these people are completely mad and are not acting on a rational point of view? And doesn’t it suggest that that Russophobia has no moral and political ground and is therefore imploding?
VG: I find Israel to be as obsessed with Iran as much as the US does. Frankly, I cannot understand this obsession and paranoid fear. Consequently, Israelis appear to be more afraid of Iran than of the violent and murderous fanatics that have already destroyed two countries and continue to terrorize several more. Israel’s rivalry with Syria is also dictated by this fear of “hostile” Iran taking over Syria, thus threatening Israel through the Golan Heights.
Iran, historically, have been very friendly with the Jews, [7] so I don’t see any reasons for Israel not to try to negotiate with both Iran and Russia (and Turkey) for the lasting peace in the Middle East.
Furthermore, I am sure that there are a lot of people in Israel who understand that. But they also understand that the powerful alliance between Saudis and United States does not want that. These two countries, Saudis in particular, don’t want to see Iran succeed anywhere. And Israel, since it depends on the US for its giant military aid, is not in the position to challenge Washington.
So to keep its military aid from the US flowing, Israel is forced to play the role of the attack dog against Iran. Consequently, I believe that the tensions and violence in Middle East will continue until Saudis and the US continue to treat Iran in the same manner as the EU and the US continue to treat Russia – as some sort of a rogue state, rather than a legitimate powerful country with its own proud history, culture, political system, and international interests.
JEA: Great assessment. With respect to Iran and the Jews, the entire Zionist media and the propaganda industry have it completely wrong. For example, Ciamak Morsadegh, a newly elected Iranian and Jewish parliamentarian in the country, debunked Benjamin Netanyahu and the Zionist Mafia by saying:
“Benjamin Netanyahu and the anti-Semites need each other: they supply each other with what they need – intolerance and hatred. It is an unspoken alliance which suits them, but it causes great harm to the rest of us.” [8]
Netanyahu himself has capitalized on this “unspoken alliance,” otherwise he would not have said the following right after the 9/11 attack:
“We are benefiting from one thing, and that is the attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon, and the American struggle in Iraq.” [9]
All those wars in the Middle East, added Netanyahu, “swung American public opinion in our favor.” [10] Back in 2001, the New York Times itself reported: “Asked tonight what the attack meant for relations between the United States and Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, the former prime minister, replied, ‘It’s very good.’ Then he edited himself: ‘’Well, not very good, but it will generate immediate sympathy.’” [11]
If that is not diabolical, then nothing is. As we have reported elsewhere, the war in Iraq alone will cost America at least six trillion dollars, [12] and that doesn’t even include innocent civilians and decent people who have lost their precious lives in the process. [13]
Like John Milton’s Satan in Paradise Lost , Netanyahu and indeed the entire New World Order system have adopted an essentially diabolical ideology which basically says, “Evil, be thou my good.” [14] What we are seeing again and again is that the Ayatollah Khomeini was right on target when he launched the “Great Satan” to describe the covert activities of the Zionist Mafia. [15]
[1] See Andrew Kahn, ed., The Cambridge Companion to Pushkin (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006), 87; Robin Feuer Miller, The Brothers Karamazov: Worlds of the Novel (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008), xvi; Ilia Dorontchenkov, ed., Russian and Soviet Views of Modern Western Art, 1890s to Mid-1930s (Berkley: University of California Press, ), xiv; Irina Paert, Spiritual Elders: Charisma and Tradition in Russian Orthodoxy (Dekalb, IL: Northern Illinois University Press, 2010), 248; Olga Tabachnikova, Anton Chekhov Through the Eyes of Russian Thinkers: Vasilii Rozanov, Dmitrii Merezhkovskii and Lev Shestov (New York and London: Anthem Press, 2012), chapter 8.
[2] Vladimir Golstein, “Why Everything You’ve Read About Ukraine Is Wrong,” Forbes , May 19, 2014; “Western Media Coverage of the Ukraine Crisis Is as Distorted as Soviet Propaganda,” The Nation , May 22, 2014; “Why do they hate Russia?,” Al Jazeera , March 8, 2014.
[3] Max Boot, “The Missing Element in Western Aid to the Syrian Rebels,” Commentary , March 27, 2013.
[4] Elliott Abrams, “Syria’s European Jihadis,” National Review , March 28, 2013.
[5] See Stephen Kinzer, All the Shah’s Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2003 and 2008); Ervand Abrahamian, The Coup: 1953, the CIA, and the Roots of Modern U.S.-Iranian Relations (New York: The New Press, 2015).
[6] Herb Keinon, “Gilad: Syria Poses New, ‘Difficult’ Challenges to Israel,” Jerusalem Post , April 2, 2013.
[7] See for example Kim Sengupta, “Iran’s Jews on life inside Israel’s ‘enemy state’: ‘We feel secure and happy,’” Independent , March 17, 2016; “Iran’s Hassan Rouhani Tweets ‘Shana Tova’ to Jews,” Jewish Daily Forward , September 14, 2015; Thomas Erdbrink, “Iran Delivers Surprise, Money, to Jewish Hospital,” NY Times , February 6, 2014; “Report: Rohani Gives $400,000 to Tehran’s Jewish Hospital,” Haaretz , February 6, 2014; see also “Iran’s Jews reject cash offer to move to Israel,” Guardian , July 12, 2007; “Iranian Jews Blast Offer of Cash for Immigrating to Israel,” Haaretz , July 14, 2007;
[8] Kim Sengupta, “Iran’s Jews on life inside Israel’s ‘enemy state’: ‘We feel secure and happy,’” Independent , March 17, 2016
[9] “Report: Netanyahu Says 9/11 Terror Attacks Good for Israel,” Haaretz , April 16, 2008.
[10] Ibid.
[11] James Bennett, “A DAY OF TERROR: THE ISRAELIS; Spilled Blood Is Seen as Bond That Draws 2 Nations Closer,” NY Times , September 12, 2001.
[12] Ernesto Londono, “Study: Iraq, Afghan war costs to top $4 trillion,” Washington Post , March 28, 2013; Bob Dreyfuss, The $6 Trillion Wars,” The Nation , March 29, 2013; “Iraq War Cost U.S. More Than $2 Trillion, Could Grow to $6 Trillion, Says Watson Institute Study,” Huffington Post , May 14, 2013; Mark Thompson, “The $5 Trillion War on Terror,” Time , June 29, 2011; “Iraq war cost: $6 trillion. What else could have been done?,” LA Times , March 18, 2013.
[13] See for example Mark Kukis, Voices from Iraq: A People’s History, 2003-2009 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2011).
[14] John Milton, Paradise Lost (New York: Dover Publications, 2005), 71.
[15] E. Michael Jones, “The Great Satan and Me: Reflections on Iran and Postmodernism’s Faustian Pact,” Culture Wars , July/August, 2015. Related Posts: | 0 |
RIO DE JANEIRO — Federal prosecutors in Brazil filed corruption charges Wednesday against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the former president who has wielded influence across Latin America for decades, portraying him as the mastermind of a sprawling graft scheme intended to maintain his party’s grip on the presidency. Deltan Dallagnol, a prosecutor, called Mr. da Silva the “ultimate commander” of bribery and kickback schemes that allowed his leftist Workers’ Party to build coalitions in Congress, describing him as “the general” at the helm. The actual charges against Mr. da Silva, who was president from 2003 to 2010, focus on a much narrower claim: Prosecutors accuse Mr. da Silva and his wife of illegally receiving about $1. 1 million in improvements and expenses for a beachfront apartment paid for by a large construction company seeking public contracts. But beyond the specific charges, which must still be accepted by a judge, the prosecutors said Mr. da Silva had been instrumental in a bigger corruption scheme that has thrown Brazil’s political system into turmoil for more than two years. In their complaint on Wednesday, prosecutors contended that Mr. da Silva had overseen a system of illicit payments, kickbacks and campaign donations in which the construction company O. A. S. paid as much as $26 million to obtain contracts from Brazil’s oil giant, Petrobras. The prosecutors did not claim that Mr. da Silva personally pocketed that money. Instead, they asserted that it went to oil executives, Workers’ Party leaders and lawmakers in the governing coalition to help maintain the party’s grip on power. The prosecutors are now demanding that Mr. da Silva return that amount of money to public coffers. The charges and broader allegations are a major blow to Mr. da Silva, adding to a mounting list of legal problems that have complicated his ambitions of returning to the presidency. Just a few years ago, Mr. da Silva, a former labor leader who never finished elementary school, ranked among Brazil’s most powerful politicians. His party held the president’s office for 13 years, overseeing a period of brisk economic growth during which millions were lifted out of poverty. But bribery scandals and a severe economic crisis have tarnished his legacy, ending with the ouster of his handpicked successor, Dilma Rousseff, who was removed by the Senate in August in a contentious impeachment trial. Prosecutors in São Paulo had already filed corruption charges against Mr. da Silva at the state level in March, arguing that he had sought to conceal his ownership of the apartment. Mr. da Silva will also stand trial on charges of obstructing the investigation into the bribery scheme surrounding the national oil company, Petrobras, a federal judge ruled last month. Nearly 40 politicians and business leaders have been jailed since prosecutors discovered the Petrobras scheme in 2014. In all, investigators say that contractors paid nearly $3 billion in bribes to executives at the oil giant, who pocketed some of the gains while also channeling funds to politicians in the governing coalition led by the Workers’ Party. Mr. da Silva and his lawyers have repeatedly said that he did nothing illegal in relation to the apartment in Guarujá, a seaside city near São Paulo. But investigators said O. A. S. a large Brazilian construction company, had illegally paid for a series of improvements at the property. Prosecutors also filed corruption charges against the former chief executive of O. A. S. Mr. da Silva’s lawyers, Cristiano Zanin Martins and Roberto Teixeira, said in a statement that the charges and the broader allegations “attack the democratic rule of law and the intelligence of Brazilian citizens,” and that their client was innocent. The charges were filed after months of simmering tension related to Mr. da Silva’s legal battles. Federal Police agents raided his home in March and briefly held him for questioning. After that, Ms. Rousseff, the president at the time, offered him a cabinet post that would have given him broad legal protections from being jailed. But Brazil’s Supreme Court blocked the nomination. Rui Falcão, the president of the Workers’ Party, described the latest charges as an effort to hamper Mr. da Silva’s involvement in politics. Mr. da Silva has signaled that he plans to run for president again in 2018, and polls have placed him among the leading contenders. “These charges were expected as part of an effort to criminalize Lula,” Mr. Falcão said. The amount of money that Mr. da Silva is accused of receiving in the form of an apartment upgrade pales in comparison with what others have been accused of pocketing in recent years. Eduardo Cunha, the conservative former speaker of the lower house of Congress, who orchestrated the effort to oust Ms. Rousseff, is charged with taking as much as $40 million in bribes and laundering them through an evangelical megachurch. And Sérgio Machado, a former chief executive of a Petrobras unit who was a member of the centrist party of Brazil’s new president, Michel Temer, has agreed to return more than $20 million in bribes. Brazil’s entire political system is struggling to react to the steady drip of charges and revelations from various bribery scandals. The new administration of Mr. Temer, the former vice president who engaged in a bitter power struggle with Ms. Rousseff, is facing dismal approval ratings and doubts about its legitimacy after various cabinet ministers were forced out of their posts over reports that they were seeking to stymie corruption inquiries. Mr. Temer’s former attorney general, Fábio Medina Osório, claimed over the weekend that he had been fired after seeking damages from construction companies involved in the Petrobras scheme. Mr. Medina Osório told the magazine Veja that Mr. Temer’s government was seeking to “smother” the inquiry, which is popularly known as Car Wash, after a gas station in Brasília that a money dealer used to launder bribes and kickbacks. Heightening the sense of distrust, some figures involved in the scheme have been secretly recording one another, with the idea of using the information to reach plea deals with prosecutors. | 1 |
Editorial by Dr. David Duke –
Trump appoints men who will take America back!
President-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of Bannon Flynn, and Sessions are the first steps in the long and arduous project of taking America back.
Trump Chief Strategist Bannon has repeatedly exposed the vicious war on White people on his Breitbart website.
National Security Head Flynn realizes that America’s foreign policy has been downright traitorous with the support of the radical Jihadists of Saudi Arabia, over our natural allies the Christian, Muslim and moderate secularists of Syria. He also understands that Putin of “Christian Russia” should not be our enemy but our ally. He is an avowed enemy of the Jewish warmonger traitors called “Neocons” and they in turn intensely hate this U.S. Army General who truly puts America First.
Attorney General Sessions has been hated for years by the Jewish-dominated media for his opposition to massive immigration into America and for the fact that he has dared to publicly oppose the massive, institutionalized racial discrimination against white people called affirmative action.
During his U.S. Senate confirmation hearings Senators should demand that he expose the blatant media and political blather of “equal rights and opportunity” when white people face massive racial discrimination as well as a media hate campaign against the people whose ancestors created America!
We must demand the protection of the civil rights of all Americans including white people! Everyone must be judged on their merit and not the unfair and destructive anti-white affirmative action racist policies that dominate major corporations, Federal, State, and city governments, colleges and educational institutions.
Bravo President Trump! Some Great First Steps! | 0 |
Today, an ever increasing number of earthquakes in the United States may soon bring the country to ruin, as geologists, journalists and politicians say.
Via UsualRoutine
The University of Washington has already presented seismological charts showing a gigantic geological rift that stretches across the central states of the US from north to south, and marks the region of a possible split of the North America continent in two. As it has been reported by geologists, for the first time this anomaly was discovered in 1960’s, when scientists found a strange underground rupture along the Lake Superior that would run south. The discovery surprised American scientists back then since there were no mountains in that area. Following studies showed that this anomaly was stretching across the whole continent, resembling in its form and shape the giant cracks in the east of Africa.
It’s been reported that the tectonic plate beneath the southeastern regions of the United States is being fragmented by the layers of earth above it, which may be the cause of future earthquakes in the Washington area and other cities on the east coast, where basically no preconditions for the emergence of aftershocks, according to Live Science.
According to Berk Biryol from the University of North Carolina, in recent years the Washington area and the areas around other large cities in the east of the country faced a pretty intense seismic activity, which at first puzzled seismologists since the east of the country is residing on a stable continental crust that must prevent any earthquake from occurring.
In recent years, the relationship between fracturing and the mounting number of earthquakes has been brought to light by the US Geological Survey (USGS), that would note that the number of earthquakes in the US has increased drastically over the last six years. In fact, it expects an abrupt increase in the number of seismic events in some regions of the country where fracturing is being used including Oklahoma, California, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Ohio, Alabama and New Mexico.
But the split in the United States is not being predicted by the USGS alone, since the recent seismic political events aggravated the growing discord within the US society in the wake of the US presidential campaign.
Western journalists are sounding the alarm – America’s youth is now fascinated with the concepts of socialism and communism. According to the poll conducted by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOC), a half of all Americans under 35 years would love to be represented by a socialist president. Politicians who profess capitalist views doonly receive the support of 42% of the younger American generation. This explains the spectacular rise of DNC’s Bernie Sanders which would most certainly become the next president, if Hillary didn’t use her wealth and connections to replace him as the sole Democratic candidate.
The German newspaper Tagesspiegel points out that this election campaign “undermines the belief that most Americans share the idea about living in a democratic and constitutional state.” The newspaper notes that there’s been a lot of speculations about the possible armed resistance to the “US corrupt government system” lately, no matter how unlikely the future post-election violence may look now.
The latest poll conducted by USA Today and Suffolk University shows that only 40% of potential voters strongly believe in the peaceful transfer of power after the US presidential elections. With six in ten viewing the candidates unfavorably, Clinton andTrump are the two most unpopular presidential candidates in ABC/Post polls dating to the 1984 election. This ABC News/Washington Post poll was conducted by landline and cellular telephone in English and Spanish, among a random national sample of 1,165 likely voters.
The level of antipathy towards the two main presidential candidates in terms of party affiliation has also been at staggering level, with 97% of Trump supporters despising Hillary Clinton and 95% of Hillary’s loathing the Republican presidential candidate.
It’s no wonder that there’s been a rapidly increasing number of petitions on the separation of various states, which refer to the Declaration of Independence, where the Founding Fathers explicitly stated that “any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it” To date, the petitions on the separation from the US have been filled by a total of 40 states. Texas that is viewed as the last bastion of conservatism has already gathered more than 100 thousand signatures under its petition for obtaining the status of an independent state. Behind it are Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.
Therefore, aside from the major geological rift that may soon hit the US, there’s a deep social and political rift to be observed, which may, in case of loss of all confidence in the existing political system result in a major outbreak of violence.
Earth has already witnessed the existence of two supercontinent – Rodinia and Pangaea. First, the former continent formed about 800 million years ago, until the latter one appeared some 600 million years later. Scientists expect that in the future a new supercontinent will be formed that has it own name already – Amasia. This continent will be formed out of the modern North America and Asia, notes the Nature.
Who knows, maybe before Amasia even emerges we will witness a new state or even two that would replace the US?
| 0 |
Dear Madam: Maybe I should have let it go. Turned the other cheek. We had just gotten out of church, and I was with my family and some friends on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. We were going to lunch, trying to see if there was room in the Korean restaurant down the street. You were in a rush. It was raining. Our stroller and a gaggle of Asians were in your way. But I was, honestly, stunned when you yelled at us from down the block, “Go back to China!” I hesitated for a second and then sprinted to confront you. That must have startled you. You pulled out your iPhone in front of the Equinox and threatened to call the cops. It was comical, in retrospect. You might have been charged instead, especially after I walked away and you screamed, “Go back to your fucking country. ” “I was born in this country!” I yelled back. It felt silly. But how else to prove I belonged? This was not my first encounter, of course, with racist insults. Ask any and they’ll readily summon memories of schoolyard taunts, or disturbing encounters on the street or at the grocery store. When I posted on Twitter about what happened, an avalanche of people replied back to me with their own experiences. But for some reason — and, yes, it probably has to do with the political climate right now — this time felt different. Walking home later, a pang of sadness welled up inside me. You had on a nice rain coat. Your iPhone was a 6 Plus. You could have been a fellow parent in one of my daughters’ schools. You seemed, well, normal. But you had these feelings in you, and, the reality is, so do a lot of people in this country right now. Maybe you don’t know this, but the insults you hurled at my family get to the heart of the experience. It’s this persistent sense of otherness that a lot of us struggle with every day. That no matter what we do, how successful we are, what friends we make, we don’t belong. We’re foreign. We’re not American. It’s one of the reasons that Fox News segment the other day on Chinatown by Jesse Watters, with the karate and nunchucks and broken English, generated so much outrage. My parents fled mainland China for Taiwan ahead of the Communist takeover. They came to the United States for graduate school. They raised two children, both of whom went to Harvard. I work at The New York Times. Model minority, indeed. Yet somehow I still often feel like an outsider. And I wonder if that feeling will ever go away. Perhaps, more important, I wonder whether my two daughters who were with me today will always feel that way too. Yes, the outpouring of support online was gratifying. But, afterward, my who witnessed the whole thing, kept asking my wife, “Why did she say, ‘Go back to China?’ We’re not from China. ” No, we’re not, my wife said, and she tried to explain why you might have said that and why people shouldn’t judge others. We’re from America, she told my daughter. But sometimes people don’t understand that. I hope you do now. Sincerely, Michael Luo | 1 |
His routine is the same every day. Before going outside, Leroy Bracey recites Psalms 121, a daily reassurance that God is protecting him wherever he goes. Mr. Bracey has myopic degeneration, a congenital retinal condition that has worsened his vision with age, especially in recent years. Navigating New York City’s streets has become increasingly treacherous. “People and locations are like a fog, a blur,” Mr. Bracey, 49, said. “I don’t see faces, unless I’m really close and I can smell your breath. ” He has had close calls with cars, even more with bicycles, only to be saved by the blaring of horns or screeching of tires. A few times, he said, a sixth sense has halted him. As a way to preserve his freedom, Mr. Bracey carries around three tools: a small telescope worn around his neck, used to spot street signs and locate bus stops a magnifying glass kept in his pocket for reading and in his hand, a folding cane. “These three things I carry with me just like my wallet,” he said. “I want to sustain as much independence as I can. ” Blindness is not his only limitation. Mr. Bracey has been homeless since March. He has a temporary home at the St. Anthony Shelter for Renewal in the Bronx, an affiliate of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York, one of the eight agencies supported by The New York Times’s Neediest Cases Fund. Before that, he lived with his mother. But their relationship grew too turbulent for Mr. Bracey to stay with her. His steadfast companion is his Bible, a edition he keeps in his knapsack. The Gospel is his source of boundless solace and solutions. It reminds him that God will always make a way, and, he says, he is a recipient of God’s grace. After arriving at St. Anthony, Mr. Bracey was connected with multiple social services, including programs for the blind and the homeless. Catholic Charities Guild for the Blind has provided him with a caseworker and enrolled him in employment training classes. Mr. Bracey has worked several jobs, including in telemarketing and sales, but he has been out of work for several years. Of adults who are blind, only 40 percent are employed, according to the National Federation for the Blind. The Bible tells him he deserves the chance to contribute in some way, recalling 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. ” “I would love to work,” Mr. Bracey said. Unable to find employment, Mr. Bracey’s monthly income comes in the form of assistance: $235 from Supplemental Security Income, $518 from Social Security, $87 from New York State disability and $189 in food stamps. His top priority is to secure permanent public housing for people with disabilities. His name is on waiting lists. In August, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York used $324 in Neediest Cases funds to pay for a MetroCard and three months of phone and laundry bills. Not one to sit idle, Mr. Bracey takes to the streets daily, though he tends to stay in areas he knows, usually around 14th Street near his eye doctor, whom he takes the bus to visit every other month. “I never liked to be told I couldn’t do certain things,” he said. “I know my heart, I know my mind and I know my faith. ” During the past few months, his vision has continued to deteriorate as objects now appear even more blurry, but Mr. Bracey said he had never felt safer about town, thanks to a cane the Guild for the Blind gave him a few months ago. “I thought it might slow me down or make me feel, in my mind, less than what I am,” he said. “But it’s given me more confidence. ” It also serves as a warning to drivers and bicyclists who he may not notice. The change in seasons brings new constraints. As the days get shorter during fall and winter, the lack of sunlight limits his independence. He does not stay out after dark and avoids the dimly lit subway system, venturing underground only to refill his MetroCard to use on the bus. “I prefer having stronger faith than stronger vision,” Mr. Bracey said. The Bible reminds him to remain hopeful, despite his setbacks. He often turns to the plight of Job, who suffered greatly only to be blessed by God in the end. “I know God has something great in store for me,” Mr. Bracey said. | 1 |
November 21st, 2016 - Fort Russ News -
Rossia 1 - Translated by Inessa Sinchougova
The exchange took place at the 2016 APEC Summit, held in Lima, Peru.
Follow us on Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter!
Donate! | 0 |
Democrats Attack Poll Watchers, Grassroot Voter Fraud Investigation Hacked, Gerald Celente Goes Off On Hillary Voters by IWB · October 27, 2016 Tweet
Roger Stone breaks down how the left have been attacking and subverting the efforts to keep a close on the election.
Roger Stone talks about what’s been happening with his attempts to monitor and keep the election honest.
Gerald Celente talks with Alex Jones about just how evil Hillary Clinton is and what that means for the people that might vote for her.
Hillary Zombies Attack Trump Supporter At Polling Station! | 0 |
THE DAILY SHOW (THE BOOK) An Oral HistoryBy Chris SmithIllustrated. 459 pp. Grand Central Publishing. $30. After an election in which facts could be oh so elusive, it’s instructive to look back to 2003. That’s when several “Daily Show” staff members heard a speech from President George W. Bush that directly contradicted things the presidential candidate George W. Bush had said about foreign policy. It dawned on them to pull old tape and set up a mock debate in a split screen: Bush versus Bush. It was a breakthrough for Jon Stewart’s show. “If we, as basically stoner comedy people, could remember it, how was it possible that the actual media couldn’t remember it, or didn’t care, or didn’t think it was important?” Ben Karlin, a former producer of the show, says. That’s one valuable anecdote in this exhaustive oral history, which traces the sprint that turned “The Daily Show” from a cable presentation into a vital institution in American politics and the media. The book, compiled by the New York magazine contributing editor Chris Smith, rides through moments of history like the 2000 recount, Sept. 11, the 2004 election and the Obama years, explaining how all of it altered and refined “The Daily Show” with Stewart at the helm. As in other show tales, the best stories here involve contract talks. And the book breaks plenty of news. It reveals that in 2012, negotiations for Stewart and Stephen Colbert — whose show “The Colbert Report” followed “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central — became so tense, both stars temporarily quit. The appointed villain is Philippe Dauman, former chairman of Comedy Central’s parent company, Viacom. Colbert was ready to stay through the 2016 election, but Dauman refused. (That worked out well for Colbert, who in 2014 was hired to replace David Letterman on CBS. “Thank God they said no,” he says.) Stewart also blames Viacom for botching the chance to sign John Oliver as his replacement before Oliver left for his successful HBO show. But delicious stories like these — the lifeblood of any oral history — can also be fleeting. When the journalists James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales paired up to compile oral histories of “Saturday Night Live” and ESPN, there were tales of sex and drugs. But “The Daily Show” was a different animal. “The drug stories are pretty lame,” Elliott Kalan, a writer on the show, tells Smith. “The sex stories are pretty lame. ” The “Daily Show” staff was, instead, mostly . There are allusions to unhappiness in the writers’ room because of Stewart’s autocratic rule, with one producer saying “plenty of people” would describe Stewart as a tyrant. But the producer in question wasn’t one of them, and only rarely does any actual bitterness spill onto the page. Instead, there’s space dedicated to grindingly banal details like how morning and afternoon meetings were crucial to the show’s success. One producer is quoted discussing the pride she took in organizing a staff clambake and wine tasting. The book’s tone can be a bit too. After “The Daily Show” wins one of its first Emmy Awards, Smith writes that despite their commercial and critical success, “Stewart and the staff, to a remarkable degree, stayed focused on the task of creating 160 or so shows each year. ” Still, the book is a valuable reminder of the show’s role in introducing an era of in American politics. Producers recount seeing a politician lie on CNN, only to have the reporter respond, “Well, we’ll have to leave it there” — a occurrence. “The Daily Show” ran a segment holding both the politician and the network accountable. “I think Jon’s joke was, ‘Don’t leave it there. There is a terrible place to leave it! ’’u200a” the producer Ramin Hedayati tells Smith. “Now when something crazy happens on CNN, there are five blogs that flag it. Back then, it was either us or no one. ” | 1 |
A media lecturer at Stratford College was set upon by a group of Muslim males and sent tumbling into a freezing canal while out jogging in Birmingham for, he believes, “being white” on January 15th. [The Stratford Observer reports that Lee Skinner was running along the canal side near Yardley Road, Acocks Green in the middle of the afternoon when one of the group suddenly struck him full force in the face, knocking him into the icy waters. The Daily Mirror records how Skinner was “able to identify them as Pakistani as I’ve worked in Muslim communities and have a detailed knowledge of Islam and speak Arabic to a certain level”. The lecturer described how the blow sent him “up into the air and into the water. I sank and was completely submerged, my feet were not touching the bottom. ” Skinner was not knocked completely unconscious and drowned, fortunately, but a police spokesman said he was “prevented from getting out by his assailant”. Only after the linguist cried out “There is no God but Allah” in Arabic did his attackers panic and flee the scene, possibly suspecting they may have assaulted a fellow Muslim. He was then able to heave himself out of the frigid waters, but cut his legs badly while doing so. Skinner caught up to four of the group, though not his principal aggressor, who told him “the attack happened because I was white”. The 38 then warned group “that in the current political climate, such actions could have a negative effect on the Muslim Pakistani community” and lectured them on “the positive aspects of Mohammed and Islam”. Skinner lost his phone, keys, glasses and a memory stick where his college lessons were saved, and had to be treated in hospital for damage to his cheekbone, teeth and neck muscles. | 1 |
It hasn’t been a good year for the troika that dominates soft drink sales, PepsiCo and Dr Pepper Snapple. The public’s attention on the health effects of sugary sodas has continued to increase, slowing growth and increasing political pressure. This year, soft drink companies and their lobbying group, the American Beverage Association, spent $38 million to defeat proposals to impose taxes on sugary drinks in four cities: San Francisco, Oakland and Albany in California, and Boulder, Colo. The companies lost all of those fights. Now, seven cities around the country have a soda tax. One way the companies have tried to get ahead of the tax efforts is by vowing to reduce the calories in their products. In September 2014, they committed to reducing calories 20 percent nationwide by 2025 and focus on 10 communities where rates of obesity, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes are among the highest. The effort has been underway for about a year now, and as the beverage association prepared to release research about the efforts, it invited a handful of reporters to see what had been done to encourage consumption of healthier beverages in three stores in the neighborhood in Brooklyn, one of the 10 sites the companies promised to focus on. Here are the findings and observations, which suggest that the companies have a long way to go to meet their goal. The average American consumed an estimated 199 calories a day from beverages in 2014, when beverage companies made their pledge, and that fell to 198. 7 calories a day the next year, according to research by Keybridge Public Policy Economics, an independent firm paid by the beverage association to conduct the study. That is a decline of less than 1 percent, far off the pace need to reach a 20 percent drop over a decade. To achieve their 2025 goal, the companies must reduce calories to 159. 2 calories per person per day. Americans actually increased the volume of beverages they consumed by 2. 2 percent from 2014 to 2015, largely because they drank more water. Consumers drank less soda, but substituted bottled coffee and tea, sports drinks and energy drinks, according to Robert F. Wescott, president of Keybridge. “The increase in water — it’s not replacing something else,” he said. The companies are offering several alternatives to traditional soda, and have retooled older products to reduce calories. This has often been done quietly, with subtle changes to the drinks. “Consumers won’t buy something if you tell them you’ve changed it,” said Michael Morel, sales director for Brooklyn at the Bottling Company of New York. Pepsi, for instance, reformulated nine varieties of Brisk, an iced tea and juice line it owns together with Unilever. Using a combination of caloric and noncaloric sweeteners, PepsiCo lowered calories in the drinks by as much as 44 percent. “There was a dramatic decrease in calories in Brisk — but not in sales,” Mr. Wescott said. “Calorie decreases like that need to accelerate to meet the 2025 target. ” More additions are coming. The Dr Pepper Snapple Group has nearly doubled sales of seltzers over the last several years as part of its effort to encourage greater consumption of drinks. On Tuesday, the company announced it was paying $1. 7 billion for Bai Brands, a maker of enhanced waters with just five calories, thus expanding its portfolio of drinks. The companies have also renegotiated their agreements with grocery chains and bodegas in to give better placement to drinks. For instance, Coke Zero and other drinks from are now standing cheek by jowl with traditional Powerade and other beverages on shelves at the Ideal Food Basket in . “We didn’t sell any of those products here before,” said Kamau Brown, ’s director of sales and operations for the New York City metro region. and the other beverage companies have also persuaded retailers to let them to add racks and cardboard display cases, which effectively create additional shelf space for the products. This ensures that stores don’t lose revenue from sweetened products until products demonstrate solid sales, Mr. Brown said. For instance, 33. bottles of Smart Water, which has no calories, were displayed on a wire rack at a price of four for $5. A cardboard display of different flavors of Aloe Gloe, a new enhanced water line from Coke, offered two small cardboard “bottles” for $4. But the products are not far away. Separating the Smart Water and Aloe Gloe displays were two shopping carts filled with bottles of ginger ale and Pepsi Wild Cherry, on sale for $2. 99. The companies are using a variety of promotions designed to encourage greater sales of and drinks. At the deli, for instance, PepsiCo’s drinks are sold for 99 cents. had a variety of “buy one, get one free” offers on displays that encouraged consumers to get an of small 7. cans of Coke Zero if they bought the same size pack of classic Coke. All three big beverage companies have signs that read, “Balance what you eat, drink and do” and show images of some products. Pepsi’s, for instance, shows bottles of Gatorade and Aquafina, its water brand. But a small bottle of classic Pepsi is also featured front and center. Moussad Elghandour, a Yemeni immigrant who owns the Utica Express Deli in said that the promotions were driving sales — but that sugary drinks were also selling well. Changing demographics in the neighborhood, he said, noting specifically a higher number of white residents, were also responsible for the changing mix of drinks he’s selling. “Some people care about themselves, their health. Some people don’t,” Mr. Elghandour said. | 1 |
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter It seems sort of funny to think we have to “restore faith in humanity,” but when we live in a day and age filled with so many controversial, sad, and downright wrong happenings in the world, we do, indeed, need stories to lift us up. advertisement - learn more In our day-to-day lives, we witness just how ungrateful and impatient humans, even, dare I say, ourselves, can be. Just last week I witnessed a totally zenned-out young woman coming out of a yoga studio to find someone had completely smashed in her car window to steal her purse. She was shocked, angry, sad, and ultimately, in her words, “at a loss for faith in humanity.” It reminded me how little trust we have in people because of situations like this. We can’t leave our car doors unlocked, never mind lock them and leave our belongings in plain site. We’re afraid to go for walks in the dark by ourselves, and even a jog in the middle of the day poses dangers, since, as recent news has reported, doing so has claimed the lives of two young women . We can’t have a civil political debate over dinner, nor even trust the government at all, with more leaks showing just how corrupt the system truly is. Racial equality has resurfaced in the worst way, with movements trying to prove to society why black lives should matter despite how self-evident that fact should be. Mass shootings at malls, movie theaters, children’s schools, universities, a gay nightclub, etc. wreak havoc on our nation continuously. Wildlife is diminishing due to deforestation and climate change at the hands of humans. Terrorism continues to shake our world to its core. This year, Earth Overshoot Day came the earliest it ever has, and that’s a bad sign for the planet. And this is all just a glimpse. Depressed yet? But in the words of American Beauty ‘s main character Lester Burnham, “…it’s hard to stay mad, when there’s so much beauty in the world.” Despite all the bad, there is still so much good, and whenever you think you have lost your faith in humanity, take a look at these wonderful photos that will undoubtedly warm your heart:
1. This man bought turtles from a food market and then released them back into the sea.
2. This officer talked a man out of committing suicide, and then eight years later, that very man, now a father of tw0, gave the officer an award at the American Foundation of Suicide.
3. This little boy risked his life to save a drowning baby deer from floodwater in Bangladesh.
4. These men cut lawns for people who aren’t capable of doing it themselves. Keep Evolving Your Consciousness Inspiration and all our best content, straight to your inbox.
5. This man gave his shoes to a homeless girl in Rio De Janeiro. 6. This man takes his sick dog to a lake every night to help his pain subside. 7. An officer asked protestors in Brazil to not “create episodes,” because it was his birthday. Then, a group of protestors surprised him with this: 8. This Pakistani waiter fed a homeless person because he couldn’t use his own hands. 9. An employee at Wendy’s removed an umbrella from an outside table to walk an elderly man to his car in the rain. 10. This Turkish bride and groom spent their wedding day serving food to 4,000 refugees.
The Sacred Science follows eight people from around the world, with varying physical and psychological illnesses, as they embark on a one-month healing journey into the heart of the Amazon jungle.
You can watch this documentary film FREE for 10 days by clicking here.
"If “Survivor” was actually real and had stakes worth caring about, it would be what happens here, and “The Sacred Science” hopefully is merely one in a long line of exciting endeavors from this group." - Billy Okeefe, McClatchy Tribune | 0 |
Edward Albee, the playwright whose Broadway debut — “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” — remains one of the American plays, was mourned by the people who knew him best: those in the world of theater. To the public, Mr. Albee, who died on Friday at the age of 88, was known primarily through his dramatic work — some 30 plays written over a career that spanned nearly six decades. For many colleagues and fans, his death was an opportunity to reflect on the man behind the curtain. Playwrights expressed a particular debt to Mr. Albee, who won Tony Awards for ”Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and “The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? ,” as well as for lifetime achievement, in addition to three Pulitzer Prizes. Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theater, a prominent theater in California, interviewed Mr. Albee in San Francisco a few years ago. “He was a giant,” Mr. Taccone said. ”He was able to navigate a wide range of styles, from hyperrealism to more expressionistic.” Mr. Taccone described Mr. Albee as an absolutist and a and said that “he would have his characters talking in his head for three months, and if he could have them talk in his head for three months, then they’d stay as viable characters to be written on the page. ” Actors also spoke about the influence of Mr. Albee’s work. Many shared the playwright’s words. The New York Public Library encouraged people to revisit Mr. Albee’s work and displayed a video of an interview with him from 2010. | 1 |
(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the .) Good evening. Here’s the latest. 1. Donald Trump met with Mexico’s president, Enrique Peña Nieto, declaring him “a friend” and praising as “beyond reproach” in a showstopper of a trip to Mexico City. Mr. Trump said that he and Mr. Peña Nieto of Mexico discussed a border wall when they met, but not who would pay. But Mr. Peña Nieto said on Twitter later that, “I made it clear that Mexico will not pay for the wall. ” Many Mexicans expressed anger over the meeting. Mr. Trump’s campaign officials said his speech on immigration this evening in Phoenix would clarify his immigration policies. _____ 2. Hillary Clinton took a swipe at Mr. Trump, saying in a speech at the American Legion’s national convention, “It certainly takes more than trying to make up for a year of insults and insinuations by dropping in on our neighbors for a few hours and then flying home again. ” She also countered his “American first” approach, stressing the country’s “unique and unparalleled ability to be a force for peace and progress, a champion for freedom and opportunity. ” _____ 3. In other political news, Harry Reid, the Senate minority leader, offered fellow Democrats a possible recourse if they win the White House and Senate this fall only to find the Republicans thwarting them. It’s a drastic move: curtailing the filibuster, the minority party’s tool. “What choice would Democrats have?” he said. “The country can’t be run this way, where nothing gets done. ” _____ 4. Geologists say these fossils, found in Greenland, are 3. 7 billion years old. If so, they are by far the oldest direct evidence of microbial activity ever found, challenging the time frame of evolution and theories of the origins of life. The finding “will be hotly debated,” an Earth scientist at M. I. T. said. _____ 5. Brazil’s Senate removed President Dilma Rousseff from office for manipulating the federal budget to try to hide the country’s mounting economic problems. The move upended her leftist Workers’ Party, one of South America’s most powerful political organizations, but leaves Brazil under the rule of the equally tainted Brazilian Democratic Movement Party. _____ 6. A Times review of WikiLeaks’ activities during the four years its founder, Julian Assange, has been holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London shows that the group’s document releases have often benefited Russia, frequently at the expense of the West. In an interview, Mr. Assange called Russia a “bit player on the world stage” and said that scrutinizing superpowers like the United States was more relevant. _____ 7. Being famous for being famous, à la the Kardashians, appears to be a thing of the past. Instagram, YouTube and gossip sites and podcasts, and now legacy media companies, are feeding on a new celebrity underclass, people who hover on the edges of fame. “It’s easy to hate us, actually, because we are not doing something, we’re not really doing anything,” said the girl above, the de facto leader of the “Gucci Gang,” four stylish Parisians making their name on Instagram. _____ 8. A JetBlue plane from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. landed in Santa Clara, Cuba, the first scheduled U. S. service to the island nation in more than 50 years. It was the latest step toward normalizing relations between two former Cold War foes. “To the people who say these flights don’t help: Yes, it does help,” said a teary passenger. “It opens Cuba to the world. ” _____ 9. A teacher in Denver got more insight than she bargained for when she asked her students to finish the sentence, “I wish my teacher knew. .. ” Some answers, recounted in a new book that has inspired many teachers to try the same approach: “that my mom might get diagnosed with cancer this week and I’ve been without a home 3 different times this year alone” “how much I miss my dad because he got deported to Mexico” “that my family and I live in a shelter. ” _____ 10. Beet and carrot juice pulp, meat substitutes, grains, lentils, beans potato starch … Chefs around the country are reaching for new combinations to create veggie burgers that can take a place of honor on even the most ambitious menus. “We’re trying to use everything in our arsenal to make this mix that’s superdelicious,” said Brooks Headley of New York’s acclaimed Superiority Burger. _____ 11. Finally, one of our articles today is a lyrical meditation on domesticity by a novelist who carefully renovated her family’s apartment and then, for a while, flinched over every scratch and spill. She takes a lesson from a friend’s chaotic, boisterous household, in which rooms might be neglected but people aren’t, and happiness is “the easiest of all things to find. ” _____ Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p. m. Eastern. And don’t miss Your Morning Briefing, posted weekdays at 6 a. m. Eastern, and Your Weekend Briefing, posted at 6 a. m. Sundays. Want to look back? Here’s last night’s briefing. What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes. com. | 1 |
As the radical left organizes obstructions of airport terminals to protest President Donald Trump’s executive order enacting new security measures for travelers visiting from turbulent countries, few appear equally outraged that his predecessor, Barack Obama, issued a similar directive specifically targeting Cubans. [During his last week in office, President Obama repealed a executive order known as “Wet Foot,” which allowed all Cubans legally touching U. S. soil to stay here illegally. The objective of the executive order was to give sanctuary to Cubans risking their lives on makeshift vessels trying to sail to the United States and escape the oppressive communist regime that has governed there for over half a century. The move did not trigger widespread national protests in defense of the Cubans affected, even as U. S. immigration officials — confused by the lack of direction in Obama’s order — detained and interrogated countless travelers possessing legal visas to enter the United States. Many of these were elderly individuals, traveling to visit their children with no intention of stay. The only activists who spoke up for them were members of the Cuban exile community, who told their stories to local press. Democracy Movement leader Ramón Saúl Sánchez — who the Obama administration threatened with deportation after 49 years in the United States — told Miami’s El Nuevo Herald that the individuals he was advocating for were stuck in airport interrogation rooms, their families panicked and receiving few updates. “These Cuban travelers have tourism visas. They are being detained or deported,” Sánchez said on January 15. “Those being detained within the airport include people of advanced age, including one blind man, many of them ill. ” He added that many elderly Cubans with whom he spoke after being released from interrogation were threatened with being detained in an immigration center, leaving them thinking, “if you’re going to throw me in jail just send me back. ” Relatives of those detained told their stories to the media. Justina Barroso Rodríguez, who suffers from hypertension, was placed in a jail awaiting deportation upon arriving in the United States on January 13. Her son, Danilo Alemán, told the Diario Las Americas that he had received little information on the matter, only that the repeal of “wet foot” led to her detention. “I would like to know, how would President Obama feel if it was his mother in the conditions my mother is currently in?” Alemán asked. A Cuban woman who was fortunate enough to be released told Miami’s América TeVe that she was kept in isolation an entire day without food. She refused to give the network her name and said she did not know when she had been initially detained, though she estimated it had occurred around 10AM local time and she had been released long after the sun had set. She possessed a legal visa, and said her crime was to mention the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act to an immigration official. Those flying into Miami were among the luckiest Cubans following President Obama’s directive, even as their legal U. S. visas were not enough to prevent them from being detained. Cubans who had begun their journey to the United States through Central America and Mexico — who would have been able to enter the United States and legally stay there before President Obama’s last week in office, are now stranded throughout the region, held in dilapidated detention centers and threatened with deportation back into a communist autocracy. In Panama, 18 Cuban refugees declared themselves on hunger strike this week, protesting the government’s refusal to grant them access to an attorney and forcing them into conditions with little food or basic hygienic necessities. The protest triggered another hunger strike at a detention center in Panama by activists who fled Cuba to avoid becoming prisoners of conscience. “We are taking this measure for our freedom, because we cannot return to Cuba,” one of the individuals said in a statement. The protesters alleged that Panamanian authorities had confiscated their passports and abandoned many in the dense forestry near the Colombian border. “They are putting us on trucks and letting us loose in the middle of the jungle,” one protester said, while another noted that those abandoned in such a way are left “without food, without water, they do not care if we are sick or injured. ” In Mexico, a country with a record of treating migrants inhumanely, Cubans seeking to cross the northern border into the United States are also stranded. “Many of us will die if we were to go to Cuba,” refugee Rodolfo Muñoz told local outlet KVUE this week. He and his wife, like many Cubans, are stranded in Nuevo Laredo, where the U. S. government has refused to let them pass. U. S. Customs and Border Protection declined an interview on the subject with the broadcast station. In a widely distributed statement, the agency said that Cubans have the option of filing a petition the enter the country based on a political asylum claim, but they risk months in a “detention facility” if they express their fear of political persecution to authorities. Mexico has already begun to deport dozens of refugees back to Cuba, where the government executes thousands of arrests annually. Mexican authorities deported 70 Cuban refugees last Wednesday, with many more expected to be repatriated soon. This appears to have been the Obama administration’s intended result. “We will have to get involved with the Central American and Mexican governments to promote the idea of a secure, orderly, legal migration or restricting or repatriating irregular immigrants,” an unnamed State Department official told El Nuevo Herald in July 2016, referring to the refugees as “immigrants. ” Some of those stranded in Mexico and Central America have protested that the treatment of Cubans under the Obama administration, which differed significantly from the welcoming attitude the administration had towards other Latin American immigrants, was a result of ’ embrace of conservative values. A result of a combination of factors — from the massacre of Cuban patriots under Democrat John F. Kennedy at Bay of Pigs to the Congressional Black Caucus’ embrace of Fidel Castro — voters are largely conservative on foreign policy issues and lean Republican. The final tally of November election results showed Cubans more likely to support Republican candidate Donald Trump than even white Americans. These facts were not lost on some refugees traveling north. “Obama, because he is leaving, suddenly takes up the idea of repealing a law that has been enforced for many years and has favored many Cubans. I think he got angry with the Cubans,” Cuban refugee Jose Enrique Manresa said, shortly after President Obama’s move prevented him from entering the country. “It is a reprisal. ” Adding insult to injury, the Obama administration presided over an unprecedented surge in recent years in Cuban refugee flows into the United States, a direct result of his policy of appeasement towards the Castro regime. In his last days in office, President Obama also signed an agreement emboldening the Cuban Coast Guard to conduct joint “rescue” operations in international waters, despite Havana’s multiple mass murders of refugees and activists at sea. | 1 |
Last Majority White Election, Minorities to Give Democrats White House Through 2060 Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, November 6, 2016
This may be the last year that a Republican will be elected president, as the growth of liberal-leaning minorities all but guarantees that Democrats will hold the majority at least for the next four decades.
That’s according to an unusual survey on the impact of minorities, mostly Latin American, done for WalletHub and provided to Secrets .
The study used two models based on population projections and matched to the overwhelming 65 percent minority turnout for President Obama in 2012 and the underwhelming 50 percent response for George W. Bush in 2004.
The bottom line: In no presidential election from 2020-60 do the Republicans win. {snip}
{snip} | 0 |
RIO DE JANEIRO — At her second Olympics, Katie Ledecky experienced what was for her a Games first: She touched the wall not knowing if she had won. The freestyle was her third career individual final, and Ledecky’s margin of victory was of a second, a microfraction of time virtually imperceptible to the untrained eye. When she finishes her last individual event on Friday, viewers might wonder if there was anyone else in the pool. If recent form holds, the gap between Ledecky and the silver medalist in the freestyle will reflect her dominance more powerfully than the gold medal she receives afterward. All Olympic winners get one of those. Ledecky, 19 and soon to be a freshman at Stanford, deserves Advanced Placement credits for her elevated margins of victory. In a sport where races often are settled by tenths of a second, Ledecky won the freestyle in 2012 by 4. 13 seconds and the 400 freestyle on Sunday by 4. 77 seconds. On Thursday, she qualified first in the freestyle, finishing 6. 57 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. Most expect an even larger margin of victory in the final on Friday night. It is not often that a rival says, “I knew she was going to win,” as the American Leah Smith did while talking about Ledecky after the 400 freestyle final. But then, it has been nearly a since the swimming world has seen a female swimmer as dominant as Ledecky. With a victory in the 800, she will join Debbie Meyer as the only swimmers to win the 200, 400 and 800 freestyles in a single Games. But the talent level was deep in Meyer’s day. The eight women she beat in the 800 final in Mexico City came from four countries. years later, it is deep, with seven nations set to be represented in Friday’s final. Still, at the last two major international events preceding the Rio Games, Ledecky won the freestyle easily: by 6. 52 seconds at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships in Australia and by 10. 26 seconds at the 2015 world championships in Kazan, Russia. Her competition on Friday will include many of the same women she vanquished at those meets, with the notable exception of New Zealand’s Lauren Boyle, the both times, who fell one spot short of the final in qualifying. For the past three years, Ledecky has geared her training toward swimming fast here. Already, she has broken her world record in the 400 freestyle. And there is no reason to believe that her 800 record of 8:06. 68, which is nearly nine seconds faster than the personal best of the finalist, is safe. Sure, Ledecky has raced 2, 600 meters, including relays, since the meet got underway Saturday. But having watched her set a world record in bad weather in an outdoor pool at the Pan Pacific Championships, her coach, Bruce Gemmell, said he did not believe the long, late nights of racing here would slow her. “I saw how focused she was there, she has a unique gift to do that,” he said. “She did it in wind and sleet and rain. Now she can do it in dorms and buses and late nights. ” Ledecky owns the 12 fastest performances in the 800. She has lowered the world record four times since 2013, most recently at a meet in Austin, Tex. in January, when she finished 21. 63 seconds ahead of the . Smith, the other American entrant in Friday’s 800 final, finished fourth in that race. “I literally heard the guy go, ‘New world record! ’” Smith said, referring to the meet announcer. “And I had just flipped for my last 50. ” She added, “I was kind of like, ‘Well, this is probably not a good race for me. ’” Ledecky’s preliminary swim Thursday broke the Olympic record but was a relatively tight race by her standards. Following Gemmell’s instructions “not to take a hard stroke,” Ledecky coasted to an 8:12. 86. She dragged her legs, not bothering to kick, over the last 600 meters — fully of the race — and still finished 6. 57 seconds ahead of Hungary’s Boglarka Kapas. Smith was 8. 57 seconds back, in fourth. A lot can happen, and has happened, at the Olympics in the 10. 26 seconds that Ledecky spent waiting for the to finish at last summer’s world championships: Justin Gatlin running the 100 meters Serena Williams winning a point off her serve Tom Daley falling to earth from the platform Simone Biles nailing a vault the skeet shooter Vincent Hancock hitting a target. Some athletes would relish having so much time to have the applause to themselves. They might preen and poke the air with their index finger. Ledecky is not one of them. After checking her time on the scoreboard, peeling off her caps, removing her goggles and glancing at the Team U. S. A. cheering section, Ledecky typically hangs from the wall or treads water until there is a finisher to congratulate. “I don’t really think about much in between,” she said. Ledecky cannot leave her lane until the other swimmers finish. It is perhaps the only time she knows the feeling of being a prisoner of her success. Gemmell was asked if Ledecky was recognized often in the athletes’ village. “No, not truthfully,” he said, adding, “It’s great. ” | 1 |
It took Alison Wright 34 years to land her first big role, as poor Martha Hanson, the F. B. I. secretary on FX’s “The Americans. ” And another four — after Martha made the shattering discovery that her marriage to Clark Westerfeld, an alias of the K. G. B. agent Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) was mostly a sham — to break viewers’ hearts and be jettisoned off the series (maybe to Moscow). But Ms. Wright’s career was just starting to soar. After roles in “The Accountant,” the Ben Affleck feature, and “Sneaky Pete,” the Bryan Cranston series for Amazon, she will make her Broadway debut in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” beginning performances at Studio 54 on Saturday, March 4, which is transferring from the Public Theater. Ms. Wright plays Jessie, a factory worker in Reading, Pa. who finds herself pitted against her friends as jobs become scarce and society crumbles. “These are the people who maybe voted for Trump, or chose not to vote at all today,” Ms. Wright said of the play, set in 2000 and 2008. “Lynn has put real people behind the numbers of whole cities evaporating, in a way. ” Ms. Wright, a subversively witty native of England’s Lake District who lives in Harlem with her maltipoo, Luigi, talked about blooming late. These are edited excerpts from the conversation. Will Martha be back this season? No comment. They’ve told me that I can say something they’ve said many times themselves: She’s alive — and if you’re alive on “The Americans,” there’s always hope for you. Which is fair enough, but it’s certainly something that everybody is dying to know. I’m asked on a daily basis. Are you sick of the questions? No, it’s . I’ve noticed just this real tenderness when they talk to me about her, their genuine concern and sympathy and empathy. It’s quite lovely, because it didn’t start out like that. Does a part like Jessie in “Sweat” give you empathy for people whose politics may not reflect your own? With these people’s stories, you can’t help but see how they just did what they needed to do to survive, because nobody was listening to them. Nobody was going to help them. O. K. I now can understand and have empathy for this part of society. That’s tremendous, right? That’s what theater is supposed to do. And now you’re making your Broadway debut at 40. [Sings] Yesss! I set the benchmark for myself about a year ago, actually, at the end of Season 4 of “The Americans. ” “OK, when I’m in a real part — not a bit part — on Broadway, that’s when I can feel that I’ve made it as an actor. ” It has been a long time coming. And some — in fact, most — never get to Broadway. This is true. That’s a good attitude. Or on a Ryan Murphy show. You have another timely role, as Pauline Jameson, playing opposite Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon in his FX series, “Feud: Bette and Joan,” which begins Sunday. I am perhaps the single composite regular — a little bit of all the women in the studio systems who were girl Fridays and very competent and able. She can hold her own with Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, and she wants to have a future in the business. But it’s 1962, so she’s not in control of that for herself. I’m not sure how far we’ve come in 2017. It’s funny — I have a very big fourth episode, and the first part of it we filmed before the election, and there was a lot of this stuff that was very tongue in cheek at the time: “You know, some guys don’t like the idea of a woman in charge. ” Then we went back [the day after the election] to shoot the rest, and it had a whole different gravitas to it. You’ve described the show as a very examination of aging in Hollywood. Susan Sarandon said that when she started, 40 was the cutoff, the hard line. That’s it — roll over and die. And that’s certainly been pushed, specifically by people like Ryan Murphy. He’s a real champion of women. I think there were 15 roles in this show for women over the age of 40. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys of “The Americans” got awards love this year, though they didn’t win. Whatever the competition is, it’s not always the best person or the best work that wins. Meryl’s only got three Oscars. It’s clearly a flawed system. But I don’t want to say anything here that’s going to make sure I never get an award — because I really want one! How do you get those amazing eyebrows? They’ve had this much attitude since I was 5 years old. | 1 |
Recent posts on social media by Gavin Long, the Marine veteran who fatally shot three law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge, La. on Sunday morning, show a man with a paranoid and political message, describing a world “run by devils,” imagining himself as their feared enemy and talking of a need for revolution. In this YouTube video posted from Dallas on July 10, just three days after five police officers there were murdered, Mr. Long says, “When an African fights back, it’s wrong, but every time a European fights back against his oppressor, he’s right. ” In the above video, Mr. Long is apparently wearing a body camera as he tries to give copies of one of his books to customers in a Dallas barbershop. He delivers a sermonlike speech from near the front door. “It’s real out here, man. I’m here for y’all,” Mr. Long tells the group of mostly black patrons. “Be great, have knowledge,” he says as he walks out the door. Mr. Long filed a form last year in Jackson County, Mo. to change his name to Cosmo Ausar Setepenra, a name freighted with ancient Egyptian references. Ausar, often rendered as Osiris, was the Egyptian god of the underworld. A group called the Ausar Auset Society, founded in the 1970s, describes itself on its website as being dedicated to reviving the ancient Egyptian religion among Africans and people of African descent. Setepenra, sometimes rendered as Setepenre, or among other variations, meant “chosen by Ra,” the Egyptian sun god. The name has been used in modern times by some people affiliated with occult groups that use Egyptian symbols. In his application, Mr. Long also made many references to a small, obscure group called the United Washitaw de Dugdahmoundyah Mu’ur Nation, and attached a declaration from the organization. It is a group of based in Louisiana, who say they are a sovereign Native American tribe — a claim that courts have repeatedly rejected. In a podcast posted in late June on his website Convos With Cosmo, Mr. Long draws parallels between his own and success, including his weight loss, to that of the rapper Gucci Mane, who was released from prison that week. Mr. Long’s opinion is that the rapper “came out a better person than when he went in,” despite external forces, including “the system,” that exert pressure on individuals to stay “trapped. ” “That’s why they gotta watch people like me,” he says. “I wake people up. ” Mr. Long posted frequently on the Twitter account ConvosWithCosmo, where he made his first post on Oct. 22. The feed was dominated by style musings, paeans to entrepreneurship, the promotion of his books and his love of vegan food. Another theme is racial injustice. On April 5, he posted two tweets suggesting he had been racially profiled during a traffic stop in Los Angeles. In a video, a police officer tells him that he is being let off with a warning, but that it would be in his best interest “not to have an attitude with a police officer. ” “O. K. I’m a black man,” he replies. “And somebody pulling me over saying I didn’t stop beyond a line or something. That’s a reason to cop an attitude as a black man because you get harassed multiple times. ” His final tweet, early Sunday, foreshadowed his fate that day. Mr. Long was killed in a shootout with Baton Rouge officers that left three of them dead, and three others wounded. Police officials said on Monday that Mr. Long had “ambushed” them. | 1 |
Tuesday on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity,” Rep. Mark Meadows ( ) said he was optimistic about the prospects of a bill to replace Obamacare getting a vote in the U. S. House of Representatives by the end of the week. Meadows told host Sean Hannity he gave it a “better than 80 percent” chance of happening. “We are going to get the health care bill, hopefully,” Meadows said. “We’re informing a few other members to get a few more to yes. Obviously, the Democrats are not helping us on any of that, so it makes every ‘yes’ vote critical and every ‘no’ vote critical. ” “We may be at 22 [Republican] ‘nos,’ but I think a couple of those are looking at specific issues within their district,” he continued. “I can tell you that they’re meeting earlier tonight, working on trying to address some of those concerns. I had three meetings this afternoon … you know, I think the odds are still better than 80 percent that we still have a vote this week and I’m optimistic that we’re going to get it done for the president and the American people. We got to lower premiums. We got to make sure that we deliver. And I think we will. ” Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor | 1 |
A comedian has agreed to speak at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Finally. Hasan Minhaj, a senior correspondent at “The Daily Show,” will be the featured performer at the dinner on April 29, the association said on Tuesday. He will join the ranks of Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O’Brien and other stars who have skewered Washington at the annual gathering. But Mr. Minhaj, an and Muslim who regularly roasts President Trump in his day job, will ascend the dais at a dinner that is shaping up to be far more tense than in previous years. Mr. Trump is skipping the festivities, the first president to do so since the 1970s, and his staff will boycott them, too. Vanity Fair and Bloomberg canceled their famed, . And the event is playing out against the backdrop of a historically strained period of relations between the administration and the news media. Comedians for the dinner are typically announced months in advance, and some names, including the host James Corden, reportedly declined invitations this year. Without Mr. Trump on hand to punch back, some journalists in Washington were concerned that a monologue attacking the president would give an impression of bias. “I was not looking for somebody who is going to roast the president in absentia that’s not fair and that’s not the message we want to get across,” Jeff Mason, the president of the correspondents’ association, said Tuesday morning on MSNBC. “I was looking for somebody who is funny and who is entertaining, because I want the dinner to be entertaining, but who can also speak to the message that the whole dinner is going to speak to: the importance of the free press,” Mr. Mason added. Mr. Minhaj, 31, joined “The Daily Show” in 2014 and has become popular among viewers with his cheerfully acerbic takes on current events. A immigrant, Mr. Minhaj wrote and performed “Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King,” an Off Broadway show in 2015 recalling his youth in California and his struggles with ethnic identity. Some of his “Daily Show” commentary about the president has been scathing, and personal. The day after the election, Mr. Minhaj described his anxieties about Mr. Trump’s policies toward Muslims, saying that his mother had asked if she would be allowed back into the United States after a foreign trip to visit relatives. “The fact that I can’t tell her ‘yes’ with 100 percent certainty is heartbreaking,” Mr. Minhaj said. “That is my mom, and I need her back home. Because I love her — and she owes me $300. ” In a statement on Tuesday, Mr. Minhaj called it “a tremendous honor to be a part of such a historic event even though the president has chosen not to attend this year. SAD!” ”Now more than ever, it is vital that we honor the First Amendment and the freedom of the press,” Mr. Minhaj added. Officials at the correspondents’ group say the dinner will be focused on promoting journalism, with the famed writers Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward to present awards for White House reporting. Scholarships funded by the association will also be at the forefront. Alec Baldwin, who caricatures Mr. Trump on “Saturday Night Live,” called Mr. Mason at one point to talk about the possibility of an appearance, according to two people familiar with the discussion. The actor would likely have appeared as himself, and not in his Trump guise, the people said, in part because “Saturday Night Live” would have to give permission for Mr. Baldwin to reprise the impression outside of the show. But some journalists in the Correspondents’ Association felt that awarding a featured spot to Mr. Baldwin could inject a blunt partisanship into the proceedings. Would network news anchors, for instance, feel comfortable laughing along with Mr. Baldwin — live on camera — if no one from the White House administration was there to reciprocate? A representative for Mr. Baldwin said that the actor planned to be in Los Angeles during the weekend of the dinner. Regardless of Mr. Trump’s participation, there has been little question that this year’s event would have a different feel. “It’s a new president, it’s a new administration, and we’ve faced new challenges,” Mr. Mason said in an interview on Tuesday, “and the dinner reflects those things. ” | 1 |
Curtis Flournoy dislikes white people almost as much as the Oxford comma. [Police in Charlotte, North Carolina, arrested the for allegedly setting fire to a market owned by an immigrant from Bhutan. The arsonist left a note, which began: “Our newly elected president Donald Trump is our nation builder for white America. ” The culprit in the and fire not only attempted to depict white supporters of the president as violent racists, but as as well. “You all know that, we want our country back on the right track,” he informed. “We need to get rid of Muslims, Indians and all immigrants. Specially, we don’t want business by refugees and immigrant any more. ” The staged hate crime mirrors several other faux attacks on religious and ethnic minorities in the wake of Donald Trump’s political emergence. In Manhattan in December, a Muslim woman claimed a trio of white drunks assaulted her on a crowded subway train and pulled on her hijab while chanting slogans and issuing taunts. Earlier in Mississippi, news reports indicated a hate crime when “Vote Trump” appeared on a black church. Police later arrested an parishioner for the crime. Whereas the Muslim college allegedly made up the story to avoid the wrath of her father after breaking curfew, the culprit in the Charlotte attack appears to have harbored no motive save for embarrassing white Trump supporters. He broke a window and set fire to the establishment. He did not steal anything, save for a sentence’s right to agreement. “We are ready to wake up some of our great state including North Carolina and we will take care of the country he typed. “Immigrants and refugee are taking our job, doing business and leaving us standard. So, you are not allowed to do business any more. ” After a “God Bless America” complementary close, the identified himself as “White America. ” But the racist surveillance video shows a black American. Throw the book at him — Strunk and White’s Elements of Style. | 1 |
0 comments
On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania State Police raided a Delaware County political field office for the Democratic Party in search of “templates utilized to construct fraudulent voter registration forms,” and “completed voter registration forms containing same or similar identifying information of individuals on multiple forms.”
A warrant was filed last week in County Court seeking the documents tied to voter fraud. Investigators said they were looking for the documents, financial information, and lists of employees at the Norwood office of FieldWorks LLC, a national organization that often does street work for Democrats.
Matt Dorf, a spokesman for FieldWorks’ national headquarters in Washington, released the following statement:
“FieldWorks is now working with county officials to provide them with information on our program and applications they are investigating. In keeping with our regular practice, we will work aggressively with authorities to seek the prosecution of anyone involved in wrongdoing.”
Founded in 2001, according to promotional material online, FieldWorks describes itself as “a nationally recognized grassroots organizing firm founded to help progressive organizations, advocacy groups, and members of the Democratic family take their public engagement and electoral strategies to the next level.”
In 2012, FieldWorks’ voter registration efforts in Ohio sparked some controversy when the organization’s employees filed thousands of new voter registration cards in the final week before the registration deadline and some of them were found to be fraudulent. | 0 |
In the past year, Americans have seen police officers ambushed and assassinated, and they have watched as the thin line protecting citizens from criminals has been reviled by groups such as Black Lives Matter.
And now America is taking its stand.
A new Gallup poll shows that respect for the police has hit its highest point in almost 50 years.
Related Stories Video: Suspect Beats Female Officer Who Didn’t Use Weapon Out Of Fear Of Backlash Police Officer Issues A Moving Response To Kaepernick’s Protest NBA Anthem Singer Drops To Knee During Final Line To Protest Racial Inequality The poll, taken in early October, found that 76 percent of Americans have “a great deal” of respect for police and another 17 percent say they have “some” respect.
“Obviously, this violent rhetoric we have seen from BLM has backfired ,” wrote Andrew Mark Miller on Young Conservatives.
“People respect the cops more than ever and they clearly see what a difficult job they have,” he added.
Miller said the Black Lives Matter movement denies its true purpose.
“And don’t give me this nonsense about how BLM isn’t anti-police,” he wrote. “In fact, many BLM supporters have been out there saying we should eliminate the police force entirely .”
Miller said the bottom line is clear.
“This poll is a repudiation of the tactics the left has used to demonize law enforcement. No getting around it,” he wrote.
Trending Stories Frustrated With Media Bias, Trump Campaign Takes Its Case Directly To Voters With Nightly Show On Facebook RNC Official Takes CNN Host To Task For Claiming There Is No Media Bias Independent Voters Push Trump To The Front In Florida And Ohio The level of Americans supporting the police that was reflected in the 2016 poll had not been reached since 1967, when urban riots and protest-driven long, hot summers were making cities dangerous and 77 percent of respondents said they gave police “a great deal” of respect. Gallup began surveying Americans about the police in 1965.
The 2016 poll also shows a major change in attitudes from just a year earlier. The 2015 poll showed the highest level to date of Americans lacking confidence in their police officers, at 18 percent.
“The increase in shootings of police coincided with high-profile incidents of law enforcement officials shooting and killing unarmed black men. Despite the flaring of racial tensions after these incidents, respect for local police has increased among both whites and nonwhites,” Gallup reported in analyzing its results.
“The sharp increase over the past year in professed respect for local law enforcement comes as many police say they feel they are on the defensive — both politically and for their lives while they are on duty — amid heated national discussions on police brutality and shootings,” it added.
Gallup said future events could change the level of support enjoyed by police.
“It’s unclear whether the spike in respect for police will have staying power or if it reflects mostly a reaction to the retaliatory killings against police officers last summer,” it wrote.
What do you think? | 0 |
LONDON — Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain refused to comment on Sunday about the reported failure of an unarmed British Trident missile that was from a submarine off the coast of Florida in June. Mrs. May said in a television interview with the BBC that she had “absolute faith in our Trident missiles. ” But she would not say whether she had known about the failure or whether, as The Sunday Times of London reported, it had been covered up by Downing Street under her predecessor, David Cameron, shortly before the referendum on Britain’s exit from the European Union. Mrs. May did not mention any missile failure in her first major speech to Parliament on July 18, when she persuaded Parliament to spend up to 40 billion pounds, or about $53 billion then, on four new submarines to keep Britain’s nuclear deterrent up to date. “There are tests that take place all the time, regularly, for our nuclear deterrence,” she said on Sunday. “What we were talking about in that debate that took place was about the future. ” The Sunday Times reported that the Trident II D5 missile, which was designed to carry a nuclear warhead but was unarmed for the test, had veered off course after being fired from HMS Vengeance, one of Britain’s four aging submarines. The British Navy had not performed such a test for four years because of the expense of the missile, but had carried out tests in 2000, 2005, 2009 and 2012, all of which had been successful and publicized by the Ministry of Defense. The current test took place after the submarine had been refitted with new missile launch equipment and upgraded computer systems. Replacing Trident has been controversial because of the cost and because the current leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, long an antinuclear campaigner, is opposed to retaining Britain’s nuclear deterrent, while his party’s official position has been to retain and renew it. “It’s a pretty catastrophic error when a missile goes in the wrong direction, and while it wasn’t armed, goodness knows what the consequences of that could have been,” Mr. Corbyn said on Sunday. Speaking to Sky News, he said, “We understand the prime minister chose not to inform Parliament, and instead it came out through the media. ” He repeated his belief that Britain should commit to nuclear disarmament. Kevan Jones, a Labour member of Parliament and a former defense minister, called for an inquiry into the failed missile test. “The U. K.’s independent nuclear deterrent is a vital cornerstone for the nation’s defense,” he said. Parliament is likely to ask Defense Secretary Michael Fallon to answer questions about the report. Separately, Mrs. May confirmed that she would meet with President Trump in Washington on Friday in the first visit of a foreign leader to the new president, a traditional prize that Britain has been seeking avidly. She said she would emphasize to Mr. Trump the importance of the NATO military alliance, calling it a “bulwark” of the West, and would say that Britain favors the progress and cohesion of the European Union, even though the country plans to leave the bloc. Trade will be an important topic, she said, with Britain wanting new agreements with key countries, including the United States, after it leaves the European Union. Mr. Trump, a supporter of “Brexit,” as Britain’s departure from the bloc is known, has said that he is open to early talks on such a deal with Britain. Legally, no new deal can be made until Britain formally leaves the European Union, which is unlikely for at least two years. Mr. Trump’s slogan of “America First” and his protectionist comments may mean that a trade deal will be difficult to negotiate despite the good will expressed by both sides. Mrs. May was asked about Mr. Trump’s attitudes toward women. “I’ve already said that some of the comments that Donald Trump has made in relation to women are unacceptable, some of those he himself has apologized for,” she said. When she meets Mr. Trump, she said, “I think the biggest statement that will be made about the role of women is the fact that I will be there as a female prime minister. ” | 1 |
Photo by Jamelle Bouie | CC BY 2.0
According to the mainstream media, in a recent speech in West Palm Beach, Donald Trump finally completely lost it. Sawing the air with his tiny hands in a unmistakeably Hitlerian manner, he spat out a series of undeniably hateful anti-Semitic code words … like “political establishment,” “global elites” and, yes, “international banks.” He even went so far as to claim that “corporations” and their (ahem) “lobbyists” have millions of dollars at stake in this election, and are trying to pass the TTP, not to benefit the American people, but simply to enrich themselves. He then went on to accuse the media of collaborating with “the Clinton machine,” presumably to benefit these “global elites” and “international banks” and “lobbyists.”
Now, a lot of folks didn’t immediately recognize the secret meanings of these fascistic code words, and so mistakenly assumed that “global elites” referred to the transnational capitalist ruling classes, and that “lobbyists” referred to actual lobbyists, and that “banks” meant … well … you know, banks. As it turned out, this was completely wrong. None of these words actually meant what they meant, not in anti-Semitic CodeSpeak. So the mainstream media translated for us. “Political establishment” meant “the Jews.” “Global elites” also meant “the Jews.” “Banks” meant “Jews.” “Lobbyists” meant “Jews.” Even “corporate… | 0 |
WASHINGTON — More than 20 years ago, a surreptitious recording of a cellphone conversation arrived at a Pennsylvania radio station. A federal law made it illegal to broadcast such recordings, but the radio station aired it anyway. The case reached the United States Supreme Court, which in 2001 ruled for the radio station. Legal experts say the decision, Bartnicki v. Vopper, powerfully undermines Donald J. Trump’s claim that The New York Times can be held liable for publishing parts of his tax returns. Any effort to punish “publication of truthful information of public concern,” Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the majority, “implicates the core purposes of the First Amendment. ” That is so even if someone broke the law in providing information to a news organization, he wrote. “A stranger’s illegal conduct does not suffice to remove the First Amendment shield from speech about a matter of public concern. ” Not long before The Times posted its article on Mr. Trump’s taxes, one of his lawyers, Marc E. Kasowitz, sent a letter to The Times threatening legal action. Mr. Kasowitz said that “an individual taxpayer’s income tax returns are confidential and statutorily protected from public disclosure. ” That is true so far as it goes. In an email a few hours later, but before publication, Mr. Kasowitz wrote that “any unauthorized disclosure, which publication by The New York Times would be, is illegal. ” He cited a federal law that makes it a crime “willfully to print or publish” federal tax return information. It was the only law he cited. Here, though, things grow more complicated. The Times published parts of state tax returns only, from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The federal law Mr. Kasowitz cited does not appear to apply to state returns. In any event, the federal law is a criminal one that does not appear to authorize private civil suits. Mr. Kasowitz did not respond to a request for comment, and it may be that there is a statute or legal theory in one of the four jurisdictions in question that allows the lawsuit he described. Even if that is so, the First Amendment poses a very high barrier to any such litigation. That was the consistent opinion of 11 First Amendment experts consulted by Ronald K. L. Collins for the Concurring Opinions law blog. Here are two representative opinions: “There is no conceivable basis for an action against The New York Times for publishing the income tax returns of a candidate for president,” said Burt Neuborne, a law professor at New York University. “That’s why we have a First Amendment. ” “This is ” said Geoffrey Stone, a law professor at the University of Chicago. This view was not limited to people who might be expected to be friendly to The Times. Consider Gabriel Schoenfeld, who has called for the prosecution of The Times for publishing information about a program of warrantless wiretapping. “I strongly hope,” he said in an interview, “that Donald Trump sues The New York Times for publishing his tax returns, just as I strongly hope that in the two debates to come, Donald Trump once again attacks Rosie O’Donnell and utters more gibberish. Any such lawsuit — which in all likelihood would be shot down by the courts on First Amendment grounds — is likely to help further unravel the candidacy of a man who is, among other disqualifying flaws, an enemy of a free press. ” The decision that first springs to mind in discussions of what the First Amendment has to say about the publication of confidential or classified information is New York Times Co. v. United States, usually called the Pentagon Papers case. But it does not answer the central question in the current dispute. True, the decision refused to block publication by The Times and The Washington Post of the classified history of the Vietnam War, establishing an prohibition against prior restraint on publication. But two of the justices in the majority indicated that they did not rule out prosecution of the newspapers under espionage laws. The Bartnicki decision, concerning the cellphone call, largely answered the question left open in the Pentagon Papers case. Lee Levine, who argued on the winning side in Bartnicki, said the decision would doom any lawsuit from Mr. Trump. “The Bartnicki case, both in its holding and reasoning, covers this case precisely,” said Mr. Levine, who has on occasion represented The Times. “If anything, the claim of First Amendment protection is stronger here because of Mr. Trump’s diminished reasonable expectation of privacy and because of the heightened newsworthiness of the information compared to what was before the court in Bartnicki. ” (As a lawyer in The New York Times Company’s legal department, I helped Mr. Levine prepare for the Bartnicki argument and helped draft a brief supporting his side in the case.) The tape at issue in that case concerned a labor negotiation. A union official said a school board’s intransigence could require a violent response. “We’re gonna have to go to their homes,” the official said of board members, and “blow off their front porches. ” The recording, like Mr. Trump’s tax returns, arrived over the transom: It was delivered to an official of a local taxpayers’ association that opposed the union’s wage demands. As with the tax returns, the recording’s source was unknown. The association official passed it along to the radio station. The people whose call was recorded sued under a federal law that banned such disclosures. That law’s structure is very similar to the one invoked by Mr. Trump. Even though the source had obtained and disclosed the information unlawfully, Justice Stevens wrote, the radio station was free to broadcast it because it was “a matter of public concern. ” “If the statements about the labor negotiations had been made in a public arena — during a bargaining session, for example — they would have been newsworthy. ” Some kinds of information — “disclosures of trade secrets or domestic gossip or other information of purely private concern” — may not warrant First Amendment protection, he wrote. However, the tax returns of a presidential candidate whose campaign is based in large part on his business acumen would seem to be well on the other side of the line. Another part of the statute Mr. Trump’s lawyer cited makes it a crime to solicit federal tax return information, defining solicitation to mean “willfully to offer any item of material value in exchange for any return or return information. ” Some commentators have argued that a statement by the executive editor of The Times, Dean Baquet, may have amounted to such solicitation. In September, before the tax documents arrived at The Times, Mr. Baquet participated in a public discussion at Harvard with Bob Woodward of The Washington Post and Laura Poitras, a documentary filmmaker. Mr. Baquet said he would fight hard to publish Mr. Trump’s taxes if The Times obtained them, were the paper’s lawyers to object. (They did not.) Mr. Baquet added that he would, if need be, make the case in court that publishing the documents was valuable and lawful. He suggested but did not say that he would be willing to go to jail over the matter. This is not the sort of solicitation contemplated by the statute. Even a more direct request for information — of the sort journalists make all day — is not unlawful conduct, courts have said. In a concurring opinion in the Bartnicki case, Justice Stephen G. Breyer, not always a friend of the news media, said that it mattered that the union officials were public figures, if only to a limited extent. “They thereby subjected themselves to somewhat greater public scrutiny,” he wrote, “and had a lesser interest in privacy than an individual engaged in purely private affairs. ” A presidential candidate, it would follow, invites much more searching public scrutiny. | 1 |
The syringe started off as a conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton’s health posted on a fringe website. It traveled to the legitimizing megaphone of cable news. And it ended, after an agonizing journey through the new realities of the campaign media, with a single phone call that debunked its entire existence. There was no syringe. Along the way, the syringe that wasn’t revealed everything there is to know about the truth, the media and this presidential campaign. On the latest episode of The we explore what happened to truth in this campaign and who’s to blame for the new world of and outright falsehoods. Our guides: Jim Rutenberg, The Times’s media columnist, who figured out what the syringe really was and exposed the hidden connections that fanned the original, inaccurate reporting Charlie Sykes, an influential conservative radio show host who has sounded the alarm about the partisan warfare that has left us with no referees who can separate fact from fiction and Sarah Ellison, a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, who has presciently reported on the possibility that Donald J. Trump’s campaign may be evolving into a media empire. Mr. Sykes, who says he stands by much of his critique of the mainstream media, now concedes that years of relentlessly bashing it have left the country without any trusted sources of information. “As a conservative talk show host, one of our themes has always been to bash the mainstream media, to point out the bias,” he said. “But this is the moment you wake up and you go, O. K. have we done such an effective job that when I say, for example, ‘What Donald Trump said here is demonstrably false and here is the from The New York Times or The Washington Post’ — we now have an audience that is conditioned to say, ‘Well, you know, that’s the mainstream media, that is the liberal media, I’m not going to take that seriously.’ ” The result, he said, is a country in which there are no final arbiters of truth. “You begin to realize you’ve basically cut down all of these guideposts to be able to say, ‘Look this is what is reliable, this is what is not reliable,’ ” Mr. Sykes said. Or as Mr. Rutenberg put it: in this new world, “Truth is absolutely relative. There’s no platonic form of truth. ” From a desktop or laptop, you can listen by pressing play on the button above. Or if you’re on a mobile device, the instructions below will help you find and subscribe to the series. On your iPhone or iPad: 1. Open your podcast app. It’s a app called “Podcasts” with a purple icon. (This link might help.) 2. Search for the series. Tap on the “search” magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen, type in “The ” and select it from the list of results. 3. Subscribe. Once on the series page, tap on the “subscribe” button to have new episodes sent to your phone free. You may want to adjust your notifications to be alerted when a new episode arrives. 4. Or just sample. If you would rather listen to an episode or two before deciding to subscribe, just tap on the episode title from the list on the series page. If you have an internet connection, you’ll be able to stream the episode. On your Android phone or tablet: 1. Open your podcast app. It’s a app called “Play Music” with an icon. (This link might help.) 2. Search for the series. Click on the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen, search for the name of the series and select it from the list of results. You may have to scroll down to find the “Podcasts” search results. 3. Subscribe. Once on the series page, click on the word “subscribe” to have new episodes sent to your phone free. 4. Or just sample. If you would rather listen to an episode or two before deciding to subscribe, just click on the episode title from the list on the series page. If you have an internet connection, you’ll be able to stream the episode. | 1 |
WASHINGTON — The escalating American military engagement in Somalia has led the Obama administration to expand the legal scope of the war against Al Qaeda, a move that will strengthen Donald J. Trump’s authority to combat thousands of Islamist fighters in the chaotic Horn of Africa nation. The administration has decided to deem the Shabab, the Islamist militant group in Somalia, to be part of the armed conflict that Congress authorized against the perpetrators of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to senior American officials. The move is intended to shore up the legal basis for an intensifying campaign of airstrikes and other counterterrorism operations, carried out largely in support of African Union and Somali government forces. The executive branch’s stretching of the 2001 war authorization against the original Al Qaeda to cover other Islamist groups in countries far from Afghanistan — even ones, like the Shabab, that did not exist at the time — has prompted recurring objections from some legal and foreign policy experts. The Shabab decision is expected to be publicly disclosed next month in a letter to Congress listing global deployments. It is part of the Obama administration’s pattern of relaxing various rules for airstrikes against Islamist militants as it tries to help its partner forces in several conflicts. In June, the administration quietly broadened the military’s authority to carry out airstrikes in Afghanistan to encompass operations intended “to achieve strategic effects,” meaning targeting people impeding the work of Afghan government forces, officials said. Previously, strikes in Afghanistan were permitted only in for counterterrorism operations targeting Qaeda or Islamic State forces, or to “prevent a strategic defeat” of Afghan forces. Later in the summer, the administration deemed Surt, Libya, an “area of active hostilities,” after the Libyan prime minister asked for assistance in dislodging Islamic State militants from that city. The move exempted the area from 2013 rules that restrict drone strikes and other counterterrorism operations away from battlefield zones, which President Obama had announced in a major speech that year that sought to turn a page in the war against Al Qaeda. As of last week, the Pentagon had carried out 420 airstrikes against militants in Surt since August. In Somalia, the 2013 rules limiting airstrikes away from “areas of active hostilities” still apply for now. But in practice, restrictions are being eased there in another way: Over the past year, the military has routinely invoked a exception to those rules for airstrikes taken in “” which can include strikes to help foreign partners even when Americans are not at direct risk. The Shabab grew up as an Islamist insurgency after 2007, when Ethiopia, with American support, invaded Somalia to overthrow an Islamist council that had briefly taken control of much of the country. The officials familiar with the internal deliberations spoke on the condition of anonymity. In a statement, Lisa Monaco, Mr. Obama’s top counterterrorism adviser, emphasized that the terrorist threat “is constantly evolving and requires an adaptable response. ” The administration’s strategy, Ms. Monaco said, “recognizes that we must more effectively partner with countries where terrorist networks take hold, enabling and empowering these partners to share the burden of combating these threats to our mutual interests. ” “Because the threats and enemies we face evolve and adapt,” she continued, “we must be flexible in confronting them where they are — always doing so consistent with our laws and our values. ” But some experts criticized the administration for using a congressional authorization as a justification to go to war with the Shabab. “It’s crazy that a piece of legislation that was grounded specifically in the experience of is now being repurposed for close air support for regional security forces in Somalia,” said Micah Zenko, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Under the 2001 authorization, the United States is engaged in an armed conflict with a specific organization, not every Islamist militant in the world. But that authority has proved elastic. In 2014, for example, Mr. Obama declared that the 2001 law authorized him to battle the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. An Army captain rejected that claim and argued that the Islamic State war was illegal because Congress had never explicitly approved it. Last week, a judge dismissed that lawsuit, without ruling on its merits. In Somalia, the United States had long taken the position that a handful of Shabab leaders, as individuals, had sufficient ties to Al Qaeda to make them wartime targets. But it has debated internally for years whether the Shabab as a whole, including their thousands of foot soldiers, can or should be declared part of the enemy. To qualify as an “associated force,” a group must be an organized armed body that has aligned with Al Qaeda and entered the fight against the United States or its partners. Officials declined to discuss whether there were specific new reasons to justify declaring that the Shabab could meet that standard. For now, the administration intends to continue its strategy in Somalia of primarily helping partner forces battle the Shabab — including carrying out airstrikes to defend them when they get into trouble during missions. It is not declaring Somalia an “area of active hostilities,” which would free up the American military to carry out airstrikes targeting militants more expansively. In particular, officials said, Somalia — unlike Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Surt — will continue to be subject to the Presidential Policy Guidance, the set of 2013 rules for drone strikes and other counterterrorism operations outside conventional war zones. The 2013 rules apply restraints on the use of lethal force outside areas of active hostilities. They include interagency review of proposed strikes and requirements that the target pose a threat to Americans — not just to American interests — and near certainty that no civilians would be killed. But the military always retains an inherent right to carry out strikes in its own defense, officials said, and it has conducted “collective ” strikes to aid partners in Somalia with growing frequency over the past year. On March 5, the military carried out a huge airstrike in Somalia that killed over 150 people said to be Shabab fighters planning to attack an African Union base where American advisers were stationed. The military undertook the strike without consulting Washington policy makers, calling it a matter of . The enormous death toll raised internal questions, officials said, about whether the exception in the 2013 rules had become a loophole permitting more unconstrained warfare. The dilemma sharpened in the following months as Somali government forces got into trouble and required “collective ” airstrikes to bail them out, even though no American advisers faced direct threat. The emerging pattern, officials said, brought to the surface an inherent conflict between two principles of Mr. Obama’s counterterrorism strategy: his effort to impose constraints on airstrikes outside war zones, as reflected in the 2013 rules, and his “light footprint” approach of building up and working with partner forces rather than using American forces to occupy countries. One problem, the officials said, is that the 2013 rules were written against the backdrop of operations at the time in Yemen, in which drones based abroad flew over the country, took planned shots and flew out again. But when American advisers are on the ground working with partners, as they are in Somalia, both the Americans and their partners attract fire or get into combat situations and need to be defended. “I think it’s a real tension,” said Luke Hartig, who was the senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council until this year. “We ask countries to go into the fight against our counterterrorism adversaries, but we have a stated policy of not using force against groups unless they pose a continuing and imminent threat to Americans. ” “At the same time, we don’t want to just be everyone’s air force,” said Mr. Hartig, who is now a fellow at New America, a think tank in Washington. The administration decided against exempting Somalia from the 2013 rules because its adherence to limits intended to avoid civilian casualties was seen as helping to maintain partner support for American operations. Another aspect of the dilemma the administration faces, the officials said, centers in part on the War Powers Resolution, a War law that limits combat deployments that Congress has not authorized to 60 days. After the March 5 airstrike, the administration argued that the War Powers Resolution limits did not apply to strikes made both to aid African Union forces battling the Shabab and to defend American advisers. The idea was that Americans had been deployed to Somalia in part to counter Shabab elements, so the 2001 authorization covered their presence and strikes to defend them from any threat. But as American partners have been going after the Shabab in general more often without any particular focus on individuals linked to Al Qaeda, it has been harder to point to any congressional authorization for such airstrikes that would satisfy the War Powers Resolution. As the election neared, the administration decided it would be irresponsible to hand off Somali counterterrorism operations to Mr. Obama’s successor with that growing tension unresolved. Now, as Mr. Zenko pointed out, “this administration leaves the Trump administration with tremendously expanded capabilities and authorities. ” | 1 |
WASHINGTON — President Obama is rethinking his plans to withdraw from the political arena after he leaves office next year, hinting to friends and supporters that he wants to add his voice to the shellshocked Democratic activists and elected officials who are now angrily vowing to oppose Donald J. Trump’s presidency. White House aides say they expect the president to try to refrain from criticism during the transition because of his belief in the importance of a courteous and dignified transfer of power. But while the president holds out hope that he might influence Mr. Trump, he has made it clear that once out of office he will not remain silent if Mr. Trump goes too far in undoing his legacy. “I’m going to be constrained in what I do with all of you until I am again a private citizen,” Mr. Obama, who will be living a few miles from the White House next year, told a meeting this past week of Organizing for Action, the group that maintains his political movement. “But that’s not so far off. ” Dozens of liberal advocacy groups, which have received a flood of donations and new members in the chaotic days since Mr. Trump’s defeat of Hillary Clinton, are gearing up for years of clashes with Mr. Trump. After eight years of advocacy on behalf of the Obama agenda, they are racing to recast themselves as bulwarks against Mr. Trump’s expected assault on an array of Democratic policies. The mobilization against Mr. Trump began even before his victory was official. At just after midnight on Election Day, panicked immigration rights activists gathered for a conference call to strategize. A few days later, more than 80 representatives of 57 progressive groups convened in the offices of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights in Washington. The mood was intense, angry and unforgiving, according to people who attended the confidential organizing session, which included representatives from labor, environmental groups, immigration activists, gay rights and civil rights organizations. Jim Messina, who managed Mr. Obama’s campaign, offered brief remarks at the meeting, cautioning against any attempts to compromise and work with Mr. Trump. “Push back at every level,” Mr. Messina urged. No one in the room objected, one attendee said. Nan Aron, the president of the Alliance for Justice, started calling law firms in Washington the day after the election, beginning the process of opposition research on Mr. Trump’s likely Supreme Court nominees. Dozens of lawyers eagerly signed up for what is sure to be a heated battle over the direction of the court for a generation. “They want to get involved,” she said. “They are worried about the new administration. ” Neera Tanden, an adviser to Mrs. Clinton and the president of the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, said her organization had begun hosting daily meetings and conference calls as it plots the best way to resist Mr. Trump. She called Mr. Trump’s first appointments extreme and said they had helped to “stiffen the spines” of Democrats. And she said the election had sparked a awakening, with largely peaceful protests across the country. Two planned rallies in Washington — one for immigration and civil rights on Jan. 14, and another focused on women the day after the inauguration — were devised mostly by social media campaigns. Activists in Washington expect hundreds of thousands of people to gather for the second rally. But Ms. Tanden warned of dangers posed by the Trump administration, and warned against treating them “in normal Washington political terms. ” “I think the issue is, we do have the makings of an administration that could do more damage to democratic norms than any presidency in my lifetime,” she said. Some Democrats say they are eager for Mrs. Clinton to after a period of recovery interrupted so far only by a speech to the Children’s Defense Fund on Wednesday. It is unclear when, or if, she might return to politics, though many Democrats said they would welcome it. “She’s one tough lady, and public service is in her blood,” said Representative Adam Schiff of California. “Don’t expect her to go quietly into that good night. ” But the immediate task of confronting Mr. Trump will fall to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the new Democratic leader. Mr. Schumer has already alarmed some progressives in Washington with his talk of trying to cut deals with the new president on issues where their interests align. But he said on Friday that Democrats in the Senate would not hesitate to confront Mr. Trump. “When he takes a divisive, nasty turn, when he just sides with special interests and gets by the Republican right, we will oppose him tooth and nail,” Mr. Schumer said in an interview. That is not nearly enough for some liberal activists, who view Mr. Trump not as a traditional policy adversary to be challenged but a fundamental threat to democracy who must be confronted and destroyed. “This is a crisis of unparalleled dimension,” said Wade Henderson, the president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of liberal groups in Washington. A disagreement over strategy threatens to sow division among Democrats, some of whom advocate finding ways to work with Mr. Trump. That approach could help senators who face in 2018, especially in states where Mr. Trump trounced Mrs. Clinton. Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia announced on Friday that he would support Mr. Trump’s nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions to be attorney general. Others, like Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, say Democrats should work with Mr. Trump in areas where they have similar goals (though Mr. Blumenthal also warned against ceding ground on issues like civil rights). By contrast, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, whose fierce criticisms of Mr. Trump on the campaign trail often verged on the apocalyptic, rejects compromise with Mr. Trump. She says he is mounting an effort “to turn this country into something very different than it is. ” “On basic issues of humanity, we don’t give an inch,” she insisted in an interview on Friday. “Be very, very clear about what we won’t compromise on and very clear about what we’re fighting for. If we have clarity, the American people are with us. ” Senator Christopher Murphy of Connecticut reflected the uncertainty among Democrats, who are still trying to assess the implications of a Trump administration and how to respond. “We don’t know yet if it is a threat to democratic norms,” he said, “or to policy. ” For Mr. Obama, a return to the partisan fray was never the intention. His library and foundation will serve as a platform for him to travel around the world, confront systemic issues of race relations, and push for technological change aimed at improving society. But that vision assumed that his presidential legacy would be protected and nurtured by Mrs. Clinton in the Oval Office. In his remarks to activists, Mr. Obama urged them to stop moping and to ratchet up their opposition to Mr. Trump by Thanksgiving. He promised to join their cause soon after, telling them: “You’re going to see me early next year, and we’re going to be in a position where we can start cooking up all kinds of great stuff to do. ” He has echoed that message in private conversations, making it clear that he may not completely pattern himself after George W. Bush, who almost never criticized his successor. One friend of Mr. Obama’s, who requested anonymity to discuss private discussions with the president, said the election results seemed to have made him more willing to remain part of the political debate. “Everyone he talks to walks away with this impression,” the friend said. In an interview with The New Yorker this week, Mr. Obama said that if Mrs. Clinton had won the election, he might have just turned over the keys and walked away on Inauguration Day. With Mr. Trump’s victory, he said he felt “some responsibility to at least offer my counsel” to the Democratic Party’s political warriors he leaves behind in Washington. Exactly how — and when — Mr. Obama would once again engage in direct and public opposition to Mr. Trump’s agenda is unclear. “I don’t know what President Obama will do,” Ms. Tanden said. “But I know that he loves the foundations of democracy. If he thinks that’s threatened, I imagine he might speak out. ” | 1 |
Theresa Crouse November 13, 2016 Survival Pharmacy: 9 Ways To Use Ginger For Your Health
Ginger has been used for centuries for medicinal and culinary purposes. Though we don’t use it commonly in much American cooking, you’re likely familiar with pickled ginger when you eat sushi and it’s also becoming a popular dried and candied product.
The medicinal properties and ease of growth make ginger a plant that you should definitely be growing for your survival garden!
I’ve been growing ginger in a potted plant inside, which is the best way to grow it if you live in a small space or a region that gets cold. It doesn’t like the cold, so if you live in a cooler area, you need to grow it indoors or outdoors in pots so that you can bring it inside before the frost.
The actual growing part is easy but first, let’s clarify something. Ginger isn’t a root; it’s a rhizome. It does have roots, which are the long, hairy-looking parts that draw in moisture just like roots do for any other plant. Rhizomes are actually underground parts of the stem. They grow horizontally under the ground, with roots on the bottom. New stems grow from the top to the surface.
It’s the rhizome part that we eat, but most people refer to it as ginger root, so we’ll still do the same. Ginger rhizomes grow buds, or eyes, similar to potatoes. Those are the parts that will grow.
What Part do you Plant?
Planting ginger is similar to planting potatoes; you plant the buds that grow off of the rhizome. On a potato, we call them eyes. You can buy the rhizome at your local garden store or order from a seed store. Another option is to just allow a ginger root that you buy from the grocery store to bud, then plant it.
One problem with using one from a grocery store is that they’re often sprayed with growth inhibitors to keep them from budding while they’re on the shelf. You can soak the ginger to get as much of this off as possible, but you still may have problems getting it to bud. If you can, then go for it!
Another problem with using a store-bought one is that it may have pesticides or herbicides on it. To resolve both problems you could buy organic. It’s a bit more expensive but if you can’t find anything at your local stores, then this is a good option.
Perfect Growing Conditions
Ginger likes rich, moist soil, partial or full shade, humidity, and warm weather. The soil needs to drain well in order for the rhizomes to develop. They grow horizontally, so they’re one of the few plants that flourish in shallow containers. I live in Florida, so my soil is sandy and the weather is, of course, temperate so I could plant outside if I wanted to.
I just scoop soil right out of the ground for my dirt, then mix it half and half with compost . Since I use a pot (actually a rectangular box) and rich soil I don’t add any type of fertilizer. The plant will only grow 2-3 feet tall and it smells great.
If you plant it outside in soil that’s less than ideal, or if you get a lot of rain, give it a drink of the fertilizer or compost tea of your choice every couple of weeks or so. The reason for this is that when it rains, the water washes all the nutrients out of the soil.
Put mulch around it too. That helps keep the moisture in and it nourishes the plant as the mulch decomposes. It also helps keep out weeds because ginger is pretty delicate and other plants will plow it right over. It doesn’t like wind, either.
So … to recount, no wind, no cold, no full sun, and not too much water. Instead, it likes rich, well-draining soil, moderate moisture, and partial sun or shade.
Preparing and Planting
If your rhizome has more than one bud, you can cut it into pieces, leaving a bud on each piece, then plant them. You can also just plant the entire thing. Let the rhizomes soak overnight, then bury them 3-6 inches deep and water sparingly, just enough to moisten the soil. Some people prefer to let them sit in water until the grow roots before they plant them, but I haven’t found that to be necessary.
Best time to plant is late winter/early spring as long as you’re not planting outside in a cold zone. If you live in a tropical zone, plant it at the end of the dry season/beginning of rainy season.
You don’t need much space to plant enough ginger to get you through the year. Each rhizome will only produce a few leaves the first year and they don’t mind living in close quarters. Plant them 6-8 inches apart and they’ll be fine. Video first seen on DIY Home and Garden .
Harvesting Ginger
This is the best part! Once your ginger has been growing for three or four months, you can trim pieces of the rhizome off of it simply by digging through the soil to the side of the plant and just nipping a piece off the end, then covering it back up. This green ginger won’t be quite as flavorful as ripe ginger, but it’s still good.
You can also wait until the end of the season and harvest the ginger when the plant starts to die off. This takes about ten months to happen. If the temperature allows (or if you’re growing inside), you can replant right away. Harvest all of the ginger, break the rhizomes apart, and separate out a few that have good buds.
Toss those back in the ground or pot and use the rest. Ginger freezes well. You can also store it for several months in a root cellar, slice it thinly and dehydrate it, candy it, or pickle it. If you dry it, you can grind it into ginger powder that is great for baking or medicinal use.
Medicinal Uses for Ginger
Now we’re down the heart of the matter – why growing ginger is a good thing for a prepper to do. The active ingredient in ginger – gingerol – is an antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. It’s also an anti-coagulant. There’s a reason ginger is considered a superfood!
1. Heart Disease and Stroke
Since it’s an anti-coagulant, which means it prevents your blood from clotting, it can help you avoid heart attacks and strokes. Its antioxidant properties also help fight free radicals that cause heart disease, so it’s a double whammy.
2. Stomach Upset, Heartburn, and other GI problems
Ginger has been used in holistic medicine for centuries to treat all sorts of upper gastrointestinal problems. It’s good for stomach upset, heartburn, constipation, bloating, and even morning sickness during pregnancy. That’s because it helps induce the stomach to release its contents into the small intestine.
It’s also effective at treating ulcers.
This is now officially backed by science. I actually use it to get rid of heartburn by eating a slice or two of candied ginger. You can also drink it in a tea for quick relief.
3. Motion Sickness
Though this is going to be a short section, it’s well warranted because ginger has actually been shown in at least one study to treat motion sickness, especially seasickness, more effectively than Dramamine! Ginger doesn’t just ease the nausea; it treats ALL of the symptoms: nausea, cold sweats, and dizziness.
4. Strengthens Immune System
Interestingly enough, ginger’s beneficial effect on digestion also helps your immune system because, in addition to the antioxidants, a healthy digestive tract is required for proper nutrient absorption.
Not only that, gingerol has the effect of boosting your body temperature – maybe that’s why gingerbread is so great in the winter! –which may help remove toxins that prevent your immune system from functioning properly.
5. Arthritis, Muscle Soreness, and Joint Pain
Since gingerol is an anti-inflammatory, it’s extremely effective at relieving the pain and swelling of arthritis. People with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis report noticeable relief of pain as well as increased mobility when they consume ginger regularly.
Have you had a rough workout? Eat some ginger or drink ginger tea. You’ll feel better shortly!
This isn’t just something that “people say”. It’s been quantitatively measured in studies where arthritic inflammation was measurably decreased. In other words – it works!!
6. Fight Staph and Strep
Again, science prevails. Recent studies have shown that ginger essential oil was more effective than traditional antibiotics at treating staph and strep infections. If nothing else, it won’t hurt to take it if you’re going to be in a hospital or round somebody who’s sick.
And if you’re sick, ginger doesn’t interact with other medications so you can’t do any harm! Oh, and other studies have shown that it’s just as effective on other types of bacteria.
7. Diabetes
This is extremely new research, but it’s big, especially since we, as preppers, don’t have any way to prepare for life without access to many life-saving medications. Insulin is one of those drugs that are absolutely critical for survival but doesn’t have an effective natural alternative – at least until (hopefully) now.
Two grams of ginger powder per day was shown to decrease resting blood sugar by 12 percent. Instead of getting really scientific here, I’m just going to give you a link to the research findings so that you can see the details and additional results.
8. Menstrual Pain
One gram of ginger powder per day works as well for many women to relieve menstrual cramps and pain as ibuprofen.
9. Enhance Brain Function and Prevent Alzheimer’s
Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger, studies have shown that it can help prevent cognitive decline. It can also help prevent disorders such as Alzheimer’s, which wasn’t’ actually a surprise to me once I read the results of the diabetes study – Alzheimer’s has actually been commonly referred to in many circles in recent years as Type 3 diabetes.
You can reap any of these benefits by eating ginger raw, candied, or by making a tea with it. You can also juice it, but I’ve found that to be ineffective in a manual juicer. Even in an electric juicer, you don’t get much juice from ginger and it requires a high-power juicer because it’s so hard.
There’s also the option of making an essential oil, which isn’t as difficult as you may think.
Ginger is an amazing food that’s easy to grow, doesn’t take up much space, and has medicinal properties that could very well save lives if SHTF.
I hope that this information has helped. I seriously drink this particular Kool-Aid so I know for a fact that it works, at least for stomach problems and joint pain, so I’m happy to vouch for it from a personal standpoint. There are many other benefits – I just touched on a few of the most important ones here.
I’ve discussed the health benefits of garlic and other plants for the same reason – grow them, too!
If you’ve grown ginger or have any health benefits or personal success (or report of a tall-tale), please share it with us in the comments section below.
Knowledge is the most important survival skill. Discover how our ancestors grew, harvested and used survival plants during harsh times.
Theresa Crouse for Survivopedia. 3 total views, 1 views today | 0 |
68 King World News
On the heels of a continued takedown in the gold and silver markets and chaos in bond markets, today King World News is pleased to present an extremely important update on the war in the gold market from Michael Oliver at MSA. Oliver allowed KWN exclusively to share this key report with our global audience after today’s takedown in the gold market.
A more complete report is available to MSA subscribers, but here are a few key portions of today’s major update on the gold market:
By Michael Oliver, MSA (Momentum Structural Analysis) November 23 ( King World New s) – Gold futures (the nearest active contract) in a price point-and-figure format chart. $20×3 block reversal since the 2011 peak (see chart below).
Around $1240 in February of this year (black arrow) price broke through a 45° downtrending resistance line that traced back to the 2011 peak above $1900.
What Does It All Mean? Action has since worked upward and to the right of the breakout (annual momentum, shown in the next chart, broke out at $1140 to $1160 in February, about $100 before price broke out). Note the flat floor of price readings at $1200, now there for a third time. If one references price only, then a litmus test is to take out the prior flat lows at $1200 with an $1180 print (December gold). $1180 has not yet been traded, with the low so far on Wednesday just above there. Any three upticks following that will likely generate a turn that “takes.” Meaning if we see $1180, then $1240 is an escape to the upside signal. If price halts at $1200, never touching $1180, then $1260 provides those upticks… IMPORTANT: To find out which company Doug Casey, Rick Rule and Sprott Asset Management are pounding the table on that already has a staggering 18.1 million ounces of gold that just added another massive deposit and is quickly being recognized as one of the greatest gold opportunities in the world – CLICK HERE OR BELOW: Sponsored
If $1200 does come out with an $1180 downtick, then look across the chart and you’ll see that $1180 has twice been a pivotal balance point. During the crash gold low of June 2013, and the rally high just before the drive to the late 2015 low (low then was a set of downticks to $1060). So dropping back to $1180 will touch that pivotal horizontal level again, as noted by the red line.
If one wanted to use this price point and figure tool exclusively, then while $1180 is acceptable, especially if we get three upticks after that (back up to $1240), $1160 is not so good looking. Let’s look at a totally different type of chart now. MSA’s long-term annual momentum chart of gold.
A Look Back At How We Got Here Looking back: 3-yr. avg. momentum was the prime indicator that shifted MSA to major bear in January 2012 (either side of $1700). At that point a very clear 3-point momentum uptrend structure was broken below. And subsequent action never was able to get back above that level, particularly not on a monthly closing basis. Noted with the red line (see charts below).
Then in February 2016 the same indicator broke out upside through a flat multi-year base as price moved through $1140- $1160 zone, which caused annual momentum to again move through its new key structural red line. Current pullback is the sharpest one since the bull emerged and is somewhat reminiscent of the sharp rally in late 2012 which reached to the upper $1700s (from prior lows in mid-$1500s). That rally tested our bearish resolve then. While that rally was impressive on price, on momentum it was not so impressive. It simply was not altering to the damage already done earlier in 2012.
Now we have a decline that did not reach clear resistance (around 20% over the zero line/3-yr. avg., black horizontal arrow), meaning that it is basically turning down from the middle of nowhere, technically speaking. And at the present time is only nearing the levels on momentum that generated the upside breakout. And so far it’s the first pullback that involves double-digit percent drop for momentum (about a 15% downswing when measured from its percentage peak above the 3-yr. avg. which is $1244 this year, to its current percentage low below that average).
THE BIG PICTURE: MSA Remains Bullish On Gold! Does the drop negate anything? No. At what level would MSA say that the integrity of the positive momentum uptrend is in jeopardy or at least in serious doubt? Close out a month back below the red horizontal. That’s 8.5% or more below the 3-yr. avg. which for this year means don’t close a month out at $1138 or lower.
This is the BIG PICTURE of gold from MSA’s vantage point. (Greater specifics and more detailed shorter-term analysis are available to our institutional subscribers). Whether you find it useful depends upon your time-scale of measurement and what’s significant to you. If you are a trader then maybe getting within a few percent of that annual momentum support level (prior upside breakout level) presents you with a risk control level and therefore can buy with low risk. But otherwise this particular trend indicator (annual momentum) only changes major trend every several or handful of years, and while it might provide some intra-trend points of reference (such as that +20% level on the oscillator which was resistance, though not reached) often is only a broad guide to which side has the upper hand. And unless we see a close back inside that momentum chart base, MSA assumes this is simply a sharp corrective pullback.
Keep A Close Eye On Silver Many watch the gold/silver relationship as an indicator of the net trend of the precious metals. If silver is in a positive trend vs. gold it is deemed to be a positive factor for ongoing bull trend in these metals. Or, for the spread chart shown here, if the trend of these readings turns down that indicates positive performance by silver vs. gold, as it requires fewer ozs. of silver to buy 1 oz. of gold.
Current upticks on this chart are not negating in the least the major multi-year trend shift that occurred earlier this year. The silver/gold relationship still bodes well for higher silver and gold prices.
Is One Of Richard Russell’s Last And Most Shocking Predictions Now Unfolding? | 0 |
Leave a reply
Bill Still – Good evening, I’m still reporting on Trump. We don’t know her name. We don’t know where she lives. All we know is she is married with at least two children. She put her kids in the car and then decided to record what was in her heart as she was heading out to vote.
I’m still reporting from Washington. Good day.
Bill Still is a former newspaper editor and publisher. He has written for USA Today, The Saturday Evening Post, the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, OMNI magazine, and has also produced the syndicated radio program, Health News. He has written 22 books and two documentary videos and is the host of his wildly popular daily YouTube Channel the “Still Report”, the quintessential report on the economy and Washington. SF Source Bill Still | 0 |
George Michael, the English songwriter and pop star who died at 53 on Sunday, was a reliably outstanding live performer, though after a world tour promoting his album “Faith” in 1988 and 1989, he turned away from the road. He never gave his 1990 album “Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1” a proper tour, instead performing a set of cover songs in 1991 before he took a lengthy break from the road. He returned to the stage in 2006, and reached the United States two years later with a show that demonstrated he had no intention of becoming an oldies act, as The New York Times’s chief pop, critic Jon Pareles, wrote at the time. Here are five performances from 1985 to 2008 that showcase Mr. Michael’s range as a live artist: [ Why George Michael mattered | Read the obituary ] “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley with Elton John at Live Aid, 1985 In 1991, a live version of George Michael and Elton John’s duet, written by Mr. John and Bernie Taupin, reached No. 1 in the United States and Britain. But the duo had performed it live for the first time six years earlier during Mr. John’s set at Live Aid, where he introduced Mr. Michael as someone he admired “very much for his musical talent, more than anything else. ” In his trademark sunglasses and leather jacket, Mr. Michael commanded the stage — so much so that at the 4:30 mark, Mr. John starts grinning and pointing at Mr. Michael with approval and pride. “Somebody to Love,” George Michael and Queen at Wembley Stadium, 1992 An array of artists appeared alongside Queen to honor the band’s frontman at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness, including Axl Rose, Liza Minnelli, David Bowie and Seal. But Mr. Michael’s performances at the event were particularly inspired — in 1993, he released an EP of live tracks from the show, including “Somebody to Love,” the 1976 Queen song with a swooping vocal line that beautifully displayed Mr. Michael’s silky range. “Freedom! ’90” at the MTV Europe Awards, 1994 George Michael performed twice at the MTV Europe Awards in 1994. He opened the show with this exuberant rendition of “Freedom! ’90,” and then returned to debut the far more somber “Jesus to a Child,” a tribute to his partner, Anselmo Feleppa, who had died of an illness. The first performance put the spotlight on Mr. Michael’s energetic showmanship. The arrangement accentuated the song’s soulfulness, with a chorus of backup singers approximating an ecstatic choir, especially as Mr. Michael moved into the song’s bridge around the mark. “Everything She Wants” on “MTV Unplugged,” 1996 Mr. Michael was always as comfortable stripping his songs down to their bare elements as he was gliding across a stage shaking his hips (an acoustic guitar was perhaps the most memorable weapon in his arsenal, thanks to “Faith”). In his “MTV Unplugged” performance, he gave this Wham! hit a remake with eight powerhouse backup singers. “Careless Whisper” at Earl’s Court, 2008 Mr. Michael returned to live performance in 2006 for his first extensive run of live shows in 15 years. The tour, which stretched into 2008, was billed as a sort of 25th anniversary concert, and it featured songs from across his career, including “Too Funky,” “Father Figure” and “Kissing a Fool. ” Each leg of the tour, however, included “Careless Whisper,” one of Mr. Michael’s biggest hits. The only crime here is that the crowd shouts the majority of the bridge: At the 2:36 mark, Mr. Michael generously lets the audience take the lead with “you know you want to!” | 1 |
When Ginella Massa, a TV reporter, recently accepted a request to host an evening newscast, she was not planning or expecting to make history for wearing a hijab. She was just covering for a colleague who wanted to go to a hockey game. And that’s how Ms. Massa, who works at CityNews in Toronto, became the first Canadian woman to host a newscast from a large media company while wearing the head scarf. Her newscast, broadcast on Nov. 17, became the subject of social media celebration, and news sites around the world heralded her. “It’s been a little insane the last two weeks,” Ms. Massa, 29, said in an interview. “My phone hasn’t stopped ringing. I’m still working, so I’m trying to field calls and messages and everything in between. ” Ms. Massa’s newscast was one of a string of recent stories about young women, or hijabis, who have pushed boundaries by strolling into spaces where the standards of appearance tend to be restrictive. Nura Afia, a from Colorado, was hired as a CoverGirl makeup ambassador. And Halima Aden, a from Minnesota, was a contestant in a beauty pageant. Ms. Aden sported a hijab and, during the swimwear portion of the competition, a burkini. “All my relatives in Somalia are like, ‘We don’t know what pageants are,’ ” Ms. Aden told NPR, “ ‘but congratulations.’ ” This new trend of inclusion occurs amid a more sinister one, as reported hate crimes against Muslims are on the rise in the United States and Canada. The F. B. I. says that a surge in hate crimes against Muslims has led to an overall increase in hate crimes in the United States Muslims have borne the brunt of the increase with 257 recorded attacks. A spike in bias attacks has been reported since the election of Donald J. Trump, with episodes ranging from an attack against a Muslim police officer in New York City to vandalism of a mosque in Massachusetts. (The crimes, which include and racist attacks, are so frequent The Times is tracking them weekly.) In Canada, where Ms. Massa has lived since she was a year old, the number of reported hate crimes has dropped slightly overall, but the number of recorded attacks against Muslims has grown: 99 attacks were reported in 2014, according to an analysis by the news site Global News of data from Statistics Canada, a government agency. That number doubled from the 45 reported in 2012. On Twitter, Ms. Massa has been flooded with compliments for her work on CityNews, but with the good comes an influx of hateful messaging. “The more exposure I get,” Ms. Massa said, “the more hate I get. Which I guess comes with the territory. ” She added: “You take the good with the bad. ” Her colleagues, who have also received hate mail, have spoken out publicly in Ms. Massa’s defense. When it comes to her detractors, Ms. Massa has adopted the following credo: “That negative reaction comes from reading a headline and seeing a photo and deciding they don’t like the way I look. That’s not my problem. That’s theirs. ” In that vein, instances of inclusion will continue. Companies are responding to a demand that is clear in commerce and expansive on social media: The Muslim cosmetics and care market is projected to reach $80 billion by 2020. Last year, HM hired a hijabi model who was discovered on Instagram. Elsewhere on the platform, an account featuring a Barbie, Hijarbie, has more than 76, 000 followers. A Muslim teenager has created a plan to bring hijabi emojis to phone keyboards everywhere. And Ms. Afia was discovered after amassing a following on YouTube. Not everyone wants to see a woman in a head scarf represented in popular culture, and that even includes some Muslim women, who believe that a hijab represents only one side of a large and diverse religion. Even the word “hijab” belies how complex the uses of the scarf can be: It’s a catchall term for scarves that differ by type and trend. Not all Muslim women wear head coverings. Some believe the hijab is not a religious requirement, while others view it as a symbol of oppression. The reasons a woman chooses to wear a hijab can be highly personal, with some seeing modesty as its own form of empowerment. “We live in a strange society where walking around half naked is acceptable but being modest and covering up is frowned upon,” a reader named Safiya told The Times in 2015. Celene Ibrahim, a Muslim chaplain at Tufts University, said that these examples of Muslim women wearing the hijab were encouraging but that they also highlighted obstacles to come. In particular, the visible symbol suggests a uniformity in the Muslim community that is not accurate. The community looks very different “depending on who you ask,” Ms. Ibrahim said in an interview. “And I think that diversity is something that people are really struggling to get their minds around. ” She added: “There’s also the sense that Muslims would just like to be able to participate in American culture without necessarily feeling the stigma of always having to represent Muslims. ” | 1 |
In a college gymnasium this month in Newark, Senator Cory A. Booker introduced Hillary Clinton to the crowd. It took him nearly 13 minutes. He piled praise on her and bashed her Republican rival, quoting Thomas Jefferson, Maya Angelou, Abraham Lincoln and even a 1980s song by Jon Bon Jovi, a New Jersey native. “I hate to contradict Bon Jovi,” Mr. Booker said. “But dear God, Hillary Clinton, you give love a good name. ” Mrs. Clinton waved her arms in the air, as if marking the end of a tent revival that lasted a touch too long. She patted Mr. Booker on the back, a much less effusive embrace than the one she had given to Mr. Bon Jovi, who was standing nearby. Ambitious Democrats like Mr. Booker have started to audition as their presumptive presidential nominee considers who should join her on the national ticket. There is much for Mrs. Clinton to consider, including competence, agreement on policy and geography. Yet Mrs. Clinton’s advisers and those who have gone through the process emphasize an equally important, if more elusive, quality: chemistry. Mrs. Clinton needs a No. 2 who can ease into the insular and often distrusting Clinton orbit. And a running mate whose company Mrs. Clinton genuinely enjoys could help present a joyful picture to voters, after a primary season that was sometimes dreary. “When the chemistry works, it communicates enthusiasm and a team and the likelihood of success and progress,” said Michael Feldman, who was an aide to former Vice President Al Gore. “But it can’t be an arranged marriage with someone she meshes well with on paper,” he added. “It very much has to be real. ” Mrs. Clinton’s aides began collecting information last week on as many as 10 candidates. James Hamilton, a Washington lawyer who is overseeing the vetting, will begin meeting with candidates as early as this week. Senior Democrats, thinking about both the fall election and a potential in four years, said the right choice would stir up enthusiasm on the campaign trail, enhancing Mrs. Clinton’s strengths while not outshining her or overtaking events. Mrs. Clinton is warm and personable one on one, the Democrats said, which creates an easy camaraderie when she teams up with people she likes. In San Antonio, Mrs. Clinton seemed to light up in the presence of Julián Castro, the city’s former mayor and now the secretary of housing in the Obama administration. She grabbed his hand and thrust it skyward at an outdoor rally, and the two glided naturally on the rope line, snapping selfies. The photos from the event, with Mrs. Clinton, 68, beaming next to Mr. Castro, 41, turned out so well that cable networks often show the campaign’s images of the two together on screen when Mrs. Clinton calls in for phone interviews. On a Saturday night in Youngstown, Ohio, Representative Tim Ryan and Mrs. Clinton made a surprise visit to O’Donold’s Irish Pub and Grill for a couple pints of Guinness. Mrs. Clinton leaned comfortably on the bar next to Mr. Ryan and smiled widely as “Born in the U. S. A. ” blared from the jukebox. Mr. Ryan, holding his pint in the air, as the packed bar followed suit, said, “To Hillary! The next president of the United States. ” Mrs. Clinton threw her head back and laughed, then took a long swig of beer. Last month, at a stop at the Court Street Diner in Athens, Ohio, Mrs. Clinton warmly embraced Senator Sherrod Brown, whose policy expertise Mrs. Clinton has said she admires. They made their way, practically arm in arm, through the narrow diner, talking to voters and meeting a developmentally disabled man, Noah, whom Mr. Brown introduced to Mrs. Clinton as “my friend. ” “How can you not love Athens?” Mrs. Clinton said. Mr. Brown nodded. Dr. Lillian Glass, a body language expert, was struck by Mrs. Clinton’s ease with Mr. Brown. “Her body is leaning into his, and she never leans into anybody. She adores that guy,” she said in a telephone interview. “And you can tell that he knows his place. You don’t see him trying to take over. ” In many ways, Mrs. Clinton’s search mirrors that of George Bush, who already had deep relationships with major players in Washington by the time he captured the Republican nomination in 1988, Dan Quayle, his running mate, said in an interview. The contenders most frequently mentioned by her advisers and senior Democrats close to the campaign include Senator Michael Bennet, from the key state of Colorado Thomas E. Perez, President Obama’s secretary of labor and a Hispanic civil rights lawyer Representative Xavier Becerra of California and Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both former governors from Virginia. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is a favorite of liberal Democrats, though an ticket is unlikely. All of these candidates have relationships with Mrs. Clinton, and several have appeared with her at campaign events. “This isn’t a thing,” Mr. Quayle said in a phone interview. “It’s much more the feeling of the two principals, and someone she’s going to feel comfortable with every day. ” Still, a connection can take hold between two candidates on a presidential ticket who are just getting to know each other. In 1992, Bill Clinton selected Mr. Gore, another youthful Southern Democrat, to reinforce his message that a new kind of Democratic Party was emerging. The two men and their young families proved an electric combination on the campaign trail. In a telephone interview, Walter Mondale recalled when he and his wife, Joan, first met with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in Georgia in 1976. “Joan said, ‘He’s going to pick you,’” Mr. Mondale said. “I said, ‘Why?’ and she said, ‘Because we all get along perfectly.’ And we still do today. ” Barack Obama and Joseph R. Biden Jr. did not know each other well when the Obama campaign decided the first nominee of a major party needed a scrappy and experienced running mate who could appeal to white voters. Mrs. Clinton has made clear she wants a partner who shares her granular knowledge of policy and who she will enjoy working closely with in the West Wing. Although she is at ease with younger hopefuls like Mr. Castro, Mrs. Clinton has also relished policy conversations with Mr. Perez, a favorite of labor unions, her advisers said. (Senator Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, has expressed concern that selecting Mr. Brown would leave a vacancy in the Senate that a Republican would probably be appointed to fill.) Mrs. Clinton may be forced to ignore such factors, Democrats said, and think about whom she most prefers to spend the next four to eight years working with. “It’s like getting married without any divorce proceedings possible,” Mr. Mondale said. The partnership extends to the running mates’ spouses, who will spend ample time together, and in Mrs. Clinton’s case includes an opinionated former president. Nancy Reagan famously did not like Mr. Bush and his wife, Barbara, but Mr. Bush was determined to “show his skills in figuring out how to make Reagan his friend,” said Joel K. Goldstein, a professor and expert at Saint Louis University School of Law. Michael S. Dukakis said that he had not spent much time with Senator Lloyd M. Bentsen Jr. of Texas before he picked him as his running mate in 1988, but that they ended up getting along well, adding, “Our wives had a great relationship. ” Of course, Mr. Dukakis ran years before social media and a hyperkinetic press corps dissected every aspect of the most critical partnership in politics. That means the comfort level has to be real, or the internet will pick up on any hint of tension and turn it viral. In fact, interest in how the first female presidential nominee at the top of a major ticket would interact with a nominee is such a source of speculation and intrigue, it has inspired Hollywood writers. In HBO’s comedy “Veep,” Selina Meyer, the foulmouthed title character portrayed by Julia who stumbled her way into the presidency, is hilariously overshadowed by her charming and more competent running mate. “You never want a vice president that makes people start to think, ‘Boy, it’s a shame he or she isn’t at the top of the ticket,’” said David H. Mandel, an executive producer of the show. “It’s that magical balance. ” | 1 |
The United Nations Human Rights Commission has expressed concerns about a video that captures members of a youth militia in Burundi singing about raping their adversaries. [“Impregnate those opponents, so that they give birth to Imbonerakure,” says the troubling verse in the song. The Imbonerakure are the youth wing of President Pierre Nkurunziza’s party (“youth” defined as “any party member age 35 or younger,” according to an NPR report on the group). Their name means “those who see far” in the Kurundi language. The opposition in Burundi has accused the Imbonerakure of militant violence, including dressing up as policemen to attack opposition demonstrators. Some of this violence has resulted in fatalities, as the militia has been known to use machetes and grenades in its attacks. The military has allegedly provided guns and explosives to the Imbonerakure. In rural Burundi, they are said to have more power than the military or police. Nkurunziza’s party denies the most damaging allegations against the Imbonerakure or distances itself from the youth militia when it becomes politically inconvenient. The latter course seems to have been pursued here. At first, the claimed the video showing the “rape song” was a fake filmed outside Burundi, but later it admitted the footage was authentic and said the song “does not conform to the morals or ideology” of the party. A spokesman for the U. N. High Commissioner for Human Rights told Voice of America the Imbonerakure are waging a campaign of terror across Burundi that includes “horrendous” acts of torture such as “people being burnt with hot knives, acid being poured over parts of their body, teeth broken with rifle butts,” and “attacks on sexual organs. ” “These grotesque rape chants by the young men of the Imbonerakure across several provinces across Burundi are deeply alarming — particularly because they confirm what we have been hearing from those who have fled Burundi about a campaign of fear and terror by this organized militia,” said spokesman Rupert Colville. He added that his office has received reports of at least eight large rallies that included songs and slogans promoting rape and violence, and that senior government officials were present at some of them. Burundi has been teetering on the edge of civil war for years. The previous civil war ended in 2005, after killing some 300, 000 people, with a peace plan that limited Nkurunziza to two terms in office. However, he ran for and won a third term, claiming that his first term in office was ordained by parliament instead of the popular vote, so it should not count against the constitutional term limit. Burundi’s constitutional court accepted this argument, but many citizens did not. His government has become increasingly repressive, especially after a failed coup attempt against him in 2015. Burundi is one of those nations where “insulting the president” is a crime punishable by jail time, even if the perpetrators are high school children. Much of the political violence in Burundi has an ethnic component, as the is a party of the Hutu tribe, while many victims of oppression are members of the Tutsi minority, the same tribal conflict that turned Rwanda into a bloodbath. The U. N. High Commission for Human Rights chronicles numerous complaints of violence and the incitement to violence by officials and the Imbonerakure militia, noting that “coded language” about raping adversaries or making them disappear is all too easy to decode in a nation only a few years removed from bloody civil war. “The Government needs to stop pretending that the Imbonerakure are nothing but a community development group,” said High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad . “Such blatant and brazen hate speech and incitement to violence must not be tolerated, nor encouraged. In a region which has suffered so many massive outbreaks of violence and atrocities, this type of organized incitement rings very loud alarm bells. ” | 1 |
License DMCA " If we regard money as a thing, it becomes a given, and we lose our ability to change it in any way. . . . When we understand that money is created by a set of understandings and practices, we can begin examining the terms of these agreements to see whether they actually serve our collective aspirations and objectives. Currencies can be redesigned to better meet our needs." Bernard Lietaer In the first article of this series, following Lietaer, we defined money for what it is; an agreement within a community to use something as a medium of exchange. We noted that money is not stuff in the normal sense. Instead, it is numbers in a system of accounting. Sometimes something physical is used to represent the numbers in this accounting system, but it is just that, a symbol, not the money itself. Our current money has no physical representation. We then discussed how money works in its simplest form; a mutual accounting system. We noted that money involves commitments and claims on commitment. Commitments relate to debits, and claims on commitment relate to credits in the accounting system. In this analysis we intentionally did not use the commonly recited functions of money; medium of exchange, unit of account, store of value, and standard of deferred payment. The reason is that the latter two functions replace and obscure the fact that money is the measure of commitment and claims on commitment, which underlie store and standard. In the second article , we discussed the social implications of money, and the concept of capital. We introduced the rights/responsibility equation; how in a democracy, with every right there is a corresponding responsibility, commitments and claims on commitment being an example of the more general concept. We went on to define money capital;money capital is a large claim on commitment, and it relies on the commitment of its users to get this claim; again an example of fact that for every credit, there is a corresponding debit, following the rights/responsibility equation. In the third article , we described our present private-for-profit money system, and noted that in the present system, the rights/responsibility equation is ignored. Money is created by fiat, without acknowledging that the money created represents a commitment on the part of all of its users to the operation and stability of the money issue. The fact that this commitment is not acknowledged gives the managers of the money system great power over its users. They decide what money is to be created for, and what actions it will support. Money is created for its creator's profit. In support of this argument, we disaggregated profit, demonstrating its two functions; providing compensation for time and effort exerted, and an unearned portion that is a private tax on the market. This private tax goes to the owners of the banking system and for profit businesses. - Advertisement - In the fourth article , we discussed alternatives that are currently being considered. We found that Central Government created fiat money has many of the characteristics of private-for-profit money. It is a top down, authority managed form of money that again ignores the commitment of its users to its operation and stability. A second weakness is that it leaves in place the private-for-profit banks as the interface between the users of the money and its creators. Thus the issue of the unearned private tax on its users is not properly dealt with. It is noted that historically, government created money has, over time been corrupted and taken over by the bankers, because of this weakness. In the fifth article we discussed natural and human capital. We noted that natural capital was here before humans came on the scene, and that it was treated as a commons by early man. We noted that the concept of private ownership depends on violence and power, not democratic decision making; that those who promoted private property promoted it to gain power, not to promote democracy. We pointed out that the drive for profit as the primary directive of the present money system is a major motivation for militarism, bullying, and the promotion of fear and anger. This contrasts with the values underlying simple money; to value its users and manage their mutual provisioning. The work of Henry George and Elinor Ostrom was shown to support the concepts of simple money. In this final article of the series we discuss a method for moving from our present money system to the use of simple money. Following the edict that we don't concentrate on what is wrong, but on creating something that serves those of us who use it, and exhibits values that are consistent with what we need and want, we create a new system, and let the old one go its own way, as it doesn't serve our use. - Advertisement - Unlike government issued money, simple money requires no legislation for its introduction; it can be introduced by its users. It will initially not be coin of the realm; useful in payment of taxes, but it will be useful to its users, and will demonstrate this usefulness to them, and those they deal with. Acceptance can be gradual, as approval is gained. It can support alternative businesses and institutions in their development and operation. In time, simple money can be acknowledged as official coin in local jurisdictions, and then larger ones. Open source blockchain accounting systems are the natural form for mutual money to be organized with our present technology. However in setting up democratic blockchain platforms, it is important that all the values built into the simple democratic system are implemented. It is important that systems be limited to a community scale, and that users know who each other are, so trust can be informally as well as formally supported. Structures need to be put into place so that users set limits on positive and negative balances, to prevent abuse. Crowd funding can be structurally facilitated, as well as community funding. Instead of 'mining' for money, money would be created as a commitment to other members of the community. Balances will revolve around zero instead of always being positive to maintain the zero sum game. With these provisions, the money supply is automatically regulated. | 0 |
WASHINGTON — Andrew F. Puzder, who as President Trump’s pick to head the Labor Department has come under fire for criticizing worker protections, acknowledged on Monday that he had employed an undocumented immigrant to clean his house. The revelation potentially could derail a nomination that has elicited controversy because of Mr. Puzder’s views on overtime pay, sick leave and automation. The confirmation of Mr. Puzder, a chain executive, has stalled as he tries to divest holdings. “My wife and I employed a housekeeper for a few years, during which I was unaware that she was not legally permitted to work in the U. S.,” Mr. Puzder said in a statement. “When I learned of her status, we immediately ended her employment and offered her assistance in getting legal status. ” Mr. Puzder added that he and his wife had paid back taxes in full to the I. R. S. and the state of California. Confirmation hearings for Mr. Puzder have been delayed as he works to remove himself from his role as the chief executive of CKE Restaurants, whose holdings include the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s chains. Democrats have suggested that his nomination could be on shaky ground, in part, because he has yet to file standard disclosures and questionnaires to the Senate committee that will consider his confirmation. Progressive groups have echoed that sentiment. “It’s long past time for Mr. Puzder to deliver on his commitment to file paperwork with the Senate and let the American people know what issues are causing so many headaches for the Trump administration,” Karl Frisch, executive director of Allied Progress, said on Monday. Mr. Puzder remains “all in” for the confirmation process, a spokesman said on Monday. He is not the first cabinet nominee who has hired undocumented workers. Mr. Trump’s choice to lead the Commerce Department, Wilbur Ross, said last month that he had employed an undocumented household worker for several years. And Representative Mick Mulvaney, Republican of South Carolina and the nominee for White House budget director, said that he failed to pay taxes on a nanny that he and his wife employed after their children were born. They had to pay more than $15, 000 in taxes and penalties to the I. R. S. | 1 |
Broadway’s biggest stars arrived for the 2016 Tony Awards on Sunday night at the Beacon Theater. The red carpet was gusty (“A wind tunnel,” as the “Girls” actor Andrew Rannells described it) but the mood was solemn in the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando, Fla. The most common accessory was a silver ribbon, worn in memory of the victims. | 1 |
ago 0
President Barack Obama has stood behind Hillary Clinton through every step of the FBI investigation into her use of a private email server as his Secretary of State. He has turned a blind eye to her many crimes and has encouraged investigators to let her off the hook.
Just when Americans thought he couldn’t get any more corrupt, video footage has surfaced of Obama calling on illegal immigrants to vote today.
The clip below shows just how far Obama is willing to go to push his own agenda—an agenda that Clinton has promised to protect and push forward.
His comments, like his entire administration, are lawless. This is outrageous.
Do you agree? | 0 |
It’s always a pleasure 🙂 | 0 |
source Add To The Conversation Using Facebook Comments | 0 |
TAMPA, Fla. — In his final planned address on national security as commander in chief, President Obama said on Tuesday that for eight years, his administration protected the nation against major terrorist attacks from abroad while adhering to American values and the rule of law. “No foreign terrorist organization has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland,” Mr. Obama said to loud applause in a large military hangar here. “And it’s not because they didn’t try. Plots have been disrupted. Terrorists have been taken off the battlefield. And we’ve done this even as we’ve drawn down nearly 180, 000 troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. ” The speech was intended as a valedictory answer to years of criticism from conservatives that Mr. Obama’s break with many of President George W. Bush’s policies — ending the torture of terrorism suspects and withdrawing most American ground forces from Afghanistan and Iraq — had left the country vulnerable. And many liberals have complained that Mr. Obama had betrayed his 2008 campaign supporters by acting too much like Mr. Bush in continuing and even expanding some policies, such as targeted killings using drones. Mr. Obama gave the speech at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla. home to the military’s Central Command and Special Operations Command, both of which have been crucial to his fight against terrorism and efforts to wind down the wars fought since Sept. 11, 2001. He stood before a crowd of about 2, 500 men and women mostly in uniform and presented himself as the most president in the country’s history. “On January 20th, I will become the first president of the United States to serve two full terms during a time of war,” he said. He defended an approach to fighting wars that did not bankrupt the Treasury or cause thousands of deaths. He noted, for instance, that he has spent $10 billion over the last two years fighting the Islamic State — the same amount of money President George W. Bush spent in just one month fighting the Iraq War. And he laid out a series of principles: keep the terrorist threat in perspective, avoid military overreach, adhere to the rule of law, use restraint when carrying out strikes to minimize repercussions, be open with the public, use diplomacy and protect civil liberties. While Mr. Obama had been planning the speech for months, Donald J. Trump’s election victory made the address all the more vital for him. The president sought to defend his legacy and provide a road map for a successor with no experience in national security — and warn Mr. Trump away from some of his more controversial positions and advisers. Mr. Trump has, on occasion, advocated the use of torture and questioned the value of NATO and other alliances, although he has since modulated those positions. “First of all, a sustainable counterterrorism strategy depends on keeping the threat in perspective,” Mr. Obama said. The fighters of the Islamic State or Al Qaeda are not the worry some claim they are, he said. “They are thugs and they are murderers and they should be treated that way,” Mr. Obama said. And while defending the use of wartime powers to fight terrorists — something many liberals reject — he also emphasized the importance of sometimes relying on law enforcement powers that the Bush administration explicitly rejected as a response to a threat. For example, Mr. Obama argued that it had proved more effective to prosecute terrorism suspects in civilian courts than military commissions. For a historic comparison, Mr. Obama pointed out that fascism threatened to overrun the globe during World War II, and the Soviet Union threatened a nuclear holocaust during the Cold War. “Today’s terrorists can kill innocent people, but they don’t pose an existential threat to our nation and we cannot make the mistake of elevating them as if they do,” he said, because exaggerating their powers helps bring them enhanced credibility among their followers and potential followers. “These terrorists can never directly destroy our way of life but we can do it for them if we lose track of who we are and the values that this nation was founded on,” he said. Mr. Trump has proposed banning immigration from Muslim countries, and some Republicans have proposed scrutiny of Muslim communities in the United States. Mr. Obama criticized such proposals. Michael T. Flynn, a retired general who is Mr. Trump’s choice for national security adviser, has emphasized the threat represented by Islamic extremism, which he said is spreading. “Protecting liberty? That’s something we do for all Americans, not just some,” Mr. Obama said. And while the Islamic State and Al Qaeda claim to be fighting on behalf of Islam, he said they do not speak for Muslims everywhere, including the United States. “If we act like this is a war between the United States and Islam, we’re not just going to lose more Americans to terrorist attacks, but we’re also going lose the very principles we claim to defend,” he said. Mr. Obama also expressed frustrations with Congress, reiterating his criticism that lawmakers did not act on his request to enact a new and limited war authorization to battle the Islamic State. He also complained that Congress did not lift legal restrictions that prevented him from closing the Guantánamo Bay prison, which he called “a blot on our national honor. ” Mr. Obama’s speech drew criticism from Republicans, including his 2008 presidential campaign opponent, Senator John McCain of Arizona. “President Obama’s speech was nothing more than a feeble attempt to evade the harsh judgment of history,” Mr. McCain said. “But to the American people, our emboldened enemies, and our dispirited allies, his legacy on counterterrorism is unmistakably clear: a disastrous withdrawal from Iraq, the terrorist rampage of ISIL, an indecisive approach to the war in Afghanistan that has empowered the Taliban, and an indifferent approach to the carnage in Syria on which our terrorist enemies have thrived. No rhetorical conceit will alter history’s verdict. ” His speech was interrupted by raucous applause on several occasions, including when he said that one of his core convictions as commander in chief was “that we are and must remain the strongest fighting force the world has ever known. ” Mr. Obama acknowledged that the situation in Afghanistan is not perfect, but that the fight is now almost entirely being waged by Afghan forces, not by Americans. He also acknowledged that there have been a series of domestic terrorist attacks during his presidency that were “carried out by homegrown and largely isolated individuals who were radicalized online. ” But while such attacks — he cited the Boston Marathon bombing and shooting sprees at Fort Hood, Tex. San Bernardino, Calif. and Orlando, Fla. — cause “pain,” he said, they cannot inflict the kind of mass casualties that the attackers managed. Mr. Obama’s choice of MacDill Air Force Base to deliver the speech was symbolic, because much of his antiterrorism strategy, including the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, relied on Special Operations forces. Such troops can be used in small raids in ways that do not attract the opposition and attacks that large bodies of forces would. | 1 |
Ynetnews reports: The Islamist Palestinian group that controls the Gaza Strip on Sunday rejected US President Donald Trump’s linking it to terrorism and said his description of the group showed his “complete bias” towards Israel. [Trump addressed the leaders of 55 Muslim countries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and said they must take the lead in combating radicalization. “The true toll of ISIS, Hezbollah, Hamas, and so many others, must be counted not only in the number of dead. It must also be counted in generations of vanished dreams,” the American president said in his speech. “The statement describing Hamas as a terror group is rejected and is a distortion of our image and shows a complete bias to the Zionist occupation (Israel),” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement. Read more here. | 1 |
PHILADELPHIA — Transit workers here went on strike Tuesday, halting bus, trolley and subway service, and forcing hundreds of thousands of people onto packed commuter trains and roads to get to and from work or school. The strike by about 4, 700 workers of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority shut down transit lines that normally provide nearly a million rides each weekday. As arduous as the morning rush was, the evening commute became even more challenging as pickets blocked employees’ access to their work assignments for Regional Rail service. That service, which extends from the city into the suburbs and was not part of the work stoppage, caused a “significant” number of trains to be canceled or disrupted, said the authority, which urged people who had been counting on the Regional Rail system to find other ways of getting home. Around 6 p. m. Septa said it had secured an injunction allowing train crews and other employees to report to their work assignments without interference from striking workers. “Septa hopes this will ensure that incidents like those that disrupted service today will not happen again,” it said. Thousands of people stood in long lines at Regional Rail stations in Center City, unsure how long they would have to wait to catch trains home. Employees held most commuters on the concourse levels of the stations to prevent dangerous overcrowding on the platforms below. Commuters were packed shoulder to shoulder on the trains that did run, some of them an hour behind schedule or more. The commuter trains accepted transit passes, and express trains made local stops to take on and discharge more passengers. John Agovino, 36, was among a group of commuters corralled into a holding area at Suburban Station around 7:30 p. m. Mr. Agovino, a foreign currency exchange trader, had been waiting 30 minutes for a train on the Line to get home. The wait was better than the “atrocious” queue he had seen after he left work at 4:30 p. m. he said, adding, “That’s why I went to dinner instead. ” A display listed the train as being 99 minutes late. Even without the cancellations, the regional rail service, which normally provides 130, 000 rides a weekday, could absorb only a fraction of the overflow. Members of Transport Workers Union Local 234 had voted to go on strike at 12:01 a. m. when their contract expired, if a new contract settlement was not reached, and negotiations on Monday failed to produce an agreement. The union last walked out in 2009, in a strike lasting six days. “Despite months of constructive and innovative proposals from our side of the table, management has refused to budge on key issues, including safety issues that would save lives and not cost Septa a dime,” said Willie Brown, the local president. He said the two sides remained far apart on pension and health care issues, as well as scheduling and driver fatigue. Andrew Busch, a spokesman for the authority, released a statement saying, “Mr. Brown walked away from a contract offer that would have provided his members pay raises, enhanced pension benefits, maintained health care coverage levels and continued job security, while also remaining fair and affordable for the taxpayers and riders who fund Septa. ” Transit officials said they were hopeful that a tentative agreement would be reached before Election Day, next Tuesday, and urged the union to return to negotiations. If not, the agency said in a statement, it will seek an injunction ordering employees back to work for that day, “to ensure that the strike does not prevent any voters from getting to the polls and exercising their right to vote. ” Mike Locasale, a commuter who usually takes the subway line, took a regional train on Tuesday morning, and said he was half an hour late for work. Rushing through the Art Deco Suburban Station in Center City, he said he planned to start out 30 minutes early on Wednesday and call for an Uber driver “to beat some of the traffic. ” Craig Chaney, 68, usually walks half a block to catch a bus to go to his medical checkups. Instead, “I had to walk about 10 blocks” to get to a Regional Rail station, he said, “which is bad, because I’ve had about three heart operations and I have to see doctors. ” He left himself plenty of time, arriving at Suburban Station two hours early. Brianna stood in weather at the Tulpehocken Regional Rail station of the Chestnut Hill West Line, waiting for a train that was running late. Asked if she would be late for work, she laughed and said, “Probably. ” Mayor Jim Kenney urged “both Septa and the Transport Workers Union to maintain communication despite the work stoppage. ” “Tens of thousands of Philadelphians rely on the buses, trolleys and subways,” Mr. Kenney said, “so it is vital for everyone that this situation be resolved as quickly as possible. ” | 1 |
The United Nations resumed aid convoys to besieged communities in Syria on Thursday for the first time since a deadly attack on trucks loaded with supplies on Monday. But that accomplishment seemed fragile as talks in New York between the United States and Russia failed to produce agreement on how to restore a in Syria, and as the Syrian military announced that it had begun a new offensive in eastern Aleppo and warned residents to stay away from rebel positions. That announcement was made after two days of intensive bombing of eastern Aleppo by the Syrian forces. A aid convoy left Damascus on Thursday with supplies for 40, 000 people in Moadamiya, a suburb of the capital, according to Jan Egeland, a United Nations special adviser for humanitarian affairs. Officials said later that the convoy had arrived in the afternoon, after delays but without incident. “We seem to be getting the permits and support we need,” Mr. Egeland said, while cautioning that the attack on the convoy on Monday, the deadliest in Syria’s civil war, had cast doubt on the safety and reliability of procedures that have provided the basis for aid deliveries to millions of Syrians. The Syrian government prohibited United Nations staff members from accompanying the convoy earlier in the week, Mr. Egeland said. “We were not there,” he told reporters Thursday in Geneva. “As U. N. we were not allowed in. ” The presence of United Nations officials can shield local relief workers in dangerous areas. Monday’s mission by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent had no such cover. “We need a reboot, a restart for security assurances and guarantees for the humanitarian lifeline,” Mr. Egeland said, adding that the United Nations had trucks loaded and ready to leave for other besieged towns, including Madaya, Kfarya, Fouaa and Zabadani, before the end of the week. Hours later, Secretary of State John Kerry said that he had exchanged ideas to restore the with his Russian counterpart, Sergey V. Lavrov. He suggested that the onus was now on Russia to uphold the previous agreement and to respond to Mr. Kerry’s proposals with credible ideas of its own. “If the Russians come back to us with constructive proposals, we will listen,” Mr. Kerry said in a statement he read to reporters. “The key is to restore credibility where there is none. ” Mr. Kerry declined to take questions and did not provide more details. It was not immediately clear what ideas were being discussed or why the Obama administration believes its diplomatic efforts with the Russians might yet succeed after days of frustrating exchanges. Hopes had been raised earlier this week that the International Syria Support Group, the multinational body that has been trying to maintain the would agree to urgent measures to revive it. Chief among the proposals on the table was Mr. Kerry’s call for a ban on military flights in “key areas,” which he put forward on Wednesday before the United Nations Security Council. A senior Foreign Ministry official in Moscow rejected that idea. “This plan is unworkable,” said Sergei A. Ryabkov, the deputy foreign minister, according to the RIA news agency. The United States and other supporters of rebel groups trying to topple Mr. Assad must ensure that they lay down their arms, he added. Mr. Kerry’s proposal would prevent another aid convoy from being struck by banning planes from flying over areas where the assistance is to be delivered, and American officials have cast the proposal as a test of Russia’s intentions. American officials have said intelligence information indicates that it was a Russian aircraft that bombed the convoy headed to the besieged city of Aleppo on Monday. The Russians have denied the allegation and questioned whether an airstrike even occurred. At this stage, Mr. Kerry said in his statement, only “major gestures,” like banning warplanes over areas, would be sufficient to revive the rapidly vanishing hopes that a agreement can be reinstated and endure. A senior Obama administration official told reporters on Thursday evening that the meeting of the International Syria Support Group had been “pretty contentious” and that he was unsure whether an agreement was still possible. While the administration is not closing the door to new ideas from Moscow, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in accordance with diplomatic protocol, any Russian proposals need to include major steps to stop the violence. The death toll in Monday’s attack remains uncertain. In an interview with The Associated Press published on Thursday, President Bashar of Syria denied involvement and sought to shift the blame to opposition groups. “Those convoys were in the area of the militants, the area under the control of the terrorists,” he said. “We don’t have any idea about what happened. ” areas of Aleppo endured heavy airstrikes overnight, including with incendiary weapons, leaving a breakthrough in peace talks looking like a distant prospect. Strikes on Thursday destroyed one of the city’s two water treatment stations, serving both and areas, according to activists and medical workers in Aleppo. The Syrian military’s declaration of its new offensive was reported by websites and by RT, the satellite network financed by the Russian government. As violence reignited, trucks carrying food and medicine for Aleppo remained on the border with Turkey, unable to move from the customs zone where they have been stuck for a week until government forces and armed groups pull back from the road leading into the city, Mr. Egeland said. Mr. Assad, in his interview with The A. P. denied that Aleppo was under siege, but Mr. Egeland told reporters that it was encircled by military forces and that “it’s impossible to get in. ” | 1 |
WASHINGTON — The vast and Koch political network is intensifying efforts behind preferred Republican candidates in the few crucial races that could decide Senate control. For the first time, some political groups under the umbrella of the billionaire conservative donors Charles G. and David H. Koch are embracing direct endorsement of Senate candidates — a marked shift from the more generic, ads and outreach such nonprofit organizations typically employ to steer voters to chosen candidates. The push will be a major test of strength for the Koch network, an effort that has been building over the past decade, born of the brothers’ disenchantment with the performance of the Republican Party. The groups have already spent tens of millions of dollars on Senate campaigns. One group, Concerned Veterans for America, began significant voter contact efforts this week on behalf of two Republicans in tough fights: Senators Patrick J. Toomey of Pennsylvania and Marco Rubio of Florida. Libre, another group funded by the Freedom Partners in hopes of making inroads among Hispanic voters, is explicitly backing Mr. Rubio and Representative Joe Heck, the Republican running against Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat, in the critical Nevada Senate race. “We as an organization are worried about losing those champions in the Senate,” said Dan Caldwell, the vice president for policy at the veterans group, about why it is taking the “extraordinary step” of advocating expressly on behalf of Mr. Toomey and Mr. Rubio. The shift to appeals by organizations in Senate races comes as the groups on Wednesday ended a monthslong, multistate television advertising campaign, which along with other initiatives cost an estimated $42 million. The influx of support from outside groups that do not have to disclose the identity of their donors helps explain why Republicans, who have been on defense this election cycle, still have a good chance of retaining control of the Senate. The new attempt to make direct personal appeals to voters is far less visible than the ads saturating the airwaves in battleground states but potentially more effective at this stage. Officials from the Koch groups see it as the best way to leverage the volunteer networks and advocacy infrastructure the organizations have been creating in three dozen states over the past decade. “This has been a effort in building up this force, and this is where we believe we can have the most impact,” said Mr. Caldwell, who estimated that the new program will cost in the “high six figures. ” The switch in strategy also shows races are close enough that the officially nonpartisan organizations are willing to take heat and scrutiny for acting in a partisan manner if they can influence the outcome of the races. Such activity is legal for the nonprofit groups as long as they make sure it is not the majority of their spending, a fairly easy standard for such groups to meet. Spokespeople say the express advocacy campaigns constitute a small portion of their individual budgets. Still, campaign finance watchdogs say such activity distorts what tax laws intended those “social welfare” groups to do, while allowing their backers to remain anonymous. “The idea that these are social welfare organizations is somewhat odd since they are really political organizations involved in politics,” said Lawrence M. Noble, general counsel of the Campaign Legal Center. Leaders of the organizations say they have based their decisions on the merits and records of the candidates, not on their partisan affiliation. They say backing candidates who share their views is their objective, not keeping control of the Senate. They note that they are not working on behalf of another endangered Republican, Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, because of some disagreements with her policy stances. In Pennsylvania and Florida, Concerned Veterans for America plans to distribute 150, 000 doorknob hangers to the homes of voters shown through research to be susceptible to the appeal. The Pennsylvania literature calls Mr. Toomey “the clear choice for Pennsylvania’s veterans” and lists some of his legislative work on their behalf. The door knocking is to be followed up with phone calls, a direct mail campaign and digital advertising. Mr. Caldwell said the organization’s personnel in Florida include 14 paid staff members and 400 active volunteers, while six staff members and more than 100 volunteers are working in Pennsylvania. Another group, Americans for Prosperity, has a significant presence in those states as well and has been engaged in direct advocacy since last year. Besides Florida and Pennsylvania, the group is now active in Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin. Americans for Prosperity recently sent voters in Indiana, Missouri and Pennsylvania pieces of mail urging them to reject Evan Bayh, Jason Kander and Katie McGinty, the Democratic Senate candidates in those states. “We have found that in instances where there is a real clear policy divide, we can drive a clearer message with our volunteers into the public with express advocacy,” said Levi Russell, a spokesman for Americans for Prosperity. The tactical shift by the Koch network, which has steered clear of the presidential race, came after a recognition by strategists that trying to persuade voters to split their tickets might not be worthwhile. Instead, the groups are now focused on five million voters they believe share the values of conservative Senate candidates but may not be enthusiastic about the presidential choices or the election over all. “We feel like that is where we can have an outsized impact,” said James Davis, a spokesman for Freedom Partners, which funds the Koch network. How pivotal Senate races turn out could reflect whether the groups made the right calculation. | 1 |
Wednesday, 26 October 2016 Hillary Rally
Sleepy Hallow - Hillary Clinton held a rally today to a small crowd of some thirty lathargic onlookers. One of them, a renegade reporter from TheSpoof.com, aka Skoob, rudely yelled out a question, causing Hillary to stumble and nearly fall.
How come you only get thirty people at your rallies and you have to pay hem to come? he asked.
After being helped back up by the Secret Service, Hillary gazed out at the crowd in two directions at the same time and addressed the rude reporter: I look out over this crowd and I don't see thirty people, I see 300 million people, all going to vote for me, because I have a vagina. Yes, I see all the aborted fetuses, death panel victims, war dead, the people Bill and I murdered, and all the people that died because of me. Even Scalia.
I see dead people.
And they're all voting for me. Cause I rule in Hell. Make Aspartame Boy's | 0 |
NATO forces Russia to take retaliatory moves 02.11.2016 Russia is forced to take defensive measures against the backdrop of NATO's increasing activities on Russia's western borders, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu said, speaking at a meeting of the joint board of the military departments of Russia and Belarus, RIA Novosti reports. At the July summit in Warsaw, NATO member countries agreed to build up military forces in Eastern Europe. Four multinational battalions are to be deployed in the Baltic States and Poland in 2017. To crown it all, NATO officials intend to strengthen the presence of the alliance in the Black Sea region. All these actions are being made in response to Russia's alleged threat, NATO officials say. However, Russian officials, including President Putin, have repeatedly stated that Russia would never attack any NATO country. At the same time, they added, Russia would not simply sit and watch NATO increasing its military presence near Russia's borders. Print version Font Size "On western borders of the Unified State (Russia and Belarus - ed.), the United States and other NATO members have been building up their offensive potential by opening new bases and developing military infrastructure. There are continued attempts to impose the will of NATO members on other countries by economic and political dictatorship, as well as by military force. The information warfare is being conducted openly," Shoygu said.These actions, the Defense Minister said, undermine the strategic stability and force Russia to take retaliatory measures. The high level of cooperation with Belarus makes it possible to successfully address issues of strengthening the defense capacity of the Unified State, he added. "This approach is especially relevant now, when international mechanisms designed to resolve critical situations are stalled, and hotspots of tensions have neared our borders," Defense Minister Shoygu said. Also read: Russia prepares nuclear surprise for NATO According to him, the military cooperation between Russia and Belarus has been developing actively. In September of 2017, Russia and Belarus are to conduct strategic military exercises "Zapad-2017" that will become a "major joint training event for our armed forces in 2017," said Shoygu.In addition, the Defense Minister said that Russia and Belarus pay great attention to the implementation of the agreement on the joint protection of borders and the creation of the joint regional air defense system. In 2016, Russian companies have completed capital repairs of the S-300PS anti-aircraft missile systems that Belarus received from Russia at no cost. "These measures "will help to exclude violations of airspace of the Unified State," concluded Shoygu. | 0 |
Posted on November 1, 2016 by DCG | 1 Comment
A good DRT* ending.
From Fox News : A Pizza Hut employee shot and killed a man during an attempted armed robbery after hours at the store early Sunday morning in west Charlotte, N.C., according to Charlotte Mecklenburg Police.
Officers were called about 1:38 a.m. to the Pizza Hut to a report of shooting and arrived to find Michael Renard Grace with a gunshot wound.
Grace was pronounced dead on scene.
According to police , three people entered the restaurant and were in the process of robbing the business when one of the employees fired his own personal handgun at one of the suspects .
Investigators said a handgun was recovered at the scene that was being carried by the robbery suspect at the time he was shot.
The other two robbery suspects fled the scene on foot and have not yet been apprehended.
*Dead Right There | 0 |
Good morning. (Want to get California Today by email? Sign up.) Last week we announced an inaugural “Californian of the Year” contest, and asked readers to write in with nominations. Emails poured into our inbox, with names of politicians, environmentalists, homeless advocates and sports figures, among others. A number of entries were personal in nature. Some workers suggested their bosses (lucky you). One man nominated his father, who died this year. To create a roster of finalists, we included people who were mentioned more than a handful of times, then added some wild cards for good measure. They are, in alphabetical order: • Andy Bales. The C. E. O. of Union Rescue Mission has dedicated his life to helping the homeless in Los Angeles. • Marc Benioff. The Salesforce C. E. O. has made philanthropy a central part of the company’s mission. • Barbara Boxer. The Democratic senator is retiring after 34 years of representing California in Congress. • Jerry Brown. California’s governor has pushed ambitious agendas. • Nicole Capretz. The Climate Action Campaign founder is a force in environmental advocacy in San Diego. • Betty Chinn. Known as the Chinese Mother Teresa, she has been a lifeline to Eureka’s homeless. • Kamala Harris. California’s new senator is seen as having a bright future on the national and state stages. • Colin Kaepernick. The 49ers quarterback’s national anthem protest polarized fans and incited debate. • Elon Musk. The serial entrepreneur seems to embody the creative daring of Silicon Valley. • Vin Scully (see below). As for me, I’m going with Mr. Scully, the gentlemanly broadcaster who retired in October after 67 years as the voice of Dodgers baseball. As the Los Angeles Times sportswriter Bill Plaschke put it, Mr. Scully “is the soundtrack of our lives, the dignified and graceful accompaniment of endless sandy summers, a daily harmonic reminder of the Southern California dream. ” After the results are in, we’ll reveal a winner by the end of the year. • The cost of the 405 highway project in Los Angeles has now reached $1. 6 billion. Was it worth it? [The New York Times] • California’s largest pension fund moved to lower its investment forecast. That means higher contributions from taxpayers are coming. [Sacramento Bee] • California’s Supreme Court halted a measure that would have sped up death penalty appeals. [The Associated Press] • Lawyers for Derick Ion Almena said the Ghost Ship warehouse leader “should not be made a scapegoat” for Oakland’s deadly Dec. 2 fire. [East Bay Times] • The body of a former reality television contestant who went missing was found at a Los Angeles area home. An arrest was made. [Los Angeles Times] • A Los Angeles deputy police chief was chosen to head the San Francisco Police Department. Watchdogs welcomed an outsider. [San Francisco Chronicle] • In the race to develop cars, Michigan is suddenly aiming to give Silicon Valley a run for its money. [The New York Times] • Twitter is losing another executive. This time, the chief technology officer is departing. [The New York Times] • The Bay Area has 38 of the country’s 100 most expensive ZIP codes, a survey found. [KQED] • DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings was fined $50, 000 for his behavior toward reporters. “My actions were inexcusable,” he said. [Sacramento Bee] • A producer of the blockbuster epic “The Great Wall” rejected accusations that casting Matt Damon was “whitewashing. ” [The New York Times] • A tour of six ultracreative restaurants in Los Angeles strip malls. [The New York Times] • A libations columnist offered a list of the best 25 California wines that he tasted this year. [Orange County Register] Does the Bay Area have a superiority complex? James Hetfield seems to think so. During a recent interview on the comedian Joe Rogan’s podcast, the Metallica frontman said the region’s “elitist attitude” played a part in his family’s decision to leave their longtime home in Marin County and move to Vail, Colo. “I kind of got sick of the Bay Area, the attitudes of people there,” he said. Mr. Hetfield, 53, cited his love of hunting as one point of friction. “They talk about how diverse they are and things like that,” he told Mr. Rogan. “And it’s fine if you’re diverse like them. But showing up with a deer on the bumper doesn’t fly in Marin County. ” San Francisco has topped a number of rankings of cities for “snobbery,” as have several other Bay Area locations. The reputation was even parodied (in gross fashion) during a 2006 episode of “South Park” titled “Smug Alert!” Mr. Hetfield had other conflicts in Marin County. He once angered fellow residents by erecting a fence on his property near San Rafael that blocked a popular trail. In his conversation with Mr. Rogan, he said he fit in better in Colorado, where his wife, Francesca, grew up. “In Colorado everyone is very natural,” he said. Writing in SFist in 2013, the San Francisco journalist Rose Garrett acknowledged that the city’s residents are at times guilty of an air of superiority. She added: “But that’s only because we’ve got a good thing going, and we know it. ” California Today goes live at 6 a. m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes. com. The California Today columnist, Mike McPhate, is a Californian — born outside Sacramento and raised in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in Davis. Follow him on Twitter. California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and attended U. C. Berkeley. | 1 |
The National Football League (NFL) in the United States has issued a warning to players , asking them to avoid eating beef because of the high levels of Clenbuterol . These high levels have been said to cause players to fail drug tests. Clenbuterol is a muscle-building and weight-loss stimulant. It is a substance banned by the league, and considered a performance enhancing drug. However, recently, many players in the NFL have failed drug tests linked to Clenbuterol. If a player fails this drug test then he is banned for 10 matches.
The majority of beef consumed in the United States is imported from China and Mexico. The NFL said beef from China and Mexico is particularly dangerous to the players.
Clenbuterol has the ability to build muscle, which is why farmers use it, increasing the size of their cattle to increase profits. In Mexico, cattle ranchers are banned from using Clenbuterol as a growth enhancer. However, it is said farmers are not complying with the regulation, leading to widespread abuse of the substance within the nation’s cattle industry.
The Free Thought Project reports that the NFL’s independent drug-testing administrator has officially sent a memo to all players in the league, telling them that consuming large quantities of beef while visiting China and Mexico may result in a positive Clenbuterol test. The memo further stated that if players refused to heed the warning and do otherwise, they do so at their own risk.
“Players are warned to be aware of this issue when traveling to Mexico and China. Please take caution if you decide to consume meat, and understand that you do so at your own risk. Players are responsible for what is in their bodies,” the memo said.
In 2015, the Texan’s left tackle, Duane Brown, tested positive for Clenbuterol after a trip to Mexico, during which he ate Mexican beef, sources told ESPN . After a months-long process, Brown was finally cleared in April this year, permitting him to avoid what would have been a 10-match ban.
When the memo was issued, several players in the NFL, including the Arizona Cardinals defensive back, Patrick Peterson, took to Twitter to express his disappointment in the issue.
This can’t be real life! #SMH #GottaGoVeganOnVacation 🤕 pic.twitter.com/HmWNpi4cAj | 0 |
Страна: Южная Корея Хотя главной новостью внутренней политики Южной Кореи является очередной римейк слуха о том, что Пан Ги Мун все таки решился принять участие в президентской гонке, обратим внимание на иные детали. Начнем с итогов выборов лидера правящей партии Сэнури. Ли Чжон Хён, бывший пресс-секретарь Пак Кын Хе, известен двумя вещами. Во-первых, он относится к фракции, поддерживающей нынешнего президента, что говорит о некотором упрочении ее позиций внутри партии. Ли на 12 тысяч голосов опередил своего основного соперника Чу Хо Ёна, противника президента Пак Кын Хе, и будет руководить партией два последующих года, в ходе которых предстоит определить кандидатов для участия в президентских выборах. Во-вторых, впервые главой Сэнури становится представитель провинции Чолла – традиционной базы левой оппозиции. Для правящей партии это хороший ход – выйти за рамки традиционного для РК регионализма; так же в свое время сделал Ким Дэ Чжун, назначив своим преемником Но Му Хена, представлявшего в целом выступающую на стороне консерваторов провинцию Кёнсан. Немудрено, что в своей речи Ли заявил, что правящая Сэнури декларирует отсутствие в своих рядах разделения на сторонников и противников президента Пак Кын Хе, а также пораженческих настроений и регионализма; партия, работая как единое целое в интересах народа, вернёт доверие граждан страны и одержит победу на предстоящих президентских выборах, которые состоятся в следующем году. Тем не менее противники президента из консервативного лагеря уже заговорили о том, что так партия потеряет независимость и дело может дойти до раскола, в котором иные фракции могут попытаться отделиться, а потому задача нового лидера не проводить свою линию, а беречь единство. Новый лидер Сэнури немедленно включился в политическую борьбу, связанную с ситуацией вокруг отстранения от своего поста министра продовольствия, сельского, лесного хозяйства Ким Чжэ Су. Это было сделано в ходе парламентской проверки учреждений, и, по мнению консерваторов, оппозиция просто воспользовалась своим преимуществом по количеству мандатов, сделав это при поддержке спикера Национального собрания Чон Сэ Гюна. Внезапное отстранение от должности члена кабинета министров происходит только в случае серьёзных проблем, и Ли Чжон Хён даже объявил голодовку, требуя отставки Чона. Формально случившееся 24 сентября 2016 г. голосование прошло как должно: решение о снятии с должности членов кабинета министров, представленное на рассмотрение на пленарном заседании Национального собрания, принимается на основе мнения большинства присутствующих депутатов – минимум 151 голос. За отставку Ким Чжэ Су проголосовали 160 депутатов, против 7, однако 122 депутата от правящей партии Сэнури не приняли участия в голосовании, так как спикер Чон Сэ Гюн провел заседание после 12 часов ночи, не согласовав это решение с депутатами от правящей Сэнури. Консерваторы заявляют, что изменение расписания должно проводиться на основе соглашения оппозиционных и правящих сил, Чон Сэ Гюн в свою очередь заявляет, что правил не нарушал, поскольку в них прописана возможность решения спикером таких вопросов и без договоренности между политическими силами. А лидер парламентской фракции от оппозиционной Демократической партии Тобуро У Сан Хо потребовал от Ли прекратить голодовку и вернуться к диалогу. Да, парламент снял министра, но Пак Кын Хе отказалась принимать предложение о его увольнении, и вообще-то ситуация должна больше возмущать оппозицию, нежели правящие силы. Что же до Пан Ги Муна, то экс-генсек вернется в РК во второй декаде января следующего года, после чего намерен подумать над тем, что он может сделать для своей страны. Об этом Пан Ги Мун заявил 21 октября в интервью агентству Reuters. По его словам, многие граждане РК хотят, чтобы он активно использовал свой богатый опыт, накопленный за время пребывания на посту генерального секретаря ООН. Подобные надежды выказывают и консерваторы, для которых его кандидатура означает «региональное единение сил правящей партии». Другая деталь – новая волна стачек. 27 сентября южнокорейские железнодорожники и сотрудники метрополитенов Сеула и Пусана объявили забастовку, выступая против введения новой системы оплаты труда, а также излишне жестких требований к профессиональным характеристикам и качеству работы сотрудников. Хотя курсирование скоростных поездов KTX, метро и другого железнодорожного пассажирского транспорта осуществляется в относительно штатном режиме (интенсивность движения поездов метро в дневное время снижена до 80-85% от штатного расписания), грузовой транспорт будет работать только на 30% от обычных объемов. К забастовке присоединились Национальная корпорация медицинского страхования и Государственная пенсионная корпорация. На данный момент забастовка продолжается более 20 дней, и в ней принимают участие 7387 рабочих – 40,2% от численности членов профсоюзов. Объявил забастовку впервые с 2004 года и профсоюз компании Hyundai Motor, отвергнув достигнутый ранее компромисс с руководством о незначительном повышении заработной платы. Это не первый звонок – в июле частичные забастовки составили в общей сложности 19 дней и привели к убыткам на общую сумму 2,02 млрд долларов и 101400 невыпущенных автомобилей, после чего представители профсоюза и администрации провели 26 раундов переговоров и 24 августа достигли компромисса. Администрация обещала повысить ежемесячную зарплату на 58 тыс. вон (53 доллара), увеличить бонусные выплаты и произвести единовременную выплату каждому рабочему в размере 3,3 млн вон (3 тыс. долларов). Кроме того, на неопределённый срок отложен ввод в действие системы поэтапного уменьшения заработной платы до достижения пенсионного возраста. Однако 78% членов профсоюза выразили недовольство достигнутыми договорённостями и потребовали начать забастовку, которая затронет уже все предприятия данной отрасли. Довершает ситуацию и скандал со смертью фермера Пэк Нам Ги, который в конце прошлого года во время демонстрации попал в струю водомета, был сбит с ног и потерял сознание, впоследствии впав в кому. 25 сентября он скончался, так и не придя в себя, после чего общественные организации подали иск против начальника Главного полицейского управления и ещё шести должностных лиц, обвиняя их в непреднамеренном убийстве в результате халатности. От главы Управления полиции потребовали возмещения ущерба в размере 217 тыс. долларов. Полиция, однако, указывает на недостаток подтверждений того, что слишком сильный напор воды напрямую повлиял на состояние пострадавшего и мог стать причиной смерти. Как бы то ни было, по данным агентства Gallup Korea, опубликованным 14 октября, уровень поддержки президента РК Пак Кын Хе упал до минимальной отметки. Главу государства поддерживают 26% жителей страны – самый низкий показатель с февраля 2013 года. 59% респондентов считают, что президент Пак Кын Хе недостаточно хорошо выполняет свои обязанности. Среди причин отрицательной оценки 15% указали на недостаток диалога, 14% на неэффективность экономической политики, 7% на односторонность политики. Что касается политических партий, то работу правящей Сэнури положительно оценили 64% респондентов. Однако уровень поддержки Демократической партии Тобуро составил 90%, а Народной партии – 81%. Начинаются и традиционные для предвыборной гонки коррупционные скандалы, задевающие руководство страны, но о том, как идет очередной раунд борьбы с этим социальным злом – в следующих текстах. Константин Асмолов, кандидат исторических наук, ведущий научный сотрудник Центра корейских исследований Института Дальнего Востока РАН, специально для интернет-журнала «Новое Восточное Обозрение». Популярные статьи | 0 |
Chart Of The Day: Commercial Real Estate At All-Time Peak, Up 107% Since 2009
The Green Street Commercial Property Price Index has soared 107% from the trough in May 2009 and now exceeds the peak of the totally crazy bubble in 2007 by 26%:
http://wolfstreet.com/2016/11/16/wholl-get-hit-by-fallout-from-the-11-trillion-commercial-property-bubble-in-the-us/
David | 0 |
LONDON — In November 1967, four years after her husband’s assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy traveled to the temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia on a trip with David Ormsby Gore, a friend of her husband and himself a recent widower. There was much speculation of a romantic attachment. A few months later, Mr. Ormsby Gore, a former British ambassador to Washington, proposed marriage. She turned him down. In a handwritten letter, filled with anguish and a touch of cruelty, she explained her decision to marry Aristotle Onassis instead. “If ever I can find some healing and some comfort — it has to be with somebody who is not part of all my world of past and pain,” she wrote. “I can find that now — if the world will let us. ” The letter was part of a set of papers found in locked cases discovered only last month in Wales at the family home of Mr. Ormsby Gore, who died in 1985. They are being auctioned in London next month by his grandson to help restore the house. The letters point to the depth of feeling behind the public mask of one of the most celebrated women of her time. Among them is the letter to Mr. Ormsby Gore, also known as Lord Harlech, dated Nov. 13, 1968, a month after her marriage to Mr. Onassis and five months after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. In it, Mrs. Kennedy spoke of the love and bond she felt for Mr. Ormsby Gore, whose wife had died in a car crash in May 1967. “We have known so much shared lost so much together — Even if it isn’t the way you wish now — I hope that bond of love and pain will never be cut. ” Writing from Mr. Onassis’ yacht in Greece, on stationery with the ship’s crest, a clear if cold message, Mrs. Kennedy told Mr. Ormsby Gore: “You are like my beloved beloved brother — and mentor — and the only original spirit I know — as you were to Jack. ” Mr. Ormsby Gore had expressed incredulity at her choice of Mr. Onassis, and she tried to respond. “Please know — you of all people must know it — that we can never really see into the heart of another,” she wrote. “You know me. And you must know that the man you write of in your letter is not a man that I could marry. ” Mr. Onassis, she wrote, is “lonely and wants to protect me from being lonely. And he is wise and kind. Only I can decide if he can, and I decided. “I know it comes as a surprise to so many people,” she continued. “But they see things for me that I never wanted for myself. ” Mr. Ormsby Gore was an old friend of John F. Kennedy, whose younger sister Kathleen, or Kick, married Mr. Ormsby Gore’s first cousin. After the election of the young president in 1960, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan sent Mr. Ormsby Gore to Washington as Britain’s ambassador. The two men, a year apart in age, were extremely close, and President Kennedy consulted with him on every key issue of foreign policy, especially during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, and in discussions of Vietnam and nuclear disarmament. Robert Kennedy said that Mr. Ormsby Gore was “almost a part of the government,” adding that the president “would rather have his judgment than that of anybody else. ” Among the letters is one in which President Kennedy praised the ambassador: “I appreciate as you know, in all these critical matters your judgment — which I have found to be uniformly good and true. ” Mr. Ormsby Gore inherited the noble title, Lord Harlech, when his father died in 1964. His grandson Jasset, who inherited the title a year ago, is the one selling the papers, along with other possessions, at Bonhams, London, in an auction scheduled for March 29. Some of the letters will be on view on March 2 in New York at the Bonhams showroom, at 580 Madison Avenue. In total, there are 18 handwritten letters and one typed letter from Mrs. Kennedy to Mr. Ormsby Gore, as well as other papers. Those include a pass admitting him to the White House on Nov. 23, 1963, one day after the assassination a jocular 1963 letter from Robert Kennedy, signed “Bobby” and instructions for pallbearers for Robert Kennedy’s funeral. The papers also include a letter Mrs. Kennedy wrote to Mr. Ormsby Gore after the death of his wife, Sylvia, known as Sissie, which seemed to foreshadow his desire to marry her. “Your last letter was such a cri de coeur of loneliness — I would do anything to take that anguish from you,” she wrote. “You want to patch the wounds match the loose pairs — but you can’t because your life won’t turn out that way. ” One of the most moving documents is a draft letter Mr. Ormsby Gore wrote to Mrs. Kennedy after she turned down his proposal. “All the pathetic plans I had brought with me for visits to Cyrenaica, holidays near one another and a whole variety of solutions to our marriage problem, including one for a secret marriage this summer — plans which I saw us eagerly discussing, calmly and with complete frankness as we did at the Cape and in Cambodia for the next wonderful ten days — all had become irrelevant trash to be thrown away within a few hours of my landing in New York,” he wrote. “As for your photograph I weep when I look at it. Why do such agonizing things have to happen? Where was the need for it?” The Kennedys and the Ormsby Gores socialized frequently, even stirring resentment among other diplomats and members of the administration. There were small dinners at the White House and shared vacations. One “incoherent letter as written on Martini” from Mrs. Kennedy, in the spring of 1962, discusses their coming vacation at the America’s Cup races. Others mention her love of dance. Matthew Haley, the head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams, said that “you just don’t get this quantity of insight into Jackie’s personal life and that level of intimacy. ” Mr. Ormsby Gore was her husband’s great friend, but “the fact that they developed such an intimate friendship in such a short space of time is important,” he said, even if built on shared sadness. Contacted about the letters on Friday, a representative of the Kennedy family said that they had decided not to comment. Barbara Leaming, who has written biographies of President and Mrs. Kennedy, said that Mr. Ormsby Gore was “the pivotal relationship Jack had in the presidency,” a man he trusted almost as much as Robert Kennedy. “Jackie loved in Jack the man he wanted to be, and David was the man helping him, in her eyes, to be the man Jack wanted to be,” she said. The distress that followed Robert Kennedy’s assassination in June 1968 was one reason she turned to the security of Mr. Onassis, Ms. Leaming said. “It was the second great trauma for her,” Ms. Leaming said. “She was very clear it was not a marriage of love, as she said to Joe Alsop in a letter. She was seeking safety. ” As for Mr. Ormsby Gore, “of course he fell in love with her — she understood him so well,” Ms. Leaming said. “But I have no idea if it was consummated or not. ” Mr. Ormsby Gore did marry again, in December 1969, to Pamela Colin, an American who bore more than a passing resemblance to Mrs. Onassis. He died in 1985, at 66, after a car crash. Mrs. Onassis attended his funeral. | 1 |
TEHRAN — President Hassan Rouhani of Iran is racing to sign as many oil deals with Western companies as he can before at home and Donald J. Trump have a chance to return the Mideast country to cultural and economic isolation. At the same time, Iran is in a battle with Saudi Arabia and other OPEC producers to reclaim its position as one of the world’s leading oil exporters, a spot it lost during the years of international sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran’s oil industry, the lifeblood of its economy, was devastated by the cumulative impact of the nuclear sanctions, which halved petroleum exports and left the country ostracized economically. The international nuclear agreement that lifted those sanctions nearly a year ago, one of the Obama administration’s signature foreign policy initiatives, has enabled Iran to partly recover. But Mr. Trump has warned that he may dismantle the deal, a threat that has injected new urgency into Iran’s push to build up its oil industry before Mr. Trump takes power next month. A provisional agreement this week with Royal Dutch Shell to develop two of the country’s largest oil fields is the latest sign of interest in Iran from international energy companies. Over the last four weeks, Tehran has negotiated similar agreements with the oil field services giant Schlumberger and companies from China, Norway, Thailand and Poland. The deals, if completed, would bring expertise and foreign investment. Just as important, though, the agreements could provide a lifeline to the rest of the world, experts say, cementing relations with a number of European and Asian countries. That, they say, could provide an insurance policy of sorts against any punitive actions taken next year by the Trump administration and the Congress. Few Iranian officials like to acknowledge their country’s vulnerability, insisting it is immune to outside pressures. But the election of Mr. Trump and his selection of a national security team that views Iran as a major threat in the Middle East seems at the least certain to usher in a new period of tensions, and could ultimately threaten Iran’s efforts to rejoin the global economy. “Our officials are in a rush to sign contracts with big oil companies in order to have leverage when Trump enters the White House,” said Saeed Laylaz, an economist with close ties to the government of Mr. Rouhani. The Iranian president came to power promising to end Iran’s isolation and revive its economy, so the advent of a Trump presidency poses a dire threat to his political future. Mr. Laylaz pointed out that most European energy giants had been present in Iran for decades and had left only after sanctions, now lifted, were imposed during the Obama administration. “Just as in the past, we need them back here, also to make sure we are not isolated,” he said of the Europeans. Analysts noted that the deals were only memorandums of understanding, not hard contracts. But they stressed that the agreements also indicated a strong desire by Western and Asian energy companies to send a message to Washington as they return to Iran, once the world’s exporter of oil. “It seems the big oil and gas companies in Europe are determined to show Mr. Trump that they are going to make deals with Iran anyway,” said Reza Zandi, an Iranian journalist and analyst who specializes in the oil and gas industries. “These are important signals to America,” he added. Mr. Zandi said it was not hard to see why the oil companies were so eager to return to Iran. “We need $40 billion in investment in the oil and gas sector each year,” he said, “and we don’t have such resources inside the country. ” Mr. Rouhani and his government of technocrats are fighting their oil battle on two fronts. Domestically, they face pressure from who have been closely scrutinizing the oil contracts, seeking anything that could undermine Iran’s independence and trying to steer them to companies under their control. But Iran’s oil minister, Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, told the semiofficial news agency Fars in November that only foreign companies had the ability and capital to modernize Iran’s crumbling oil and gas sector. “We need technology, including the management technology that allows a project to come into operation in four years rather than in 12 years,” he said. “And above all, we need the money. ” Iran also faces a struggle to rebuild its oil exports. Growing production has allowed Iran in recent months to recover many of the Asian and European markets that it lost to Saudi Arabia and other OPEC producers during the years when sanctions were in effect. And as Iran effectively flexes its muscles in OPEC for the first time since the sanctions were lifted in January, its goal is not only to protect its newfound gains but also to expand its markets, pitting it directly against its bitter sectarian rival, Saudi Arabia. Further production and export expansion, however, will require more foreign investment. The new wave of agreements with Iran, most of which remain provisional, began on Nov. 8, the day of Mr. Trump’s victory, when Total, a French company, became the first Western energy company to negotiate a deal to develop and produce natural gas from a section of a giant Persian Gulf gas field. Total leads a consortium that includes the China National Petroleum Corporation and Petropars, a subsidiary of the Iranian oil company, in the $4. 8 billion project. The provisional agreement is expected to be completed early next year. “They are signing before Trump does something,” said Dragan Vuckovic, president of Mediterranean International, a oil services company that works in North Africa and the Middle East. “The Iranians will give the Europeans favorable terms because of Trump. They want to send a message to Trump that if you try to cancel this agreement, we will just go to the Europeans. ” Iran needs foreign capital and technical expertise to reach its immediate goal of returning to its 2011 oil production level of 4. 3 million barrels a day, reversing a drop that began even before sanctions were imposed. Many Iranian fields are old and in decline, requiring sophisticated and expensive redrilling of wells and injections of water and carbon dioxide to coax more oil from the ground. Since oil export sanctions were lifted, Iran’s production has risen almost a third, to about 3. 7 million barrels a day, with minimal foreign help. By reaching agreements with Total and Shell, Tehran now has the ambitious goal of reaching production levels of 4. 8 million barrels a day by 2021, which would give it added clout in OPEC and the ability to go with Saudi Arabia in competing for growing Asian markets, particularly in India. In past decades, Iran has been aggressive in urging other OPEC members to use their position to manipulate the market for higher prices, while Saudi Arabia has often argued for caution. Saudi Arabia has held the upper hand in recent years, but Iran was a major player at the latest OPEC meeting, as the cartel decided to cut production for the first time in eight years. Iran wants to ramp up production at the very moment that Saudi Arabia wants to cut output to lift prices. Using its recovered production leverage, Iran agreed to go along with the decision to collectively cut 1. 2 million barrels a day of production only when the other members conceded to its demands that it be allowed to increase production by about 90, 000 barrels a day next year. It remains to be seen whether the agreement to scale back production, not slated to take effect until January, will hold up. Similar agreements among OPEC members in the past have crumbled in the face of widespread cheating and a lack of an enforcement mechanism. The agreement is also contingent on cooperation from a handful of producers, particularly Russia, which is notoriously unreliable in such matters, said Philip K. Verleger Jr. an energy economist who served in the Ford and Carter administrations. “There is no one who will concede market share, and so there is no way to come to an enforceable agreement,” Mr. Verleger said. But just the fact that Iran was able to play a leading role at the OPEC meeting is a sign that its leaders are determined to return to world markets — as long as they are not stymied once again by geopolitical developments. | 1 |
DENVER — Inside a senior center here, nestled along a bustling commercial strip, Vivian Malveaux scans her bingo card for a winning number. Her eyes are warm, lively and occasionally set adrift by the dementia plundering her mind. Dozens of elderly men and women — some in wheelchairs, others whose hands tremble involuntarily — gather excitedly around the game tables. After bingo, there is more entertainment and activities: Yahtzee, beading. But this is no community center reeking of bleach. Instead, it’s one of eight vanguard centers owned by InnovAge, a company based in Denver with ambitious plans. With the support of private equity money, InnovAge aims to aggressively expand a Medicare program that will pay to keep older and disabled Americans out of nursing homes. Until recently, only nonprofits were allowed to run programs like these. But a year ago, the government flipped the switch, opening the program to companies as well, ending one of the last remaining holdouts to commercialism in health care. The hope is that the profit motive will expand the services faster. Hanging over all the promise, though, is the question of whether companies are to this line of work, long the province of nonprofit . Critics point out that the business of caring for poor and frail people is marred with abuse. Already, new ideas for lowering the cost of the program have started circulating. In Silicon Valley, for example, some eager entrepreneurs are pushing plans that call for a higher reliance on video calls instead of doctor visits. The business appeal is simple: A baby surge in government health care spending is coming. Medicare enrollment is expected to grow by 30 million people in the next two decades, and many of those people are potential future clients. Adding to the allure are hefty profit margins for programs like these — as high as 15 percent, compared with an average of 2 percent among nursing homes — and geographic monopolies that are all but guaranteed by state Medicaid agencies to ensure the solvency of providers. The goal of the program, known as PACE, or the Program of Care for the Elderly, is to help frail, older Americans live longer and more happily in their own homes, by providing comprehensive medical care and intensive social support. It also promises to save Medicare and Medicaid millions of dollars by keeping those people out of nursing homes. For decades, though, the program has failed to catch on, with only 40, 000 people enrolled as of January of this year. “PACE is still a secret in the minds of the public,” Andy Slavitt, Medicare’s acting administrator, said at the National PACE Association meeting in April. The challenge, he said, was to make PACE “a clear part of the solution. ” Several private equity firms, venture capitalists and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs have jumped into the niche. Capital Partners, a former Fidelity Biosciences group, provided seed funding for a as have angel investors like Amir Dan Rubin, the former Stanford Health Care president, and Michael Zubkoff, a Dartmouth health care economist. And no company has moved with more tenacity than InnovAge. Last year, the company overcame protests from watchdog groups to convert from a nonprofit organization to a business in Colorado. And in May, InnovAge received $196 million in backing — the largest investment in a PACE business since the rule change was made — from Welsh, Carson, Anderson Stowe, a private equity firm with $10 billion in assets under management. “For years we were pariahs, and no one wanted anything to do with us,” said Julie Reiskin, executive director of the Colorado Coalition, a nonprofit group that advocates for people with disabilities, many of whom are eligible for PACE. “Now that there’s money involved,” Ms. Reiskin said, “everyone is all interested. ” Even the program’s supporters acknowledge that the movement needs fresh momentum. But they worry that commercial operators will tarnish their image in the same way many eroded trust in hospice care and nursing homes. Three decades ago, after Congress authorized Medicare to pay for hospice care, commercial operators displaced the religious and community groups that had championed the movement. As recently as 2014, government inspectors found that hospice companies patients and stinted on care. In addition, elderly patients with dementia and chronic ailments have frequently been targets of abuse and neglect at nursing homes, something advocates for the elderly say is correlated with the increased commercialization of that industry. “I’m not wild about every knucklehead running around trying to do PACE,” said Thomas Scully, former Medicare administrator under President George W. Bush. “I would rather keep it below the radar. ” Early last year, Ms. Malveaux was drowning. She lived alone in a tidy home in a leafy Denver neighborhood that she paid for by working shifts at a Samsonite luggage factory, now closed. Laundry piled up. Bills went unpaid. Doors were left unlocked. Pans sometimes burned on the stove as her memory failed. “I had lost my mind,” she recalled, sitting on her couch in a pink velour robe. “I couldn’t keep up my house. ” For Americans who find themselves in this situation, the next stop is often a traditional nursing home. Ms. Malveaux’s son took her instead to visit an InnovAge day center. The $9 million building south of downtown Denver is designed to calm people with dementia. It has subdued lighting and winding hallways that encircle the first floor like a running track and discourage “ behaviors,” where patients search for ways out of a building. For the frightened Ms. Malveaux, it seemed like paradise: a flower garden, a beauty salon and day trips to casinos and candy factories. And, most importantly, it had a team of doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, dentists, physical therapists, nutritionists, home health aides and social workers whose purpose was to help her live safely in her beloved brick home. After joining the center last June 2015, Ms. Malveaux began seeing a psychiatrist and went on medication for depression. A social worker coached her grandson, Jermaine Malveaux, on how to care for someone with dementia. Three days a week, an InnovAge van picks up Ms. Malveaux at home and takes her to the center to share lunch with other older adults and try her luck at bingo and ceramics. “I make friends easily,” she said with a smile. “And the guys flirt with me. ” The InnovAge center, like other PACE facilities, is inspired by Britain’s Day Hospitals, outpatient health care facilities that arose in the 1950s that became a hub of daily life for many older people. In the United States, the earliest incarnation of PACE was started in San Francisco in 1971 by a group of Asian and Italian immigrant families seeking alternatives to the American nursing home. Federal health officials allowed the group, called On Lok — Cantonese for “peaceful, happy abode” — to test what was then a novel and prophetic approach to health care financing. Instead of physicians billing Medicare each time they treated a patient, the government would pay a fixed amount to the center for each member. On Lok would assume the financial risk, similar to an insurance company. In 1990, Medicare officially sanctioned the model. In exchange for a capped monthly payment from Medicare and Medicaid, PACE staff members arrange and pay for all of a patient’s doctors’ visits, medications, rehabilitation and hospitalizations. At the same time, they are supposed to pay attention to the patient’s daily needs — meals, bathing, housekeeping and transportation to day centers, where older people can ward off isolation and cognitive decline by socializing. (Studies have found that the intensive caretaking reduces costly hospital stays.) Comparing the cost effectiveness of PACE against nursing homes is difficult, partly because state Medicaid agencies pay a variety of rates. But all the states are required to keep their rates below what they would pay for nursing home care. In Colorado, for example, that amounts to 7 percent less per patient. On average, Medicare and Medicaid pay PACE providers $76, 728 a person a year, about $5, 500 less than the average cost of a nursing home. And the money going to PACE covers all of the person’s health and social needs, unlike nursing home care, which doesn’t include hospitalizations and other expensive medical care. The flat government payment pushes the organizations to invest in maintaining a patient’s health and safety to avoid big hospital bills. Dentistry — excluded from traditional Medicare coverage — is a crucial focus: Programs invest heavily to fix broken teeth and dentures to avoid costly infections or poor nutrition that can cause cascading health problems. Providers are also generous with rehabilitation, setting few limits on training sessions that strengthen injured muscles and sturdy patients against falls. “If you’re neglecting these patients, the odds they’ll call an ambulance and go to the hospital and spend a week there because they’re really sick is pretty high, and that all comes out of the payment,” said Bob Kocher, a former senior health care adviser to President Obama. Profits are in no way guaranteed, though. The centers still face major financial risk — it just takes a few patients with serious medical conditions to upend the books. Dan Gray, a PACE financing consultant at Continuum Development Services, said too many trips to the emergency room or an expensive hospital stay can flip fortunes. One organization he advises had $300, 000 in hospital medical claims in a month that he refers to as “Black August. ” “I had a nervous twitch,” he said. In January, at the health care industry’s leading matchmaking event, the J. P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, word quickly spread that PACE programs could save states and the federal government up to 20 percent a patient. And suddenly, the program became one of the hottest topics of discussion. “Every other conversation was, ‘What do you think we should do with PACE? ’” said Bill Pomeranz, a managing director at Cain Brothers, who helped finance the nation’s first PACE program in the 1970s. The message appeared to travel down Highway 101 as well, to the heart of the technology industry. At least eight have circulated pitches to Silicon Valley venture capital firms, hoping to tap into new capital and create versions of the program. The interest of the tech industry is so far only nascent. But the possibility that Silicon Valley, notoriously aggressive and extremely could play a significant role in PACE underscores the changes that may lie ahead. Building a center requires medical offices, rehabilitation equipment, food service and fleets of vans. On average, it takes up to $12 million just to get it off the ground. That is a lot of money for most nonprofits but relatively little in the technology world. Opening new centers may become less of a hurdle. The tech industry and nonprofit world are driven by different impulses. The early centers were closely tied to local cultures, making them difficult to replicate. An aversion to aggressive marketing among the center’s leaders didn’t help, either. Tech likes to move as fast as possible. “PACE reminds me of religious orthodoxy,” said Mr. Pomeranz, who said he had affection for the program. The movement’s leaders come from the world of public health and have a “social work mentality,” he added. The pitches circulating among investors envision programs that would rely, in part, on video visits and sensors. Some studies have found that telemedicine can help patients better control certain chronic conditions and reduce health care spending. But those technologies are largely untested in geriatric care. “The entrepreneurs coming into this space all believe there are much ways to check on patients every day than driving them all to one building,” said Mr. Kocher, who is now a partner at the venture capital firm Venrock, which invests in health care companies. These sorts of pitches, while promising, have not been universally welcomed. They have even been used as evidence that opening PACE up to companies might lead to unwanted consequences. Veteran PACE providers, for example, are skeptical of virtual medicine’s benefits to seniors, especially those with dementia. “Socialization goes a long way to improve the health of the participants we serve,” said Kelly Hopkins, president of Trinity Health PACE, a nonprofit health system that operates PACE centers in eight states. “It’s naïve to think you can do it virtually. ” Supporters of the change say the necessary safeguards are in place. The centers were approved, to little fanfare, after the Department of Health and Human Services submitted the results of a pilot study to Congress in June 2015. The demonstration project, in Pennsylvania, showed no difference in quality of care and costs between nonprofit PACE providers and a allowed to operate there. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has vowed to closely track the performance of all PACE operators by measuring emergency room use, falls and vaccination rates, among other metrics. The National PACE Association, a policy and lobbying group, is also considering accreditation to help safeguard the program. Oversight is now largely left to state Medicaid agencies. Maureen Hewitt, InnovAge’s chief executive, said, “At the end of the day, we’re held to the same quality and care standards. ” Dr. Si France, a founder of WelbeHealth, an company based in Menlo Park, Calif. says can use technology to improve clinical communication, help caregivers make treatment decisions and monitor patients at home or in a hospital. But he insists even a PACE program cannot veer from its origins. “It’s not a way to get rich or generate outsize returns,” said Dr. France, the former chief executive of GoHealth, a chain of urgent care centers acquired by TPG Capital, a private equity firm. “We think this is an arena for missionaries, not mercenaries. ” Families enrolled in InnovAge’s PACE program in Denver appeared to be unaware of its conversion into a enterprise. The company did not announce the change directly to its participants, but notified a patient advisory group. Kathy Baron, 68, who lives in subsidized senior housing, was left disabled by breast cancer and debilitating nerve pain. Her daughter, Leah van Zelm, struggled to take care of her. So Ms. Baron, fearful she would be deemed unfit to stay in her apartment, signed up for InnovAge’s program. “I would rather be dead than go into a nursing home,” Ms. Baron said. She says InnovAge has been generous with services, echoing interviews with other patients. Each week, an InnovAge housekeeper changes the sheets on her bed, launders her clothes and cleans her apartment, a service provided to those unable to tidy their own homes. The few times her requests for special equipment or services were denied, Ms. Baron appealed and won. But she worries new investors will skimp on what outsiders might view as unwarranted services. The company’s commercials, promising “Life on Your Terms” and voiced by the actress Susan Sarandon, have reinforced those concerns. It’s a concern echoed by Ms. Malveaux’s family. “Anytime you involve money,” said Jermaine Malveaux, Ms. Malveaux’s grandson, “there’s always the concern for greed, especially with the elderly. ” At least in the near future, the number of companies getting into PACE programs will be limited. Most states cap enrollment in PACE centers. And each state — as Colorado did, opening the window for InnovAge — likely needs to amend its law to allow the companies. So far, it appears only California has done so. Yet there is a growing realization among longtime PACE providers that new competition looms. In a newsletter to the generally placid PACE community, one adviser warned that providers who failed to become bigger would face new entrants who “will find a way to meet the needs of persons in your community. ” Those needs will only grow as the adult children of baby boomers face difficult decisions about how to care for their parents. In the meantime, for people like Ms. Van Zelm, the anxiety that once pervaded her daily life has diminished. “When she’s stable,” Ms. Van Zelm said of her mother, “my daily life stress is reduced. ” | 1 |
President-Elect Donald Trump's First Televised Interview Video CBS 60 Minutes Trump Talks Wall, Deportations, Roe v. Wade, and Clintons Future in 60 Minutes Interview. November 14, 2016 Audio
Lesley Stahl: Well, congratulations, Mr. Trump.
Donald Trump: Thank you.
Lesley Stahl: Youre president-elect.
Donald Trump: Thank you.
Lesley Stahl: How surprised were you?
Donald Trump: Well, I really felt we were doing well. I was on a string of about 21 straight days of speeches, sometimes many a day and the last two days I really-- I really had a pretty wild time. I did six speeches and then I did seven and--
Lesley Stahl: But everyone thought you were going to lose.
Donald Trump: I know, I did my final speech in Michigan at 1:00 in the morning and we had 31,000 people, many people outside of the arena. And I felt-- when I left, I said, How are we gonna lose? We set it up a day before. And we had all of these people. And it was literally at 1:00 in the morning and I said, This doesnt look like second place. So we were really happy, I mean, it was-- these are great people.
Lesley Stahl: On election night, I heard you went completely silent. Was it a sort of realization of the enormity of this thing for you?
Donald Trump: I think so, its enormous. Ive done a lotta big things, Ive never done anything like this. It is so big, it is so-- its so enormous, its so amazing.
Lesley Stahl: It kind of just took your breath away? Couldnt talk?
Donald Trump: A li-- a little bit, a little bit. And I think-- I realized that this is a whole different life for me now.
Lesley Stahl: Hillary called you. Tell us about that phone call.
Donald Trump: So Hillary called and it was a lovely call and it was a tough call for her, I mean, I can imagine. Tougher for her than it would have been for me. And for me, it would have been very, very difficult. She couldnt have been nicer. She just said, Congratulations, Donald, well done. And I said, I want to thank you very much, you were a great competitor. She is very strong and very smart.
Lesley Stahl: What about Bill Clinton? Did you talk to him?
Donald Trump: He did, he called the next day.
Lesley Stahl: Really? What did he say?
Donald Trump: He actually called last night.
Lesley Stahl: What did he say?
Donald Trump: And he-- he couldnt have been more gracious. He said it was an amazing run. One of the most amazing hes ever seen.
Lesley Stahl: He said that.
Donald Trump: He was very, very-- really, very nice.
Lesley Stahl: It was a pretty nasty campaign. Do you regret any of the things you said about her?
Donald Trump: Well, it was a double-side nasty.
Donald Trump: I mean they were tough and I was tough and-- do I regret? I mean, Im sitting here with you now and were gonna do a great job for the country. Were going to make America great again, I mean, thats what-- it-- it began with that and thats where we are right now. There are so many--
Lesley Stahl: So no-- no regrets about--
Donald Trump: I cant regret. No-- I wish it were softer, I wish it were nicer, I wish maybe even it was more on policy, or whatever you want to say. But-- but I will say that-- it really-- it really is something that Im very proud of I mean it was a tremendous campaign.
Lesley Stahl: Can we talk about yesterday with President Obama?
Donald Trump: Sure.
Lesley Stahl: 90 minutes. You were scheduled for what? 15?
Donald Trump: 15 max.
[Barack Obama: We talked about foreign policy, we talked about domestic policy.]
Donald Trump: This was just going to be a quick little chat and it lasted close to an hour and a half. And it could have gone on for four hours. I mean it was-- just-- in fact, it was almost hard breaking it up because we had so many things to say. And he told me-- the good things and the bad things, there are things that are tough right now--
Lesley Stahl: Like what?
Donald Trump: Well
Lesley Stahl: Give us some meat.
Donald Trump: Well, look I dont want to divulge, but we talked about the Middle East, thats tough. Its a tough situation. I wanted to get his full view and I got his, you know I got a good part of his view.
Lesley Stahl: Uh-huh.
Donald Trump: And I like having that because Im going to be inheriting that in a short period of time. I found him to be terrific. I found him to be-- very smart and very nice. Great sense of humor, as much as you can have a sense of humor talking about tough subjects, but we were talking about some pretty tough subjects.
Donald Trump:and we were talking about some victories, also, some things that-- that he feels very good about. But--
Lesley Stahl: Like--
Donald Trump: Well, what I really wanted to focus on was-- the Middle East, North Korea, Obamacare is tough. You know, healthcare is a tough situation.
Lesley Stahl: Oh, I bet he asked you not to undo it.
Donald Trump: Well, he didnt ask me, no, he told me-- you know, the merits and the difficulties. And we understand that.
Lesley Stahl: You looked pretty sober sitting there in the Oval Office, did something wash over you or--
Donald Trump: No, I think Im a sober person. I think the press tries to make you into something a little bit different. In my case, a little bit of a wild man. Im not. Im actually not. Im a very sober person. But it was respect for the office, it was respect for the president. Again, I never met him before, but we had-- we had a very good chemistry going. And-- and I really foundit might not be that I agree with him, but I really found the conversation unbelievably interesting.
[Barack Obama: I want to emphasize to you, Mr. President-elect, that we now are gonna want to do everything we can to help you succeed, because if you succeed then the country succeeds.]
Lesley Stahl: Was it at all awkward, at all, given what youve said about each other? You said he was not born in this country, he said things about you, he said youre-- unqualified--
Donald Trump: You know what, it was a very-- it was a very interesting thing because-- I mean, few people have asked me from my family, what was that first period of time like?
Lesley Stahl: Yeah.
Donald Trump: We never discussed what was said about each other. I said terrible things about him, he said terrible things about me. We never ever discussed what we said about each other
Lesley Stahl: There was no awkwardness?
Donald Trump: Ill be honest, from my standpoint zero, zero. And thats strange. Im actually surprised to tell you that. Its-- you know, a little bit strange.
[Donald Trump: Thank you, sir.]
Lesley Stahl: Do you think that-- that your election is a repudiation of his presidency?
Donald Trump: No, I think its a moment in time where politicians for a long period of time have let people down. Theyve let em down on the job front. Theyve even let em down in terms of the war front. You know, weve been fighting this war for 15 years--
Lesley Stahl: This was the message of your campaign.
Donald Trump: Weve spent $6 trillion in the Middle East, $6 trillion, we could have rebuilt our country twice. And you look at our roads and our bridges and our tunnels and all of the-- and our airports are, like, obsolete. And I think it was just a repudiation of whats been taking place over a longer period of time than that.
Lesley Stahl: You know, you surprised everyone by winning the primaries, beating 17 other Republicans or 16, whatever-- people are really surprised that you won this election. Are people going to be surprised about how you conduct yourself as president?
Donald Trump: You know, Ill conduct myself-- in a very good manner, but depends on what the situation is, sometimes you have to be rougher. When I look at-- when I look at the world and you look at how various places are taking advantage of our country, and I say it, and I say it very proudly, its going to be America first. Its not going to be what were doingwe, weve lost-- were losing this country. Were losing this country. Thats why I won the election. And by the way, won it easily, I mean I won easily. That was big, big.
Lesley Stahl: Are you going to sometimes have that same rhetoric that you had on the stump? Or are you going to reign it in?
Donald Trump: Well, sometimes you need a certain rhetoric to get people motivated. I dont want to be just a little nice monotone character and in many cases I will be.
Lesley Stahl: Can you be?
Donald Trump: Sure I can. I can be easily, thats easier. Honestly to do that, its easier.
Lesley Stahl: So lets go through very quickly some of the promises you made and tell us if youre going to do what you said or youre going to change it in any way. Are you really going to build a wall?
Donald Trump: Yes.
Lesley Stahl: Theyre talking about a fence in the Republican Congress, would you accept a fence?
Donald Trump: For certain areas I would, but certain areas, a wall is more appropriate. Im very good at this, its called construction.
Lesley Stahl: So part wall, part fence?
Donald Trump: Yeah, it could be it could be some fencing.
Lesley Stahl: What about the pledge to deport millions and millions of undocumented immigrants?
Donald Trump: What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, we have a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate. But were getting them out of our country, theyre here illegally. After the border is secured and after everything gets normalized, were going to make a determination on the people that youre talking about who are terrific people, theyre terrific people but we are gonna make a determination at that-- But before we make that determination-- Lesley, its very important, we want to secure our border.
[Paul Ryan: We had a fantastic, productive meeting.]
Lesley Stahl: So you were with Paul Ryan, you met with the Republican leadership, what was the-- one thing that you all agreed you want to get done right away?
Donald Trump: Well, I would say there was more than one thing, there were three things, it was healthcare, there was immigration and there was a major tax bill lowering taxes in this country. Were going to substantially simplify and lower the taxes--
Lesley Stahl: And youve got both Houses?
Donald Trump: And I have both Houses and we have the presidency, so we can do things--
Lesley Stahl: You can do things lickety-split.
Donald Trump: Its been a long time since its happened.
Donald Trump: And they gave me a lot of credit. Dont forget, I was abused four or five weeks ago, they said I was going to-- instead of having all three, we would lose all three. So that was good. But those are the three things that we really discussed.
Lesley Stahl: You said that lobbyists owned politicians because they give them money.
Donald Trump: Yeah.
Lesley Stahl: You admitted you used to do it yourself. You have a transition team
Donald Trump: And when you say lobbyists, lobbyists and special interests.
Lesley Stahl: And you want to get rid of all of that?
Donald Trump: I dont like it, no.
Lesley Stahl: You dont like it, but your own transition team, its filled with lobbyists.
Donald Trump: Thats the only people you have down there.
Lesley Stahl: You have lobbyists from Verizon, you have lobbyists from the oil gas industry, you have food lobby.
Donald Trump: Sure. Everybodys a lobbyist down there--
Lesley Stahl: Well, wait
Donald Trump: Thats what they are. Theyre lobbyists or special interests
Lesley Stahl: On your own transition team.
Donald Trump:we are trying to clean up Washington. Look--
Lesley Stahl: How can you claim--
Donald Trump: Everything, everything down there-- there are no people-- there are all people that work -- thats the problem with the system, the system. Right now, were going to clean it up. Were having restrictions on foreign money coming in, were going to put on term limits, which a lot of people arent happy about, but were putting on term limits. Were doing a lot of things to clean up the system. But everybody that works for government, they then leave government and they become a lobbyist, essentially. I mean, the whole place is one big lobbyist.
Lesley Stahl: But youre, but youre basically saying you have to rely on them, even though you want to get rid of them?
Donald Trump: Im saying that they know the system right now, but were going to phase that out. You have to phase it out.
Lesley Stahl: Lets talk about your cabinet.
Donald Trump: OK.
Lesley Stahl: Have you made any decisions?
Donald Trump: Yes.
Lesley Stahl: Tell us.
Donald Trump: Well, I cant tell you that, but I have made--
Lesley Stahl: Oh, come on
Donald Trump: You know the amazing thing to show you the incredible nature of our country. First of all, every major leader and probably less than major le- has called me, Ive spoken to many of them and Ill call the rest of them, but and I said, Boy, this really shows you how powerful our country is. France and U.K. and I mean everybody, all over Asiaand very, just to congratulate. But it really shows the power of our country.
Lesley Stahl: One of the things youre going to obviously get an opportunity to do, is name someone to the Supreme Court. And I assume youll do that quickly?
Donald Trump: Yes. Very important.
Lesley Stahl: During the campaign, you said that you would appoint justices who were against abortion rights. Will you appoint-- are you looking to appoint a justice who wants to overturn Roe v. Wade?
Donald Trump: So look, heres whats going to happen-- Im going to-- Im pro-life. The judges will be pro-life. Theyll be very
Lesley Stahl: But what about overturning this law--
Donald Trump: Well, there are a couple of things. Theyll be pro-life, theyll be-- in terms of the whole gun situation, we know the Second Amendment and everybodys talking about the Second Amendment and theyre trying to dice it up and change it, theyre going to be very pro-Second Amendment. But having to do with abortion if it ever were overturned, it would go back to the states. So it would go back to the states and--
Lesley Stahl: Yeah, but then some women wont be able to get an abortion?
Donald Trump: No, itll go back to the states.
Lesley Stahl: By stateno some --
Donald Trump: Yeah.
Donald Trump: Yeah, well, theyll perhaps have to go, theyll have to go to another state.
Lesley Stahl: And thats OK?
Donald Trump: Well, well see what happens. Its got a long way to go, just so you understand. That has a long, long way to go.
Lesley Stahl: Are you in any way intimidated, scared about this enormous burden, the gravity of what youre taking on?
Donald Trump: No.
Lesley Stahl: Not at all?
Donald Trump: I respect it. But Im not scared by it.
Lesley Stahl: Now youre not scared, but there are people, Americans, who are scared and some of them are demonstrating right now, demonstrating against you, against your rhetoric--
Donald Trump: Thats only because they dont know me. I really believe thats only because--
Lesley Stahl: Well, they listened to you in the campaign and thats--
Donald Trump: I just dont think they know me.
Lesley Stahl: Well, what do you think theyre demonstrating against?
Donald Trump: Well, I think in some cases, you have professional protesters. And we had it-- if you look at WikiLeaks, we had--
Lesley Stahl: You think those people down there are
Donald Trump: Well Lesley
Lesley Stahl: are professional?
Donald Trump: Oh, I think some of them will be professional, yeah--
Lesley Stahl: OK, but what about theyre in every city.
Lesley Stahl: When they demonstrate against you and there are signs out there, I mean, dont you say to yourself, I guess you dont, you know, do I have to worry about this? Do I have to go out and assuage them? Do I have to tell them not to be afraid? Theyre afraid.
Donald Trump: I would tell them dont be afraid, absolutely.
Lesley Stahl: But thats not what youre saying, I said it-
Donald Trump: Oh, I think, no, no, I think-- I am saying it, Ive been saying it.
Lesley Stahl: OK.
Donald Trump: Dont be afraid. We are going to bring our country back. But certainly, dont be afraid. You know, we just had an election and sort of like you have to be given a little time. I mean, people are protesting. If Hillary had won and if my people went out and protested, everybody would say, Oh, thats a terrible thing. And it would have been a much different attitude. There is a different attitude. You know, there is a double standard here.
It has been five full days since the election and anti-Trump demonstrations, driven in part by Hillary Clintons edge in the popular vote, have been significant.
When we interviewed him on Friday afternoon Mr. Trump said he had not heard about some of the acts of violence that are popping up in his name or against his supporters.
Nor he said had he heard about reports of racial slurs and personal threats against African Americans, Latinos and gays by some of his supporters.
Donald Trump: I am very surprised to hear that-- I hate to hear that, I mean I hate to hear that--
Lesley Stahl: But you do hear it?
Donald Trump: I dont hear itI saw, I saw one or two instances
Lesley Stahl: On social media?
Donald Trump: But I think its a very small amount. Again, I think its--
Lesley Stahl: Do you want to say anything to those people?
Donald Trump: I would say dont do it, thats terrible, cause Im gonna bring this country together.
Lesley Stahl: Theyre harassing Latinos, Muslims--
Donald Trump: I am so saddened to hear that. And I say, Stop it. If it-- if it helps. I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: Stop it.
During the campaign Mr. Trump said he would appoint a special prosecutor to look into Hillary Clintons email issue.
So we asked him if he plans to carry that out.
That part of the interview and a discussion with the next first lady, Melania Trump, when we come back.
On Friday, Donald Trump announced that he was changing the head of his transition team. Governor Chris Christie was replaced by Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Mr. Trump also added his three older children to the transition team.
Between now and Inauguration Day, the team must fill the new administration with 4,000 political appointees. Thats 4,000 new hires in just nine weeks.
When we talked to Donald Trump on Friday, the enormity and gravity of his new role was just sinking in. He was subdued. We wondered if as president he planned to temper his rhetoric, lower the flame.
Lesley Stahl: I want to ask you about the tweet that you put out, I think it was last night or the night before, about these demonstrators.
Donald Trump: Yeah.
Lesley Stahl: You said that they were professionalsand you said it was unfair.
Donald Trump: I said some of them. Some of them are --
Lesley Stahl: But are you going to be tweeting and whatever youre upset about just put out there when youre president?
Donald Trump: So its a modern form of communication, between Face-- you know, Facebook and Twitter and I guess Instagram, I have 28 million people. 28 million people--
Lesley Stahl: So you are going to keep it up?
Donald Trump: Its a great form of communication. Now, do I say Ill give it up entirely and throw out, thats a tremendous form-- I pick up-- Im picking up now, I think I picked up yesterday 100,000 people. Im not saying I love it, but it does get the word out. When you give me a bad story or when you give me an inaccurate story or when somebody other than you and another network, or whatever, cause of course, CBS would never do a thing like that right? I have a method of fighting back. Thats very tough--
Lesley Stahl: But youre going to do that as president?
Donald Trump: Im going to do very restrained, if I use it at all, Im going to do very restrained. I find it tremendous. Its a modern form of communication. There should be nothing you should be ashamed of. Its-- its where its at. I-- I do believe this, I really believe that, um-- the fact that I have such power in terms of numbers with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, et cetera, I think it helped me win all of these races where theyre spending much more money than I spent. You know, I spent my money. A lot of my money. And I won. I think that social media has more power than the money they spent, and I think maybe to a certain extent, I proved that.
Lesley Stahl: Are you going to ask for a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton over her emails? And are you, as you had said to her face, going to try and put her in jail?
Donald Trump: Well, Ill tell you what Im going to do, Im going to think about it. Um, I feel that I want to focus on jobs, I want to focus on healthcare, I want to focus on the border and immigration and doing a really great immigration bill. We want to have a great immigration bill. And I want to focus on all of these other things that weve been talking about.
Lesley Stahl: You-- you know, you--
Donald Trump: And get the country straightened away.
Lesley Stahl: You called her crooked Hillary, said you wanted to get in jail, your people in your audiences kept saying, Lock em up.
Donald Trump: Yeah. She did--
Lesley Stahl: Do you
Donald Trump: She did some bad things, I mean she did some bad things--
Lesley Stahl: I know, but a special prosecutor? You think you might
Donald Trump: I dont want to hurt them. I dont want to hurt them. Theyre, theyre good people. I dont want to hurt them. And I will give you a very, very good and definitive answer the next time we do 60 Minutes together.
With that
[Donald Trump: You look great, honey.]
We were joined by the next first lady, Melania Trump. Shell be only the second foreign-born first lady. Shes from Slovenia. John Quincy Adams wife Louisa was the first.
Lesley Stahl: You know, I asked your husband if he was at all intimidated and scared about what lies ahead. The enormity. Youre about to be first lady. Are you a little nervous about it? Little tense? A little--
Melania Trump: Well, there is a lot of responsibilities. And its-- a lot of work needs to be done. And-- its-- your-- stuff on your shoulders. And-- we will take care of it-- day by day. I will stay true to myself. Im very strong and um-- tough and confident. And I will listen myself and I will do what is right and what feels to my heart.
Lesley Stahl: What kind of a first lady do you think shes going to be?
Donald Trump: She will be terrific. She is very strong and very confident, but shes very warm. And I think shell have a platform where shell really be able to do a lot of good. And thats what she wants to do.
Lesley Stahl: You know, first ladies usually have a cause. And youve already said youre interested in speaking out against bullying on social media.
Melania Trump: I think its very important because a lot of children and teenagers are getting hurt. And we need to teach them how to talk to each other, how to treat each other and to, to be able to connect with each other on the right way.
Its an ironic choice since her own husband sent out a stream of pretty nasty tweets during the campaign.
Lesley Stahl: What about your husbands tweeting?
Melania Trump: Well, sometimes he-- it got him in trouble. But it helped a lot as well. He had unbelievable following.
Lesley Stahl: So you never say to him, Come on?
Melania Trump: I did.
Donald Trump: She does--
Melania Trump: I--
Melania Trump: You know, of course, I did many times, from the beginning of the campaign. But
Lesley Stahl: Does he listen to you?
Melania Trump: Sometimes he listens, sometimes he doesnt--
Donald Trump: Im not a big tweeter. I mean, I dont do too many, but they hit home. And they have to get a point across.
Lesley Stahl: If he does something that you think crossed a line, will you tell him?
Melania Trump: Yes, I tell him all the time.
Lesley Stahl: All the time?
Melania Trump: All the time.
Lesley Stahl: And does--
Melania Trump: And--
Lesley Stahl: --he listen? Does he--
Melania Trump: I think he hears me. But he will do what he wants to do on the end. Hes an adult. He knows the consequences. And I give him my opinion. And he could do whatever he likes with it.
Lesley Stahl: Did you ask Melania sort of, for permission, in a way, to run for president? Did you get her approval?
Donald Trump: Well, I actually sat down with Melania and my whole family and we talked about it. Don, Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany. Barron to a lesser extent, but Barron too. Um, because in a way hes affected every bit as much. Maybe more.
Lesley Stahl: Maybe more.
Donald Trump: And so we all had a dinner and I said, I would like to do this. I think I can do a great job. And I wanted to get, number one, a consensus and number two, ideally, their permission. And they all agreed.
Lesley Stahl: Your son Barron, what is he, 10?
Melania Trump: 10.
Lesley Stahl: 10. He was on camera the whole time you were giving your acceptance speech. Does he get it? Does he know?
Melania Trump: He knows. He knows--
Lesley Stahl: He knows?
Melania Trump: --whats going on. And, hes very proud of his dad.
Lesley Stahl: Now-- you met with Michelle Obama yesterday. Was there any awkwardness, given--
Melania Trump: No.
Lesley Stahl: --what everybody was saying about everybody in the campaign?
Melania Trump: No. I didnt feel it.
Lesley Stahl: Not at all?
Melania Trump: No.
Lesley Stahl: Tell us about the meeting.
Melania Trump: Yes, she was a gracious host. We had a great time and we talk about raising children in the White House. She was very warm and very nice.
Lesley Stahl: You know, she raised the two kids in the White House. But she had her mother living there. Thats an enormous help. Your parents are here, right?
Melania Trump: Theyre here.
Lesley Stahl: Will they go to Washington with you?
Melania Trump: They might. We will see. We will discuss that.
Lesley Stahl: Are you prepared, both of you, for the lack of privacy and the intense scrutiny? And you know, first ladies are really criticized if one little hairs out of place. Are you both prepared for this?
Melania Trump: We are used to it.
Donald Trump: I will say, it is on a different scale now, cause Ive had a lot. But Ive never had anything like this.
Lesley Stahl: You wont be able to walk down the street--
Melania Trump: I didnt do that for two years already, so you know, it will just continue. Its another level, but it will continue.
At that point, the discussion turned back to some of the thornier issues Mr. Trump faces.
Lesley Stahl: FBI director James Comey. Are you going to ask for his resignation?
Donald Trump: I think that I would rather not comment on that yet. I dont-- I havent made up my mind. I respect him a lot. I respect the FBI a lot. I think --
Lesley Stahl: Even though they leak so much?
Donald Trump: Well, theres been a lotta leaking, theres no question about that. But I would certainly like to talk to him. And see him. This is a tough time for him. And I would like to talk to him before Id answer a question like that.
Lesley Stahl: Sounds like youre not sure.
Donald Trump: Well, sure, Im not sure. Id wanna see, you know, he may have had very good reasons for doing what he did.
Lesley Stahl: Are you gonna release your tax returns?
Donald Trump: At the appropriate time, I will release them. But right now Im under routine audit. Nobody cares. The only one who cares is, you know, you and a few people that asked that question. Obviously, the public didnt care because I won the election very easily. So they dont care. I never thought they did care.
Lesley Stahl: Now, for months, you were running around saying that the system is rigged, the whole thing was rigged. You tweeted once that the Electoral College is a disaster for democracy.
Donald Trump: I do.
Lesley Stahl: So do you still think its rigged?
Donald Trump: Well, I think the electoral ca-- look, I won with the Electoral College.
Lesley Stahl: Exactly.But do you think--
Donald Trump: You know, its--
Lesley Stahl: --its rigged?
Donald Trump: Yeah, some of the election locations are. Some of the system is. I hated--
Lesley Stahl: Even though you won youre saying that--
Donald Trump: I hated-- well, you know, Im not going to change my mind just because I won. But I would rather see it where you went with simple votes. You know, you get 100 million votes and somebody else gets 90 million votes and you win. Theres a reason for doing this because it brings all the states into play. Electoral College and theres something very good about that. But this is a different system. But I respect it. I do respect the system.
Lesley Stahl: What about vacations? Youre not going to take any vacations? Youve said that.
Donald Trump: We have so much work. Theres so much work to be done. And I want to get it done for the people. I want to get it done. Were lowering taxes, were taking care of health care. I mean, theres just so much to be done. So I dont think well be very big on vacations, no.
Lesley Stahl: Are you gonna take the salary, the presidents salary?
Donald Trump: Well, Ive never commented on this, but the answer is no. I think I have to by law take $1, so Ill take $1 a year. But its a -- I dont even know what it is.
Donald Trump: Do you know what the salary is?
Lesley Stahl: $400,000 youre giving up.
Donald Trump: No, Im not gonna take the salary. Im not taking it.
In a moment, the Trump children join us and we will ask the president-elect where he stands on gay marriage, Obamacare, and ISIS.
On Tuesday, Donald Trump reached deep into Americas ranks of the discouraged and neglected, a largely white constituency. They feel their America hasnt been great for a long time. And they accepted a promise to make it great again.
But Mr. Trumps appeal wasnt just to the disaffected. A map on election night was a sea of red, as he won support across the traditionally Republican South, but also deep into what used to be the blue wall of the Midwest.
Hillary Clinton came up short among her own supporters in large cities and affluent suburbs, among minorities and especially women. Just 51 percent of college-educated white women voted to make her the first female president. Her base didnt come with the enthusiasm and the turnout she needed to fend off Donald Trumps new and energized coalition.
On Friday Mr. Trumps four older children Tiffany, Donald, Jr., Eric And Ivanka -- joined us to talk about their fathers surprising victory.
Lesley Stahl: Set the scene. Its election night. Your father-- no ones expecting him to win and it begins to dawn on you. Tell us about being in that room.
Eric Trump: You start to see the states falling. You start seeing Florida come in and he was declared the winner. And then you saw Ohio, you saw North Carolina. You saw Pennsylvania. You saw Wisconsin. I mean, you saw all these great states theyre all falling. And I think it was when we got Pennsylvania that we knew. And it was amazing. We were high fiving and we were all hugging as a family. And I actually think our father was the calmest of all of us even though he was really obviously the center of attention. So--
Lesley Stahl: He went quiet is what I heard.
Eric Trump: --its-- its--
Lesley Stahl: --is what I heard.
Eric Trump: --its a moment Ill never forget, I can tell you that. I mean, the team was around and everybodys cheering. And it was just-- it was-- it was a beautiful night.
Ivanka Trump: It is hard to put into words the experience or the emotion when your father becomes president of the United States of America. We had enormous pride, joy. Its incredibly exciting. And were very grateful for the opportunity. And we take that opportunity very seriously.
Lesley Stahl: Tiffany?
Tiffany Trump: I mean I dont think we can really prepare for our father becoming president. But we were all there together with everyone thats worked so hard. And my dad has worked so hard. And its just its really awe-inspiring.
At some point that night and into the next day, calls from well-wishers started pouring in including, Mr. Trump told us, from both ex-presidents Bush. Neither of whom supported him in the campaign.
Lesley Stahl: What did the b=Bushes say when they called you?
Donald Trump: Well, it was very interesting. I got a call from Father Bush, who is a wonderful man. And he just said, Congratulations. It was an amazing campaign. And then I got a call from George and he said-- Congratulations. It was great. And, you know, look, its-- its a tough situation. I went to war with Jeb. And Jebs a nice guy, but it was a nasty campaign. It was a nasty campaign. And, I mean, Im disappointed in one thing. He signed a pledge and I dont know how you sign a pledge and then you dont honor it. It was a rough primary. Its a rough primary. Although I think the general was probably just as tough. Probably as a combination, it was the roughest ever.
Lesley Stahl: Ivanka, you said that your fathers changed in the campaign. How has he changed?
Ivanka Trump: I think its impossible to go through this journey and not change for the better. You meet-- and in my fathers case, literally millions of Americans, and they speak to you with a candor about their struggles, their challenges. They share with you their most intimate stories. So you connect with people in a different way. And you grow.
Lesley Stahl: Do you think your fathers changed?
Eric Trump: I think as a family, weve changed, to tell you the truth. I mean, how big this platform is, is incredible. And I have to say, one of the most rewarding things of my life, and I can speak on behalf of really all of us, its fighting by our fathers side every single day as youve gone through a grueling, grueling process like this.
Lesley Stahl: Don, did you discover something about your father that you didnt know before?
Donald Trump, Jr.: You know-- we-- we know him pretty well. And weve got to, you know, be by his side for many years, both as a father and in business. So, you know-- the tenacity that hes always shown-- was just there. But it was just so much more. When I was watching him working 20-hour days, doing seven major speeches to tens of thousands of people and just saying, Well, it wasnt triage. Which state are we gonna do today, its, Were just gonna do em all. Were gonna speak to all of these people. And I think people saw that energy. They fed off that energy. That energy was so much of the movement-- that he was able to create. And, you know-- it-- it only furthered what I already knew.
Lesley Stahl: I want to ask you all about something thats going on right now around the country. A lot of people are afraid. Theyre really afraid. African Americans think theres a target on their back. Muslims are terrified.
Donald Trump: I think its horrible if thats happening. I think its built up by the press because, frankly, theyll take every single little incident that they can find in this country, which couldve been there before. If I werent even around doing this, and theyll make into an event because thats the way the press is.
Lesley Stahl: Do any of you want to say anything about this fear thats out there?
Donald Trump, Jr.: I-- I think the fears, you know, while they may be there, some fabricated, some not-- are totally unfounded.
Lesley Stahl: One of the groups thats expressing fear are the LGBTQ group. You--
Donald Trump: And yet I mentioned them at the Republican National Convention. And--
Lesley Stahl: You did.
Donald Trump: Everybody said, That was so great. I have been, you know, Ive been-a supporter.
Lesley Stahl: Well, I guess the issue for them is marriage equality. Do you support marriage equality?
Donald Trump: It-- its irrelevant because it was already settled. Its law. It was settled in the Supreme Court. I mean its done.
Lesley Stahl: So even if you appoint a judge that--
Donald Trump: Its done. It-- you have-- these cases have gone to the Supreme Court. Theyve been settled. And, Im fine with that.
Lesley Stahl: One of the issues that has come up in the campaign is your fathers temperament. And he has himself has said, If someone insults me or says something unkind about me, Im gonna strike back. And now people are saying, Well, maybe he should kinda soften that, control that a little. What-- how do you think hes going to comport himself as president?
Eric Trump: I think very presidential. At the same time, my father, if he needs to be a fighter, he can be a fighter. And I think this country, quite frankly, needs a fighter. And I think thats what this country elected.
Donald Trump: They spent $1 billion against me on the word Temperament. It was given by Madison Avenue. And they thought that, by temperament, they could maybe, you know, win the election. Obviously, it didnt work because were here and theyre not. And I think my strongest asset is my temperament because I have a temperament where we win and were going to start winning again. Were going to win on trade, were going to win at the borders, were going to knock out ISIS.
Lesley Stahl: You have said that youre gonna destroy ISIS. Now, how are you going to?
Donald Trump: I dont tell you that. I dont tell you that.
Lesley Stahl: Yeah, but what can --
Donald Trump: Im not like the people going in right now and fighting Mosul and they announced it four months before they went into Mosul and everybody now is -- its a tough fight because, number one, the people from the --leaders of ISIS have left. What do you-- why do I have to tell you that?
Lesley Stahl: Troops on the ground?
Donald Trump: Im not gonna say anything. I dont want to tell them anything. I dont want to tell anybody anything.
Lesley Stahl: Yeah, but what aboutthe American people.
Donald Trump: I wanna do the job. We have some great generals. We have great generals.
Lesley Stahl: You said you knew more than the generals about ISIS
Donald Trump: Well, Ill be honest with you, I probably do because look at the job theyve done. OK, look at the job theyve done. They havent done the job. Now, maybe its leadership, maybe its something else. Who knows? All I can tell you is were going to get rid of ISIS.
Lesley Stahl: Let me ask you about Obamacare, which you say youre going to repeal and replace. When you replace it, are you going to make sure that people with pre-conditions are still covered?
Donald Trump: Yes. Because it happens to be one of the strongest assets.
Lesley Stahl: Youre going to keep that?
Donald Trump: Also, with the children living with their parents for an extended period, were gonna--
Lesley Stahl: Youre gonna keep that--
Donald Trump: Very much try and keep that. Adds cost, but its very much something were going to try and keep.
Lesley Stahl: And theres going to be a period if you repeal it and before you replace it, when millions of people could lose - no?
Donald Trump: No, were going to do it simultaneously. Itll be just fine. Were not going to have, like, a two-day period and were not going to have a two-year period where theres nothing. It will be repealed and replaced. And well know. And itll be great health care for much less money. So itll be better health care, much better, for less money. Not a bad combination.
Lesley Stahl: Roles during the administration. Any of you want a job in your fathers administration? Eric Trump: So we have an amazing company. You know, one of, I think, the fortunate things for my father and our father is that he was able to step out of the company to run for commander-in-chief. And I think hes going to rely on us more than ever. And--
Lesley Stahl: So youll stay up here?
Eric Trump: So well-- well-- well be in New York and well take care of the business. I think were going to have a lot of fun doing it. And were going to make him very proud.
Lesley Stahl: People think that youre going to be part of the administration, Ivanka.
Ivanka Trump: Im-- no. Im going to be a daughter. But Ive-- Ive said throughout the campaign that I am very passionate about certain issues. And that I want to fight for them.
Lesley Stahl: But you wont be inside--
Ivanka Trump: Wage equality, childcare. These are things that are very important for me. Im very passionate about education. Really promoting more opportunities for women. So you know, therere a lot of things that I feel deeply, strongly about. But not in a formal administrative capacity.
Lesley Stahl: Let me ask whether any of you think that the campaign has hurt the Trump brand.
Ivanka Trump: I dont think it matters. This is so much more important. And more serious. And-- so th-- I-- I-- you know, thats the focus.
Donald Trump: I think what Ivanka trying to say, Who cares? Who cares? This is big league stuff. This is-- this is our country. Our country is going bad. Were going to save our country. I dont care about hotel occupancy. Its peanuts compared to what were doing. Health care, making people better. Its unfair whats happened to the people of our country and were going to change it. As simple as that.
Š 2016 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. | 0 |
A tidal wave is coming.
Michael Moore, a liberal’s liberal who holds die-hard loyalty to Hillary Clinton, is acknowledging what everyone with a clear head recognizes: that she doesn’t even remotely connect with the average voter, doesn’t understand their problems – and above all, doesn’t care about them.
Although Moore can’t support Donald Trump, he seems to admire his ability to resonate with the actual problems that the people who formerly made up the middle class are going through – economic and otherwise. Moore, like Trump, understands the pulse of the people, though they differ in just about every other way.
This election represents a pivotal point, and an end of the line for the deal that people once held with their leaders. After decades of broken promises and deals to sell them short and sell them out, people have had enough.
THAT’S what this election is about.
Right or wrong, Trump represents a rebuke of the system – as Moore calls it, the ultimate “F––– You” ever directed at the system.
If you make this go viral, Trump will win. It’s 4 minutes that makes the choice in this election crystal clear. #EarlyVoting pic.twitter.com/UOgqSfet6a
— Jared Wyand (@JaredWyand) October 25, 2016
Here’s some of what he said in an epic rant (reportedly excerpted from his rush-election film Trumpland) that is strangely validating of Trump’s entire campaign:
Whether Trump means it or not, it’s kind of irrelevant because he’s saying the things that people who are hurting. And it’s why every beaten down, nameless, forgotten working stiff who used to be part of what was called the middle-class loves Trump.
“They’re not racists or rednecks, they’re actually pretty decent people. So, after talking to a number of them, I sort of wanted to sort of write this.”
[…]
Donald Trump came to the Detroit Economic Club and stood there in front of the Ford Motor executives and said: if you close these factories, as you are planning to do in Detroit, and rebuild them in Mexico, I am going to put a 35% tariff on those cars when you send them back and nobody’s going to buy them.
It was an amazing thing to see. No politician — Republican or Democrat — had ever said anything like that to these executives. It was music to the ears of people in Michigan and Ohio and Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The Brexit states. You live here in Ohio. You know what I am talking about.
He is the human Molotov cocktail that they have been waiting for. The human hand grenade that they can legally throw into the system that stole their lives from them. And on November 8th — Election Day — although they have lost their jobs. Although they’ve been foreclosed on by the bank. Next came the divorce and now the wife and kids are gone. The car’s been repossessed. They haven’t had a real vacation in years. They’re stuck with the shitty Obamacare bronze plan. They can’t even get a f**king percocet.
They have essentially lost everything they had…except one thing. The one thing that doesn’t cost them a cent and is guaranteed to them by the American Constitution: the right to vote.
[…] So, on November 8th, the dispossessed will walk into the voting booth, be handed a ballot, close the curtain, take that lever — or felt pen or touchscreen — and put a big f**king X in the box by the name of the man who has threatened to upend and overturn the very system that has ruined their lives: Donald J. Trump.
[…]
They see that the elites who have ruined their lives hate Trump.
Corporate America hates Trump. Wall Street hates Trump. The career politicians hate Trump. The Media hates Trump…
The enemy of my enemy is who I am voting for on November 8th.
Trump’s election is going to be the biggest F**K YOU ever recorded in human history.
And it will feel good.
What red-blooded American, working stiff or laid off schmo wouldn’t want to stick it to the establishment and rebuke the very system that brought them to this point? After all, it is their fault.
People have been hurting and in decline for eight long years – and for all his smiles and posturing, Obama hasn’t done a damned thing. And Hillary can’t even pretend.
The people who will be deciding the popular vote in this election want to take down that system and put someone in who will – once and for all – stand up for them. Basically, Americans want revenge.
What the electoral college decides is another matter altogether, of course.
Read more:
EPIC RANT: Fed Up American Explains Why Trump Will Win: “Somebody With Balls”
No One Can Stop Her… And She Knows It: “This Election Won’t Be Fair”
Protesters Rage Against the DNC: “Hillary Didn’t Get the Nomination. The Nomination Was Stolen”
“Free Speech Cage” Keeps Anti-Hillary Protesters Away From DNC Convention
Crowds Boo DNC Officials, As Party Revolts Against Hillary: “They’re Angry, They’re Upset”
| 0 |
Saudi Arabia says it has thwarted two ISIS terrorism plots concerning a bomb attack on a football stadium and killing police officers. 2 Shares
1 0 0 1
The Saudi Interior Ministry on Sunday announced that four men were arrested over plans to detonate a bomb at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium during or after an October 11 World Cup qualifier match against United Arab Emirates in the city of Jeddah. The suspects were arrested one day before the match which gathered over 60,000 fans.
“ISIS wants any operation that could result in the highest number of victims,” said interior ministry spokesman Major General Mansour al-Turki.
A security official, General Bassam Attiyah, said a vehicle carrying around 400 kilograms of explosives was found near the stadium. He added that the suspects had planned to either target people in the stadium’s parking lot or fans watching the match.
“Another equally horrifying scenario would have occurred,” he added, “had the device exploded whilst the spectators were exiting the stadium.”
He noted that the blast radius would have been something around 1,100 meters which would have covered an area of almost 800,000 square meters.
MORE... U.S. Commander John Nicholson: ISIS Attempting to Establish Khorasan Caliphate in Afghanistan ISIL executes Iraqi citizens listening to gov't radio Iraqi forces burn 16k m² ISIS poppy fields to curtail heroin and opium revenue ISIS executes 45 people southwest of Kirkuk A Saudi spokesman noted that securities had received information of the attack two days prior to the arrests.
“Tighter security measures were taken and more troops were deployed to ensure prompt and decisive action against any suspect or suspicious activity. Greater field work resulted in the identification and arrest of the suspects one day before the match,” he added.
The ministry also announced that a separate plot had been foiled in the capital Riyadh in which four people with links to ISIS were detained after evidence surfaced that they had been plotting to attack police officers. | 0 |
• ON AIR NOW: LISTEN LIVE Dollar Collapse/ JFK Assassination Dollar Collapse/ JFK Assassination Date Monday - November 21, 2016 Host George Noory
1st Half: Investment banker and risk manager James Rickards will discuss why he believes the coming collapse of the dollar and the international monetary system is entirely foreseeable, and what people can do to protect themselves.
2nd Half: Actor, author, and standup comedian Richard Belzer talks about the JFK assassination, the mysterious deaths of key witnesses, and the facts, truths, and fictions that surround one of the most controversial events in history. | 0 |
The most important issue for the United States economy in 2017 and beyond is whether it’s near its speed limit. It has taken eight years of glacial expansion, but the nation is closing in on what economists believe to be its full productive capacity. It’s nearing that level of activity in which nearly everybody who wants a job has one, and factories and offices are cranking at full speed. If the economy grows just 2. 5 percent this year, gross domestic product will reach the Congressional Budget Office’s estimate of the nation’s economic potential by the end of the year. If the Trump administration succeeds at achieving the 4 percent growth the president has said he seeks, we’ll be there by the Fourth of July. If there is in fact more room to grow beyond the budget office’s estimate of “potential G. D. P. ,” an economic boom remains possible. If there isn’t, higher growth will translate into inflation, not higher output and incomes. The question for the Trump administration, the Federal Reserve and every American who wants a higher paycheck is how much slack there really is in the economy. Economic slack takes the form of empty warehouses and office parks of machines that run eight hours a day when they were built to run for 12 and, most important, millions of Americans who might be coaxed to work in a booming economy but who aren’t even looking for a job now. If there is a lot of slack, then the Trump administration’s ambitious growth targets look more plausible, and the Fed should move slowly on raising interest rates so as not to choke off the expansion just as it’s getting going. If there’s not very much — if this is about the best the nation can expect to do — then either the Fed will raise rates more quickly to choke off growth or inflation will burst higher, or both. Astronomers can’t observe a black hole directly they can determine where one is only by measuring how it affects nearby matter. Potential output is similar. For all the apparent precision of reports from government agencies, potential G. D. P. isn’t something that can be directly measured. It’s a judgment based on other evidence. How big is the population of prime people, and how many of them would be expected to seek work? How low in the past has unemployment gone before inflation became a problem? What is the recent record of productivity growth? In assessing how close we are (or aren’t) to full capacity, it helps to look at America’s industrial parks and office complexes. The Federal Reserve watches the industrial sector by measuring what is called factory capacity utilization. American companies were operating factories at 75. 7 percent of their potential in January. That’s roughly the rate they’ve been at for the last five years. Experience suggests it could go higher. In the spring of 2007, the rate was 79. 5 percent. It was above 80 percent for the better part of the 1990s. In other words, the manufacturing sector would seem to have room to produce more stuff even without expanding factory floors or adding equipment. At Caterpillar, the giant maker of heavy equipment based in Peoria, Ill. Jim Umpleby, the chief executive, told analysts last month that, even as it closely managed costs, “we’re also preserving capacity for a potential increase in business whenever that comes. ” Economic slack is trickier to measure in the service sector good luck judging whether, say, an insurance company is operating below or at its full potential. But one window into it is the office vacancy rate. Nationwide, 15. 8 percent of office space was vacant in the final months of 2016, according to the real estate information firm Reis. That was down from a recent high of 17. 6 percent in 2011 — but could still have room to fall. In the last expansion, it fell as low as 12. 5 percent, implying that millions of square feet of offices are sitting idle, ready for workers to fill them. “Vacancy has fallen, but there are still some large blocks of space out there,” said John Ferguson, president of the Southeast division of the commercial real estate firm CBRE. “A tenant can typically find a solution if they need to, even if it’s not perfect for the long term. ” One thing to keep an eye on: Development of new office space has been relatively depressed since the 2008 recession, which raises the possibility that the remaining vacant space could be filled up quickly with little new supply arriving to fulfill the demand. Mr. Ferguson sees it in Atlanta, where he is based, and in other Southern cities like Nashville and Charlotte, N. C. “In the last cycle 10 years ago, there were six new office towers added in Buckhead,” Mr. Ferguson said, referring to an affluent Atlanta neighborhood. “In this cycle, there’s one. ” The biggest factor that will determine how much room the United States economy has to grow is the supply of workers. The unemployment rate is the most common measure of slack in the labor market, and it suggests that full employment has very nearly arrived: The 4. 8 percent unemployment rate is roughly what Fed officials believe is the rate that won’t provoke inflation, and not far from the 4. 4 percent low in the last expansion. But there are important wrinkles. Millions of Americans left the labor force entirely in the aftermath of the last recession. And there are “missing” workers, people who do not count as unemployed because they are not looking for a job but might be available to work — and contribute to G. D. P. — if things were rosier. To people who work on employment issues, there is both good news and bad. “A third to a half of the people on the sidelines, it wouldn’t take much to employ tomorrow,” said Stefani Pashman, chief executive of Partner4Work, a work force development group in the Pittsburgh area. “The other half are much tougher to employ,” often facing challenges from drug use, criminal records and transience. That would seem to support the idea that there are meaningful numbers of workers out there — but not an unlimited number. The Economic Policy Institute calculates that there are 1. 85 million missing workers. In all these areas, the evidence points to an economy not being quite on the verge of overheating, but also not offering huge potential for growth. Perhaps the best argument for policy makers to be cautious about putting the brakes on economic growth with rapid Fed interest rate increases is how much we don’t know about why growth has been so disappointing over the past several years. Here’s a weighty fact: In 2007, the Congressional Budget Office published projections of potential G. D. P. that assumed the United States would grow around 2. 7 percent a year for the ensuing decade. It didn’t. Growth in both the labor force and worker productivity underperformed those projections. So the reality we’re living in underperforms that theoretical potential by $2. 2 trillion, or 14 percent. One possibility of what went wrong is that the damage of the deep 2008 recession had lasting effects, both pulling some Americans out of the work force and causing businesses to underinvest in innovations. Weak demand for goods and services damaged the capacity of the economy, producing a vicious cycle. If officials at the Fed and in the Trump administration try to run the economy a little hot — to keep pursuing faster growth even as the economy gets close to or above potential G. D. P. — it would be a chance to do the reverse, to create a virtuous cycle. Trying it carries risks of its own — of inflation, and perhaps new financial bubbles. The alternative is to take the world we’ve been living in as an immutable fact of life, and get used to it. | 1 |
London’s Metropolitan Police have named Youssef Zaghba as the third attacker, just hours after they announced the release all 12 suspects arrested in connection to Saturday’s terror attack at London Bridge. [Moroccan origin Youssef Zaghba, a Italian passport holder is understood to have been the third man shot dead by police marksmen on Saturday evening as they rampaged in London Bridge, armed with knives and wearing fake suicide vests. Scotland Yard said in a statement: While formal identification is yet to take place, detectives believe he is Youssef Zaghba, from east London. The deceased’s family have been informed. He is believed to be an Italian national of Moroccan descent. He was not a police or MI5 subject of interest. All three #LondonBridge #BoroughMarket attackers now named by police. Please contact us with any info about these men https: . pic. twitter. — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 6, 2017, Scotland Yard, the headquarters of London’s police and the national counterterrorism coordination force also announced Monday evening that they had released 12 individuals arrested in connection with the attack, as news of the identities of two of the killers was released by officers. The total fatalities stand at seven, and three attackers shot dead by armed police, with dozens more injured — some in critical condition. The total fatalities stand at seven, and three attackers shot dead by armed police, with dozens more injured — some in critical condition. While another suspect has been arrested Tuesday morning, a 27 year old from Barking, those released Monday evening were listed as: [A] woman arrested at address 1 in Barking[B] man arrested at address 2 in Barking[C] man arrested at address 2 in Barking[D] man arrested at address 2 in Barking[E] man arrested at address 2 in Barking[F] man arrested at address 2 in Barking,[G] woman arrested at address 2 in Barking[H] woman arrested at address 2 in Barking[I] woman arrested at address 2 in Barking[J] female arrested at address 2 in Barking[K] female arrested at address 2 in Barking[L] woman arrested at address 2 in Barking. | 1 |
If passed in its current form, the GOP’s Obamacare 2. 0 bill will impose brutal costs Americans still struggling to make it through a great recession — particularly President Donald Trump’s base — and risk handing Congress and the presidency back to Democrats. [1) The bill’s provisions increase healthcare costs for Trump voters in critical states. As an analysis conducted by the Washington Post shows, voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin will see their tax credits decrease under Obamacare 2. 0. “If you’re a making $75, 000 a year, you’re going to get a 75 percent or higher increase to your tax credits — a beneficial situation for you,” the Post explains. “If, however, you’re a making $30, 000 a year, you’re going to see a reduction in those tax credits (unless you live in Upstate New York or Massachusetts or parts of central Texas). ” In other words, senior citizens — who vote regularly in elections — will see their healthcare costs increase under the Republicans’ bill. Plus, Obamacare 2. 0 phases out credits for people who start earning more than $75, 000. Why? Because screw the voters and they’re on their own? What a great message to send to the middle class! Not only are Republicans hurting people struggling to make ends meet, they also punish you if you make too much money. Everyone loses, except perhaps insurance companies. 2) Meanwhile, the bill is “a gift to illegal aliens,” as conservative author Daniel Horowitz writes. Illegals can get health care through identity theft and fraud, because Obamacare 2. 0 makes it impossible to check enrollees’ immigration status. The bill incentivizes further illegal immigration by encouraging illegals to come to the U. S. to cut into programs meant for citizens. Poll after poll shows Trump’s immigration policies prioritizing Americans and their problems over foreigners and their wants are hugely popular with voters. Giving away health care to illegals, while ramping up the price for Trump’s core voters, is a slap in the face. 3) Obamacare 2. 0 will be labeled as “Trumpcare,” and Democrats and their media allies will highlight every hard case to attack Republicans for hurting the poor and elderly. Remember when a progressive group put out an ad showing Paul Ryan pushing a grandma in a wheelchair off a cliff? Obamacare 2. 0 gives the media and the Democrats a golden opportunity to walk away from their healthcare mess and blame Republicans, and amplify that message endlessly. 4) Republicans kicked things off with horrific messaging. In a condescending statement, Utah Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz told Americans they’ll have to “invest” in their health care instead of getting a new iPhone. “Americans have choices,” he said on CNN. “And they’ve got to make a choice. And so, maybe rather than getting that new iPhone that they just love and they want to go spend hundreds of dollars on, maybe they should invest it in their own health care. They’ve got to make those decisions for themselves. ” Being forced to buy a product that doesn’t deliver adequate care and keeps increasing in price year after year isn’t an “investment,” for one. pointed out that Chaffetz was mocking poor people who get blindsided by a health crisis: “If families make the wrong series of choices, forcing them to choose between their health and their finances, that’s on them. How’s that for a winning message?” The Huffington Post immediately splashed a photo of Chaffetz pointing his finger at the viewer: Chaffetz later walked back his comments, but the damage was done. They sound especially bad in light of Obamacare 2. 0’s “continuous coverage” provision. 5) The arbitrary and crushing penalty for not enrolling during the period will hurt financially struggling voters already fighting to stay afloat. As Avik Roy writes in Forbes, the “continuous coverage” part inflicts a massive cost increase on those who go without paying for a plan for more than 63 days. “Worse still, the bill contains an arbitrary ‘continuous coverage’ provision, in which those who sign up for coverage outside of the normal open enrollment period would pay a 30 percent surcharge to the normal insurance premium,” Roy writes. And you have to pay this for an entire year — which will not go over well with people struggling to pay for rent, for childcare, for student loans. In other words, it’s not enough to pay a penalty if you forget to sign up for your Obamacare 2. 0 in time or choose to forgo insurance altogether. No, you have to pay 30 percent more, on top of rising costs, for a whole year. How is this supposed to help, say, parents with three kids paying a large monthly premium (not counting eye and dental, of course) with a high deductible? 6) This bill is going to unleash the kind of political fury on Republicans that will elect Elizabeth Warren in 2020. Part of what killed Hillary Clinton’s campaign was voters getting their massive Obamacare premium increases in the mail in October. Republicans seem eager to inflict that kind of fatal damage on themselves. The explosive reaction to Obamacare launched the Tea Party in 2010 and swept Republicans into Congress during the elections of 2014. The Left is furious and energetic under Trump. The 2018 midterm elections are right around the corner, and Democrats are going to launch a holy war against Trump during the 2020 election. The Left will rally around Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other progressives and portray the Democrats as the party of the forgotten man. The white, working class gave Trump a chance in 2016. They could easily begin voting Democratic again or drop out of the political process altogether after a healthcare betrayal. 7) It destroys political capital desperately needed for the rest of Trump’s first term, particularly immigration reform. Trump’s election victory wasn’t a election. It was or . Republicans have one, brief chance to correct the course the U. S. is heading down and bind up all of the wounds inflicted on Americans over the decades. There is a small window to end the era of cheap labor, low wages, mass immigration, communities, family disintegration, drug addiction, and suicide. Will Republicans take it and secure their party’s dominance for the next 50 years? Or will they throw it away? Sixty percent of adults are “hopeful and optimistic” about America’s future. That’s a precious opportunity, one that shouldn’t be wasted. “The issue now is about Americans looking to not get f — ed over. If we deliver, we’ll get 60 percent of the white vote, and 40 percent of the black and Hispanic vote and we’ll govern for 50 years,” White House Chief strategist Steve Bannon said during a November interview. “That’s what the Democrats missed … They lost sight of what the world is about. ” Will Trump continue to support Obamacare 2. 0 despite conservative and populist dissent? Read a series of articles on how to fix the U. S. healthcare system once and for all here. Email Katie at kmchugh@breitbart. com. | 1 |
0 17 1 0 The proposed merger between AT&T and Time Warner would concentrate too much power in one media company and should be blocked by regulators, US Senator Bernie Sanders said in a letter to Acting Assistant US Attorney General Renata Hesse on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Friday, AT&T announced plans to acquire Time Warner for $84.5 billion. The deal would include Timer Warner’s popular brands HBO and CNN, and force other distributors to negotiate with AT&T for programming licenses. © REUTERS/ Brendan McDermid/Files "This merger represents a gross concentration of power that runs counter to the public good and should be blocked," Sanders wrote to Hesse, who heads the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division.
Sanders argued the proposed merger would shrink the media landscape and stifle competition in the United States.
Sanders explained that the plan would give AT&T control over both content and distribution, which he alleged would give the company less incentive to provide additional choices to consumers.
The merger has to be approved by the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and other US federal regulators. ... | 0 |
Innocent... | 0 |
Democratic and Republican leaders on Wednesday renewed their fitful efforts to impose greater order on a freewheeling presidential race and to bring to heel a pair of political renegades, Senator Bernie Sanders and Donald J. Trump, whose upstart campaigns have roiled the political establishment. For Democrats impatient to rally around Hillary Clinton as their presumptive nominee, Mr. Sanders has lingered as an obstacle so stubborn and frustrating that only President Obama’s intervention might dislodge him soon. Mr. Obama is expected to meet with Mr. Sanders in Washington on Thursday and increase the pressure on the irascible Vermonter to defer to Mrs. Clinton. Mr. Obama, White House aides said, intends to nudge Mr. Sanders toward embracing her, stressing that Mr. Sanders can further his policy agenda while unifying the party to defeat Mr. Trump in November. The White House strategy will culminate with the president’s formal endorsement of Mrs. Clinton in the coming days, followed by an appearance with her on the campaign trail soon after. But leaders in both parties are approaching Mr. Sanders and Mr. Trump gingerly, fearful that tactics might foster resentment. Each man is essentially being asked to shed part of his core political persona in the interest of party unity. For Mr. Sanders to step away from the roaring crowd, or for Mr. Trump to back away from a televised brawl, would represent a wrenching departure from form. Mindful of that, Democrats want to ease Mr. Sanders from the race without alienating his supporters. In a taped appearance for “The Tonight Show” that will air Thursday night, Mr. Obama praised Mr. Sanders, saying he brought “enormous energy” and “new ideas” to the campaign, making Mrs. Clinton better. “My hope is over the next couple weeks we’re able to pull things together,” the president said. Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. said, “We should be a little graceful and give him the opportunity to decide on his own. ” Republicans face a thornier challenge in grappling with Mr. Trump, whose inflammatory comments and slapdash campaign style have alarmed party leaders throughout the race. Since securing his spot as the presumptive Republican nominee, he has made only transient efforts to impose discipline on his campaign and turn toward courting mainstream general election voters. Mr. Trump appeared briefly chastened on Tuesday night, delivering a prepared victory speech free of vulgarity or racial attacks. But he quickly reverted to a more improvisational style, complaining in multiple interviews that Republicans had been wrong to criticize him for denouncing a federal judge because of his Hispanic heritage. Still, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan assured colleagues in a conference on Wednesday that he remained supportive of Mr. Trump’s candidacy. Mr. Ryan had criticized him this week for using “racist” language in criticizing Gonzalo P. Curiel, a United States District Court judge overseeing litigation involving Mr. Trump. Mr. Ryan told lawmakers that he continued to believe Mr. Trump represented the party’s best chance to enact its agenda, said Brendan Buck, a spokesman for Mr. Ryan. But Mr. Ryan, he said in an email, “also told them he’ll continue to speak out necessary to protect our identity as a party. ” Steering carefully between Mr. Sanders and Mr. Trump is Mrs. Clinton, who praised Mr. Sanders and his supporters with her victory speech on Tuesday night, while delivering an aggressive denunciation of Mr. Trump that doubled as a sales pitch for the general election. Allies of Mrs. Clinton said on Wednesday that they were confident Mr. Sanders would come around in time, and that the broad message she had outlined for the fall campaign would suffice to win over doubters on the left. Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, a Democrat who campaigned for Mrs. Clinton in California, predicted that the urgency of fighting Mr. Trump would bring the party together and ease the hurt feelings from the nominating contest. “This is definitely a crisis moment,” Mr. Garcetti said. “People come together in crises, and Donald Trump is that crisis. ” Mr. Sanders has given no indication that he will end his campaign before the July convention in Philadelphia, though he collected far too few delegates to threaten Mrs. Clinton’s nomination in a floor fight. Facing a stinging defeat in the California primary on Tuesday, Mr. Sanders responded with defiance. He declined to acknowledge that Mrs. Clinton had won enough delegates to capture the nomination and vowed to keep campaigning in the District of Columbia, which votes next week. There have been a few early attempts at diplomacy: Their campaign managers, Robby Mook and Jeff Weaver, spoke on Tuesday, and the Clinton campaign has been in direct contact with elected officials backing Mr. Sanders. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, the lone senator to back Mr. Sanders, said he was in close contact with Mrs. Clinton’s advisers and declared it time to close ranks for the general election. “I will absolutely support our Democratic nominee, and that nominee is Hillary Clinton,” Mr. Merkley said in a telephone interview, “and I’ll keep working with her and her team in support of the ideas that Bernie Sanders put forward. ” Liberal activists aligned with the Sanders campaign have begun to inch away from his tenacious bid. Several members of Congress and two prominent advocacy groups on the left, MoveOn. org and Democracy for America, said on Wednesday that they would line up behind Mrs. Clinton as the candidate who has won the most pledged delegates. Mr. Sanders offered no immediate response to the signs that his core liberal coalition might be faltering. Activists on the right have had even less success at applying pressure to Mr. Trump. Republicans have repeatedly pleaded and cajoled Mr. Trump to run a more professional campaign, reflecting greater attentiveness to rules of political and social decorum. Mr. Trump has essentially disregarded those demands and charted his own course as an insurgent candidate with a skeleton crew of campaign staff. A new test of Mr. Trump’s campaign begins on Thursday as the candidate and his top aides embark on their most concerted push yet to win over big Republican donors. On Thursday, 70 donors are to meet at Trump Tower in New York, followed by lunch at the Four Seasons hotel. Mr. Trump is expected to attend both the meeting and the lunch, and to proceed to a event in Richmond, Va. on Friday. It is unclear which version of Mr. Trump is likely to show up. After delivering a conventionally victory speech on Tuesday, Mr. Trump returned to Twitter the next morning to attack the hosts of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” for covering him unfavorably. Hours later, an aide to Mr. Trump called for barring a conservative radio host, Hugh Hewitt, from the Republican convention because of his criticism of Mr. Trump. And even as his efforts have intensified, Mr. Trump has resisted making phone calls to donors to solicit funds. Edward F. Cox, the chairman of the New York Republican Party, said the party was grappling with unprecedented circumstances, brought about by the elevation of an untrained outsider unlike any presidential nominee in memory. Mr. Trump, he said, faced unusual pressure to build up his political operation and coordinate a message with Mr. Ryan. Mr. Cox noted major opportunities coming up for Mr. Trump to reintroduce himself to voters and move on from his attacks on Mr. Curiel. “You’re going to be looking to the naming of a candidate, you’re going to have an acceptance speech,” Mr. Cox said, “and this issue is going to be a very minor one. ” | 1 |
KERNERSVILLE, N. C. — An unusual coalition of largely older and conservative former military men and younger, law students are waging a joint campaign for one of the most unlikely causes: clemency for troops convicted of killing civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan. They want to push President Obama to reduce sentences and grant pardons for seven convicted war criminals, ranging from a private who followed an order to shoot unarmed detainees, to the more case of Robert Bales, an Army staff sergeant sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of 16 Afghan civilians in 2012. The campaign started with Herbert Donahue, a retired Marine Corps major, and his tiny organization called United American Patriots, tucked in a quiet office park here. Mr. Donahue says he was called to his work by his own war experience. In 44 months in Vietnam as a Marine rifleman, he was shot twice, bloodied by a mortar shell and had most of his teeth smashed out in a helicopter crash. But he declined three Purple Hearts because anyone formally recognized for being wounded that often was sent home from the war zone. “I know what combat is, I’ve seen the beast a thousand times,” Mr. Donahue, 72, said as he looked at the Silver Star, Bronze Star and other military honors on his office wall. “It can be real murky. Sometimes, you don’t have the luxury of making a moral decision. ” Recently, he gained an unexpected ally. A team of University of Chicago Law School students formed a group focused on helping convicted troops, called the Combat Clemency Project. “I don’t pretend to know anything about the military for me it is about mercy,” said Eamonn Hart, 29, a law student who was raised by what he called “lefty, ‘60s activist parents” who took him to protests of the invasion of Iraq. The students are focusing on the mental health conditions of those convicted and other mitigating circumstances. For 10 years, Mr. Donahue had become accustomed to working largely alone. United American Patriots has paid for lawyers, family visits and other support, arguing that troops under intense pressure in combat zones are often unfairly judged and given harsh sentences because the public has sanitized and unrealistic expectations of war. Few military colleagues have backed Mr. Donahue and some have openly called him a traitor. The public response to donation requests had been so cool that at one point Mr. Donahue mortgaged his house to keep the operation going. But in 2015 the lawyer of one of the soldiers contacted the University of Chicago, and sparked the interest of students in the legal aid clinic, who then reached out to Mr. Donahue. “I didn’t think much of it when they first called me, because they are just a bunch of damn liberals,” he said. “But I have to commend the students, they have gone above and beyond. ” This spring, one of the students, Mr. Hart, submitted a clemency petition for Corey Clagett, a former Army private who pleaded guilty to shooting two unarmed detainees in Iraq in 2006 — killings that an Army investigation found were ordered by Mr. Clagett’s staff sergeant. The staff sergeant, Raymond Girouard, was also convicted in the killings, but his case was dismissed on appeal. He was given back pay and discharged under honorable conditions after serving three and a half years in prison. Mr. Clagett was sentenced to 18 years. As part of the project, United American Patriots paid for Mr. Hart and other students to fly to Fort Leavenworth, Kan. to interview the prisoners. “Before that, I didn’t understand how confusing things were on the ground in Iraq, how arbitrary the brutality was,” Mr. Hart said. The students and United American Patriots approach the issue differently. United American Patriots says troops sometimes are held to unfair standards by senior officers who know little about combat. “In Vietnam I was supposed to radio in to ask permission every time I opened fire, but there wasn’t time,” Mr. Donahue said. “So after my second patrol, I never called back to request permission until I was sitting on a mountain of bodies. Today, you couldn’t do that. It’s gotten so a guy has to have a lawyer in the foxhole next to him. If I had it the way guys do today, I’d have been a thousand times. ” The law school group, led by Mark Heyrman of the school’s legal aid clinic, is reluctant to embrace that argument and is looking instead toward issues like mental health. “We agree on the bottom line, that soldiers are being excessively punished,” Mr. Heyrman said. “The concern is that United American Patriots are trying to say we should go back to the way we did it in Vietnam. I don’t know if that is a winning public message. ” Mr. Heyrman, who worked with Mr. Obama when he was a law professor at the University of Chicago, said he doubted that argument would work with the president. For both groups mercy has its limits. They chose not to be advocates of troops convicted of premeditated crimes that combined rape and murder. But after some debate they decided to urge leniency for Mr. Bales despite his guilty plea to 16 killings in a small village. “Friends of mine pushed back saying, ‘How can you represent this guy when there are innocent people who could use your help?’ I have honestly questioned my own involvement,” said Michael Lockman, 31, a law student who wrote the clemency petition for Mr. Bales. “But when you really start to learn about some of these cases, there is a clear case for mercy. The man had clear mental health issues the Army knew about but chose to ignore. There is shared responsibility for his crime. ” The Army determined the sergeant had stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury after his third combat deployment in 2010, then deployed him to Afghanistan where his symptoms worsened and he massacred villagers he suspected of harboring insurgents. Mr. Lockman is asking the president to reduce Mr. Bales’s sentence to 100 years, which would make him eligible for parole in 2023. Both Mr. Donahue and the students admit the push is a long shot. Few in the public appear to support revisiting cases in which troops killed unarmed civilians. A Whitehouse. gov petition the students created seeking 100, 000 signatures has so far garnered only about 2, 100. And Mr. Obama has given no indication he considers the sentences unjust. Even so, there is some precedent for reducing military sentences. After World War II, the War Department set up a clemency board that commuted sentences in 85 percent of thousands of serious cases it reviewed from the war. During Vietnam, a number of young men sentenced to life in prison for killings later had their sentences reduced to only a few years by similar boards. Even the most notorious massacre of Vietnam, in the village of My Lai, prompted calls for forgiveness from the American public for Lt. William Calley, the who was sentenced to life in prison for ordering the killings (the only one of the 26 soldiers and officers charged who was convicted). Telegrams sent to the White House urging clemency outnumbered those opposing it by a ratio of 100 to 1, and supporters on both sides of the debate over the war staged sympathy marches and other protests across the country. “It’s too bad that one man is being made to pay for the brutality of the whole war,” Benjamin Spock, the famous pediatrician turned war protester, said at the time. In response, President Richard M. Nixon moved the lieutenant from prison to house arrest pending a review of the case. The secretary of the Army reduced Lieutenant Calley’s sentence to 10 years, and he was paroled after three. In all, he spent only a few weeks behind bars. That there is not the same broad outcry for the release of troops convicted of murder today is in part a mark of progress, said Gary Solis, a former Marine Corps prosecutor who teaches the law of military conflict at George Washington University. “The public doesn’t see it as an issue because we don’t have the number of crimes we did in Vietnam, and the crimes aren’t as bad,” he said. “We have much better training and a much better force. ” Though the Pentagon does not keep count of cases that could be considered war crimes, he said, Iraq and Afghanistan produced only a few dozen cases that might qualify, while Vietnam led to hundreds. Even so, the vexing nature of a war in which the enemy is hard to identify can turn snap misjudgments of troops into harsh sentences, the students said. Sgt. Derrick Miller, a National Guard soldier with exemplary performance reviews, has served four years of a life sentence for shooting an Afghan civilian he believed was an insurgent. During his third combat deployment, Sergeant Miller became suspicious of a civilian who entered his base saying he was there to do repairs. Fearing an attack, he interrogated the man. Sergeant Miller was convicted of putting a gun to the man’s head when he considered his story to be inconsistent, telling him to tell the truth, then shooting him. “He killed someone. I don’t want to minimize that what he did was wrong,” said Kayla Gamin, 29, a law student who wrote a clemency petition asking that the soldier’s premeditated murder conviction be reduced to voluntary manslaughter, which would make him eligible for parole. “But given the confusion, maybe his actions were understandable. I think he was sincerely trying to protect his men. Should that kind of person spend his life in prison?” In March, Mr. Clagett, the former Army private, was released on parole after 10 years, in large part because United American Patriots paid for a private lawyer. The day he got out of prison, United American Patriots offered him a job. “I do mostly outreach, tell my story,” Mr. Clagett said on a recent afternoon as he moved into his new office. “I let people know these things aren’t always and often it’s the guy who gets blamed. ” | 1 |
Subscribe
On Friday, FBI Director James Comey told Congress that his agency had discovered emails that could potentially be related to the flap over Hillary Clinton’s email server. In the 24 hours since then, most of the discussion hasn’t been over the emails, but over whether Comey acted appropriately when he made this disclosure. Well, a front page story in Sunday morning’s edition of The New York Times reveals that Comey’s bosses at the Justice Department believed this letter was manifestly improper .
The reason? Comey’s letter risked running afoul of a longstanding DOJ policy that strongly discourages commenting on politically sensitive investigations within 60 days of an election. It is a policy that has been maintained by both Democratic and Republican administrations in order to avoid even the appearance of partisanship. We can all agree, however, that if there is any case for an exception, it would be if there was a potentially earth-shaking development in a politically-charged investigation.
But based on what has emerged since Friday, Comey’s letter didn’t even begin to meet that standard. According to The Times, the FBI is in the process of getting court permission to review emails it seized from the laptop of longtime Hillary aide Huma Abedin while investigating her estranged husband, former congressman Anthony Weiner, for sexting with a North Carolina teenager. Investigators don’t know as of yet whether those emails contain classified information, or whether it even potentially rose to the level of criminal misconduct. Additionally, there is virtually no chance that such a review will be complete before the election.
That explains why Comey’s draft letter, which was prepared on Thursday, sent eyebrows into hairlines at the DOJ. According to CNN, department staffers told Comey that Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates opposed sending the letter . They told Comey in no uncertain terms that under the circumstances, the letter ran counter to the longstanding policy about politically sensitive investigations. However, according to The Times, Comey believed that the emails would almost certainly be leaked–and the FBI would be accused of misleading Congress.
However, a number of former DOJ officials think Comey made an egregious blunder. I already told you that Matthew Miller, the former chief spokesman for the DOJ under Lynch’s predecessor, Eric Holder, condemned the letter in the strongest terms on Friday. But Comey has been condemned by veterans of Republican administrations as well. One of them, George Terwilliger III, the deputy attorney general for the last two years of the George H. W. Bush administration, was particularly baffled by Comey’s move. Terwilliger said that while the guidelines on politically sensitive investigations can make for “hard decisions” at times, there was “a difference between flying independent and flying solo.”
Kurt Eichenwald of Vanity Fair and Newsweek revealed on Twitter that a number of FBI agents are up in arms over this letter as well. Word from inside @FBI . FURIOUS at Comey, think he's mishandled public revelations from get go. "Outrageous incompetence" one agent told me.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) October 29, 2016 If Comey doesn't get ahead of this, going to have a mutiny at @FBI . "This is why u say 'We dont talk about investigations'" one told me….
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) October 29, 2016 …his original decision to lay out info on clinton case, then opine on what it meant outside of criminal findings, infuriated these folks..
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) October 29, 2016 Re: anger within @FBI at Comey. I am getting this at the Special Agent, ASAC and SAC level. Those are the troops. (Most of em GOPrs)….
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) October 29, 2016 …for Comey to have so angered ppl at the field office level is really, really bad.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) October 29, 2016 If Comey's improper comment on ongoing investigation changes polls, @FBI reputation as apolitical will never recover cause of his screwup.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) October 29, 2016
Based on what we now know, this anger is easy to understand. Apparently Comey was so worried about the potential fallout that he felt compelled to brief Congress before his people even knew whether there was any there there, let alone before getting a court to allow them to find out what was in those emails. If that’s the case, then Comey’s judgment appears curious at best. You would think the FBI would be able to keep a lid on an investigation this explosive.
Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, suggested that the Donald forced Comey’s hand . If Comey was so afraid of being the victim of a Twitter attack from Trump and his alt-right army that it felt the need to throw fundamental fairness and time-honored precedent out the window, as well as leave his own agents on an island, then there is something fundamentally wrong.
( featured image courtesy FBI Flickr feed, part of public domain) About Darrell Lucus
Darrell is a 30-something graduate of the University of North Carolina who considers himself a journalist of the old school. An attempt to turn him into a member of the religious right in college only succeeded in turning him into the religious right's worst nightmare--a charismatic Christian who is an unapologetic liberal. His desire to stand up for those who have been scared into silence only increased when he survived an abusive three-year marriage. You may know him on Daily Kos as Christian Dem in NC . Follow him on Twitter @DarrellLucus or connect with him on Facebook . Click here to buy Darrell a Mello Yello. Connect | 0 |
Sports Rumors Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao Rematch Will Be A Disappointment, To Be Staged Just For Money?
Manny Pacquiao caused quite a stir following his stirring win over Jesse Vargas earlier this month. It was, however, the presence of Floyd Mayweather Jr. at ringside that all the more ramped up rematch rumors. Is it actually possible?
By Comment
Manny Pacquiao caused quite a stir following his stirring win over Jesse Vargas earlier this month. It was, however, the presence of Floyd Mayweather Jr. at ringside that all the more ramped up rematch rumors. Is it actually possible?
As most know, the ghost of the first Pacquiao vs. Mayweather encounter is still in the air and most believe it will remain the same. For the benefit of those who have forgotten, Mayweather will defend and run while Pacquiao will try to pin down the undefeated American boxer. Profit is the only reason for a rematch.
Many are aware that the first encounter between Pacquiao and Mayweather was pretty lucrative. Unfortunately most feel that they didn’t get their money’s worth. A rematch will still be the same though the earnings may dip slightly.
Also read: Manny Pacquiao Wanted To Show Floyd Mayweather He Deserves A Rematch
Such is shared by Jim Lampley, a prominent blow-by-blow announced. He believes that it will be nothing more than to rip-off patrons once again and urged most to push for a Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez showdown instead.
“There’s a decent chance Triple G-Canelo can take place in [2017]. So, it would be a shame, and another loss for boxing, if casual fans and the general public were distracted by a for-profit-only replay of a considerably less interesting fight,” Lampley said via Forbes.com . Rematch means more to Pacquiao than Mayweather’s record chase.
Money aside, Pacquiao is looking to avenge his loss and prove that Mayweather is not that invincible. For Mayweather, it is the perfect chance to become the only undefeated boxer with 50 wins.
Also read: Fantasy Boxing Match Happening Soon?
Right now, Mayweather is content being a promoter even as Pacquiao has added more responsibility as a senator. Compared to Golovkin and Alvarez, that too may be another point worth taking, Boxing News 24 reported.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out but unless Mayweather says so, a Pacquiao sequel will be nothing more than a rumor at least for now.
Also read: Manny Pacquiao vs Mayweather 2016 Rematch – Fight Confirmed By Both Pacquiao And Mayweather?
Liked this story? Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more updates on America. Continue Reading You may also like... | 0 |
It seemed like an innocent enough announcement: Michael Strahan, the former football player turned television personality, was shifting assignments on ABC’s morning lineup, the network said Tuesday. He would leave “Live With Kelly and Michael” in September to become a on “Good Morning America. ” But there was rancor behind the scenes. Mr. Strahan’s Kelly Ripa, was told of the move just minutes before the announcement, and felt blindsided, said a person who has spoken to her about ABC’s decision. And she made little attempt to conceal her displeasure, skipping Wednesday’s edition on “Live. ” ABC said she would not appear on the show for the rest of the week and would be replaced by Erin Andrews. Ms. Ripa’s absence Wednesday forced Mr. Strahan into the awkward position of addressing the news of his departure with a guest host, Ana Gasteyer, a former “Saturday Night Live” cast member. After Mr. Strahan and Ms. Gasteyer danced their way to the hosts’ desk on the “Live” set, Mr. Strahan said, “I’ve been in the news lately,” before formally announcing that he was leaving. For ABC, what was supposed to be a boost to its morning lineup is instead developing into a giant headache with one of its most prominent stars. Ms. Ripa, who joined the show in 2001, replacing Kathy Lee Gifford, has developed a loyal following of her own. In addition to Ms. Ripa’s apparent displeasure, “Good Morning America” is also presenting the network with cause for concern. Though it remains the morning show, it’s down 10 percent in total viewers and 18 percent in the demographic important to advertisers. It is second in that age bracket to NBC’s “Today,” a show that experienced its own ratings difficulties four years ago when it botched Ann Curry’s departure. When Mr. Strahan does join “Good Morning America” in a role in September, he will be accustomed to the surroundings. He began as an correspondent for “Good Morning America” two years ago, a decision that Ms. Ripa expressed concerns about at the time, according to the person. Ms. Ripa was worried it would distract him from “Live” but was reassured it would only be a temporary position. Mr. Strahan continued to appear on the morning show, and ABC executives recently decided that bringing him into the “Good Morning America” lineup could help stem the ratings drop. After “Live” ended on Tuesday morning, Ms. Ripa was called to a meeting along with the show’s longtime producer, Michael Gelman, and the WABC general manager, Dave Davis (the show is produced by WABC, and it is distributed by ABC and Disney’s syndication group). She did not know the purpose of the meeting. After a wait, Mr. Strahan entered the room and broke the news that he was leaving. It wasn’t long before tensions flared. “Didn’t I tell you this was going to happen?” Ms. Ripa said to Mr. Davis at the meeting, according to the person. “I told you two years ago this was going to happen. ” A few minutes after the meeting ended, ABC publicly announced Mr. Strahan’s departure. Ms. Ripa later let the network know she would not appear on Wednesday. Ms. Ripa was angry, this person said, because she perceived that “Good Morning America” was being given priority over “Live. ” Ms. Ripa declined to comment. Ms. Ripa was similarly caught off guard in 2011 when Regis Philbin informed her 20 minutes before show time that he was going to announce his departure on that edition of “Live. ” After Mr. Philbin left the show, “Live” began an open casting call to replace him, cycling in more than a dozen potential to sit beside Ms. Ripa. After 10 months, ABC selected Mr. Strahan, who is also a commentator on Fox’s N. F. L. pregame show. In a statement, an ABC spokeswoman said: “‘Live’ continues to be a vibrant and enduring franchise under our lead host, the extraordinarily talented Kelly Ripa. ‘Live’ has successfully transitioned twice before and will do so again. Together with Kelly, ABC and the ‘Live’ team will begin a new search to find a replacement for Michael. ” It appears that Ms. Ripa’s absence will be an extended one: “Live” is not scheduled to shoot on Friday and she had already arranged to take Monday off for a long weekend to celebrate her 20thwedding anniversary, the person said. Friday’s show will be taped on Thursday, so Ms. Andrews will appear for the next two editions of “Live. ” Ms. Ripa will be replaced by the “Pretty Little Liars” actress Shay Mitchell on Monday, an ABC spokeswoman said. | 1 |
November 25, 2016 - Fort Russ News - RusVesna - translated by J. Arnoldski -
The Syrian Army is breaking through the defenses of terrorist gangs in eastern Aleppo and new neighborhoods have been liberated.
Following several days of fierce firefights with jihadist bandits, Syrian troops have occupied new neighborhoods in the Hananu district, which since 2012 has been a stronghold of armed gangs in eastern Aleppo. In addition, the Syrian Arab Army has taken control of the Jabal-Badro district.
On Thursday, government troops liberated more than half of the Hananu district as a result of a rapid offensive in northeastern Aleppo. Active support was provided by the air force and artillery.
Led by the elite Tiger Forces, the SAA took full control of the Hananu fire station, post office, an orphanage, the Farooq and Omar Ibn al-Khattab mosques, the industrial zone, marriage registration department, and also a number of residential buildings.
The SAA forces assaulting the area are facing down terrorists from the Jebhat al Fath ash-Sham grouping, formerly known as Jebhat al-Nusra.
Earlier, Syrian troops occupied the important Tell Zuhur hill, which gave them a decisive advantage. Control over the top of the hill east of the Hananu district has allowed government forces to observe enemy activity and direct shelling deep into the district.
After dark on Thursday evening, fierce clashes continued in the area as the gangs attempted to strengthen their new line of defense.
The SAA, Tiger Force, and Palestinian militia brigades from Al-Quds are continuing their offensive on militant positions.
The seizure of the Hananu district will open the road to the neighboring districts of eastern Aleppo held by the Islamists for government and allied forces.
According to reports from frontline sources, the Syrian army and Palestinian Al-Quds militia have successfully managed to clear a large part of the Jabal and Badro districts of terrorists and seize the Muslim cemetery district.
Follow us on Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter!
Donate!
| 0 |
Donald Trump
After staying up all night playing Russian Roulette with America, I spy with Russia, and sniff & tweet with some nasty girls, Donald Trump is in trouble again! His team of babysitters woke up to chaos at the crack of Trump which turned into more cat fights amongst themselves. Donald Trump managed to grab one of them before his phone was confiscated.
One babysitter said Trump is totally out of control, he doesn't listen, and he says and does whatever he wants like a spoiled little brat! Another babysitter said if they keep paying him enough, he believes he can control him by buying him more sniffle treats, cover up his lies with bigger blankets and cause lots of tremendous distractions. Another babysitter complained that he's only hanging around because the campaign still owes him money for buying likes, retweets and followers for Donald Trump because everyone who knows him hates him unless they're getting paid and says Trump doesn't deserve to have twitter because he can't even read or write!
Melania came to her husbands defense by saying Donald has a wonderful ability to keep going and she was proud of him for still being awake at 3:00 AM, dressed as a Marionette sitting on Putin's lap, sniffling, laughing, and playing truth or dare on twitter.
Paul Ryan said he wants nothing to do with the chaos. He said he was there to look for his house keys, it's not his party, he only watched, and he didn't play!
Giuliani was found passed out with Donald Trump's shoe in his mouth mumbling drool, and Comey was found tied up on a chair in a corner rambling in and out of consciousness about giving Trump Paul Ryan's house keys and it's not his fault Trump burned his house down.
The babysitter club is so fed up, they have taken away all of Donald Trump's twitter privileges! Make DeniseVasquez's | 0 |
By: Voice of Reason | Facebook has done some pretty bad stuff this last year. They spent a lot of money and personal resources to help Hillary Clinton out during the election, but not any more says CEO and Founder Mark Zuckerberg! After the liberal media tried to make him turn on one of his oldest friends, Peter Thiel, for donating to Donald Trump , Zuckerberg finally decided to fight back. Since Zuckerberg is still technically supporting Hillary for President, in the following video I suggest what his real motive may have been for lashing out with pro-Trump rhetoric, and why the person he’s defending doesn’t win Zuckerberg any humanitarian awards either… He wrote a scathing post, telling people that Facebook will stand for more than just the ideas of a few tech elite, but instead for the ideas of the people. Zuckerberg even acknowledged there are GOOD reasons that people support Trump : They believe strongly in smaller government They want a different tax policy They want a better health care system They want to maintain religious freedom They worry about American gun rights Or ANY other issue where he disagrees with Hillary He ended the post by saying: “That’s ultimately what Facebook is about: giving everyone the power to share our experiences, so we can understand each other a bit better and connect us a little closer together.” So, despite the fact that he still supports Hillary Clinton , I want to thank Mark Zuckerberg for having the common decency to acknowledge the Trump Train even though all his tech billionaire friends will attack him for it. Now let’s get this shared out everywhere so we can show the world that Hillary’s “network” is finally turning it’s back on her. In related news, could what happened just hours after the final debate be the REAL reason Zuckerberg came out of the closet as a pro-Trump keyboard warrior? Several hours after what was arguably Trump ’s best performance of the campaign so far, one of the world’s top political experts gave Trump the best news he could hope to hear… Danny Gold continues: If you love Trump , today just became a HECK of a lot better! A very well respected political professor from Syracuse has just given Donald Trump the best news of the entire election. Professor Helmut Norpoth stepped forward today, despite HUGE opposition from his peers, to announce that his scientific formula has predicted the TRUE results of the election. And the result is… There is an 87%-99% chance that Donald Trump will WIN the election! Heck yeah! See, at least there are still some people who have not been bought off by Hillary Clinton. According to Northrop, all the other predictions are based entirely on opinion polls, which are inherently wrong. Instead of opinion polling, Norpoth relies on statistics from candidates’ performances in party primaries and patterns in the electoral cycle to forecast results. His model has correctly predicted the victor in every presidential election since 1996. (H/T- The Gateway Pundit ) So if you wanted something to celebrate, I mean other than Donald Trump ’s epic win over Hillary Clinton at the final Presidential debate, then Helmut Norpoth has just given you exactly that. Now let’s help share this GREAT news to everyone else in the entire world. Let every Trump supporting Facebook friend you have know! First of all, Zuckerberg may be a flaming liberal, but he’s no fool. It’s no secret that Zuckerberg has enjoyed a cushy relationship with Obama and the White House over the past eight years, but a Trump presidency could pose a threat to Mark Zuckerberg’s current role as the self-proclaimed arbiter of “free speech.” As Facebook’s CEO, Zuckerberg has almost absolute control over what is, and what is not “acceptable” to believe in, or talk about on the Internet. Then, there’s the whole issue of who Zuckerberg was defending when he had his micro-aggression and temporarily boarded the “ Trump Train.” It’s not like he was defending Mother Teresa’s good name or something. Peter Thiel, the guy who is Zuck’s BFF that people were ragging on for donating to Trump , just happens to the chief henchman of the Bilderberg Group, and chairman of its steering committee. It’s worth noting too, that Peter Thiel is HARDLY Zuckerberg’s closest connection to the Bilderberg group. I won’t discuss it here, but he’s got another connection that hits MUCH closer to home, so before everyone gets all excited thinking that perhaps Zuckerberg isn’t such a bad guy after all, it’s more likely he’s just hedging his bets, and Hillary was probably fully aware of what he said ahead of time. THE VOICE OF REASON is the pen name of Michael DePinto, a graduate of Capital University Law School, and an attorney in Florida. Having worked in the World Trade Center, along with other family and friends, Michael was baptized by fire into the world of politics on September 11, 2001. Michael’s political journey began with tuning in religiously to whatever the talking heads on television had to say, then Michael became a “Tea-Bagging” activist as his liberal friends on the Left would say, volunteering within the Jacksonville local Tea Party, and most recently Michael was sworn in as an attorney. Today, Michael is a major contributor to www.BeforeItsNews.com , he owns and operates www.thelastgreatstand.com , where Michael provides what is often very ‘colorful’ political commentary, ripe with sarcasm, no doubt the result of Michael’s frustration as he feels we are witnessing the end of the American Empire. The topics Michael most often weighs in on are: Martial Law, FEMA Camps, Jade Helm, Economic Issues, Government Corruption, and Government Conspiracy. Submit your review | 0 |
Mail’s giant map of Britain to include names and addresses of all traitors 04-11-16
THE Daily Mail is giving every reader a free ‘giant map of Britain’ to help them hunt down local traitors.
The paper said the map is particularly huge to allow the millions of names and addresses to be included without the letters being too small to read.
A Daily Mail spokesman said: “It’s about 16 foot wide and 28 foot long. You can pin it to a large outside wall, though if you live north of Swindon you’ll need a ladder to examine it. Or just lay it on the floor, the lawn or a nearby public park.
“At that point – assuming you know where your home town is actually located – it’s really easy to find all the traitors within your midst who want to hand this country over to Guyana.
“We’re also giving each reader a giant pen so they can score off each traitor’s name as they are being bundled into the back of a van by some soldiers.”
The spokesman added: “It’s a lovely, traditional way of hunting down communists and homosexuals using a proper British map.”
Share: | 0 |
Google Pinterest Digg Linkedin Reddit Stumbleupon Print Delicious Pocket Tumblr
Donald Trump, already laying the ground work for a “rigged election” challenge after he loses, filed a frivolous lawsuit in Nevada that sought to erase the votes of many residents of Clark County because they dared wait line past the time polls closed (as was their legal right) and got their vote in during early voting.
The lawsuit, on its face, was insane. Trump was arguing that people who waited in the long lines to vote should have been sent home once the polls officially closed. This is contrary to the law, which says that as long as a person is in line at the time of closing, they are legally entitled to cast their ballot. This is done specifically to ensure crooked politicians couldn’t disenfranchise voters by intentionally making lines so long that the poll workers can’t possibly get to all of the people.
As reporter Jon Ralston noted in disbelief as the court case unfolded: This lawsuit has even less merit than I thought. And that is saying something.
— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) November 8, 2016 That was the Trump campaign in a nutshell in that NV court hearing:Unprepared. | 0 |
Trump Votes Are Being Flipped To Clinton There have already been multiple reports of faulty electronic voting machines The Alex Jones Show - October 28, 2016 Comments
The election fraud is already being documented with many votes for Donald Trump flipping to Hillary Clinton. NEWSLETTER SIGN UP Get the latest breaking news & specials from Alex Jones and the Infowars Crew. Related Articles Download on your mobile device now for free. Today on the Show Get the latest breaking news & specials from Alex Jones and the Infowars crew. From the store Featured Videos FEATURED VIDEOS A Vote For Hillary is a Vote For World War 3 - See the rest on the Alex Jones YouTube channel . The Most Offensive Halloween EVER! - See the rest on the Alex Jones YouTube channel . ILLUSTRATION How much will your healthcare premiums rise in 2017? >25% © 2016 Infowars.com is a Free Speech Systems, LLC Company. All rights reserved. Digital Millennium Copyright Act Notice. 34.95 22.46 Flip the switch and supercharge your state of mind with Brain Force the next generation of neural activation from Infowars Life. http://www.infowars.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/brainforce-25-200-e1476824046577.jpg http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force Brain Force – 25% OFF 34.95 22.46 Flip the switch and supercharge your state of mind with Brain Force the next generation of neural activation from Infowars Life. http://www.infowars.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/brainforce-25-200-e1476824046577.jpg http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force Brain Force – 25% OFF 34.95 22.46 Flip the switch and supercharge your state of mind with Brain Force the next generation of neural activation from Infowars Life. http://www.infowars.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/brainforce-25-200-e1476824046577.jpg http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force Brain Force – 25% OFF 34.95 22.46 Flip the switch and supercharge your state of mind with Brain Force the next generation of neural activation from Infowars Life. http://www.infowars.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/brainforce-25-200-e1476824046577.jpg http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force Brain Force – 25% OFF 34.95 22.46 Flip the switch and supercharge your state of mind with Brain Force the next generation of neural activation from Infowars Life. http://www.infowars.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/brainforce-25-200-e1476824046577.jpg http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force Brain Force – 25% OFF 34.95 22.46 Flip the switch and supercharge your state of mind with Brain Force the next generation of neural activation from Infowars Life. http://www.infowars.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/brainforce-25-200-e1476824046577.jpg http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force http://www.infowarsstore.com/health-and-wellness/infowars-life/brain-force.html?ims=tzrwu&utm_campaign=Infowars+Placement&utm_source=Infowars.com&utm_medium=Widget&utm_content=Brain+Force | 0 |
hmm yeah but Obama at least he didn't stage something as horrific as 9-11. and the phoney war for weapons of mass destruction along with buddy Tony..lol There not at all even close.. Obama is well educated the other is just well connected cuz of daddy warbucks.. there is a huge difference. Don't forget where grampa got his cash from..zig hiel.. | 0 |
As we reported one week ago, the latest Treasury International Capital report revealed something disturbing : not only had foreign central banks sold a record amount of US Treasurys in the past 12 months, some $346 billion worth…
… but America’s largest foreign creditor, China, sold a record $34 billion in US paper in the latest month, and bringing its total holdings to the lowest since 2012.
This led to an obvious question: is China dumping all of its foreign reserve holdings proportionately, or is Beijing strategically offloading its US paper, for financial, political reasons or otherwise, as it buys other foreign government bonds. The answer, at least according to the Nikkei, is the latter.
As the Japanese owner of the Financial Times reports , China is on a shopping spree, and has been “gobbling” up Japanese government bonds, adding that Beijing bought close to a net 9 trillion yen ($86.6 billion) worth of JGBs in the January-August period, more than tripling the amount from the same period last year. Incidentally that’s almost equivalent to the number of US Treasurys sold by China.
A simple explanation for the shift is that the People’s Bank of China has been reducing its holdings of U.S. Treasurys in anticipation of higher U.S. interest rates and shifting some of its money to JGBs, where higher rates – courtesy of 250% in debt/GDP – are largely guaranteed to never arrive.
But more importantly, and this could explain the perplexing recent strength in the Yuan, this trend may be a reason behind the yen’s appreciation in foreign exchange markets in recent months .
According to Japan’s Ministry of Finance, China invested 8.9 trillion yen in Japanese securities in net terms between January and August. Buying started to exceed selling more often on a monthly basis in the second half of 2015. In April, net buying surpassed 3 trillion yen. Curiously, China is not buying the Japanese bonds for the “yield”, but rather for liquidity: most of the securities purchased by the PBOC are bonds with maturities of one year or less.
Judging by the latest TIC data, China’s selling of US paper is accelerating, which also suggests that just as China has been a factor pushing the Yuan higher, the dollar has been pressured lower by the ongoing Chinese liquidation. One wonders how much higher the USD will jump if and when China decides to halt its selling of US paper, and how much lower the Yuan will then tumble in response, leading to even faster capital outflows from China.
Source: Zero Hedge
| 0 |
Tim Brown
Well, leave it to the Democrats in Nevada to do something like this. Not only are they engaged in illegal acts concerning voter registration , but now they have ruined the good name of Cliven Bundy by sending out 700,000 mailers to households throughout Nevada and contaminating the jury pool, which has led the defense to call on the court to “change the venue” so that Bundy might receive a fair trial.
The flyer reads, “This man’s armed standoff led to the deaths of two Las Vegas Police Officers and he’s supported by Congressman Hardy.” It also contains Cliven Bundy’s name and mug shot in front of a row of prison cells. This was also paid for by the Nevada State Democratic Party.
Attorney for journalist Pete Santilli , Chris Rasmussen, joined with Nevada’s public defenders in a motion to compel the court for a “change of venue.” Rasmussen received one of the flyers and entered it into evidence with the court claiming that Bundy would not receive a fair trial due to the obvious propaganda sent out by the State of Nevada.
This story about tying the Bundy’s or anyone at Bundy Ranch to Jared and Amanda Miller, the Las Vegas shooters , is bogus. By his own account, Miller was sent home from Bundy Ranch . Here’s Miller’s comment to a YouTube video claiming that very thing.
In fact, the media jumped all over the false narrative that Miller and his wife were tied to the Bundy’s, labeling them right wing extremist terrorists , and attempting to use the propaganda for advancing attacks on the Second Amendment . The media never mentioned the fact that the Millers were involved in the Occupy Movement and it never informed the public that they were Vegas police informants .
What’s worse is that this attempt to smear patriots for standing against the illegal and unconstitutional acts of the DC government and their willing accomplices in the Bureau of Land Management , FBI, and corrupt politicians, both in DC and local, is the fact that this was already dealt with once as Constitutional Sheriff Richard Mack was wrongly connected to the Millers.
Deb Jordan adds , “Las Vegas Metro Police and the Clark County Sheriff’s Department cannot produce any report of violence or destruction of property during the Bundy Civil Rights Protest, except in those instances where the Bureau of Land Management were the perpetrators.”
“Sheriff Douglas Gillespie, the then Sheriff of Clarke County said at the time, there was no direct link to the couple’s killing spree and Cliven Bundy – noting that the two had arrived in Las Vegas in January of 2014 and that they had their own agenda for starting a revolution,” she added. “Gillespie made clear he had seen NO evidence that the Miller’s had come to Nevada seeking out Cliven Bundy.”
Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore also took time to call out this injustice .
“This mailer is completely unacceptable she said, and somebody needs to be held accountable for putting this false narrative in Nevada mailboxes,” she said. “Clearly the Bundy’s Civil Rights were being violated by a United States Government – Terrorist Organization – known as the BLM, and we all saw it happening with our own eyes. I was not the only elected official at that protest and what I want to know is, where the hell are they now?”
Fiore also said :
The level of propaganda being allowed by the Democratic Party must come to an end. We have men whose lives are on the line here in Nevada, and poisoning the jury pool with a downright lie must be dealt with. Not only do we have a case here that is already out of balance because it is being overseen by Judge Gloria Navarro, a left winger who was recommended by Harry Reid and appointed by Barack Obama, and Steven Myhre a Liberal Prosecutor who could obviously care less about fairness and truth, now we add to that more unfairness by allowing a left-wing propaganda machine to send out the message, that Cliven Bundy is directly responsible for the death of two of our Metro Police officers.
This case should be awarded a change in venue in the fairness of law, and my peers should stop being cowards and get back to representing the truth about this case.
Cliven Bundy held a peaceful protest on his own property and even though the Federal Government was not invited, they came anyway.
They literally beat up on his family, set trained snipers on hillsides overlooking his ranch, came at them with stun guns and dogs, tried to restrict them to a first amendment area, killed and buried their cattle on public lands – in mass graves, threatened everyone who came to a lawful protest with lethal force, had armed helicopters and drones flying all over the place, and now they honestly want the American people to believe the Bundy’s were the bad guys — come on …
The Government has stacked the odds against these men, and I am telling you right now;
I will not stand by and watch them be railroaded by a bunch of left-wing extremist and sent to prison for crimes they did not commit.
This case should not only be moved out of the State of Nevada, it should be dismissed altogether.
I have no regrets for doing the right thing here when it comes to the Bundy’s — As hard as it is, I would rather lose every single race for office, before I would lose one nights sleep knowing I had betrayed them .”
Fiore is correct. The men in Nevada were more peaceful than the agents who surrounded them. So, what are you going to do America? Will you sit quietly by at your keyboard and rage at the machine, or will you take action?
You can contact the responsible party here: Address : 6233 Dean Martin Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89118 | 0 |
During Friday’s Weekly Address, President Trump stated that “one of the gravest threats to religious freedom remains the threat of terror. ”[Transcript as Follows: “My fellow Americans, This is a season of great hope. This week, Jewish families across our country, and around the world, celebrate Passover and retell the story of God’s deliverance of the Jewish people. The story of the Exodus is a story of freedom. It is the story of an incredible people who were liberated from oppression and raised up the face of humankind. Down through the centuries, the Jewish People have lived through one persecution after another — and yet, they persevered and thrived and uplifted the world beyond measure. And now, the State of Israel stands as a monument to their faith and endurance. Another day of faith and celebration is also upon us. This Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the promise of eternal salvation. It is a holy day of reverence and worship it is a sacred time that fills the spirit of our Nation with the faith of our people. America is a Nation of believers. As families gather in houses of worship across the Nation, we are grateful for the tremendous blessings of this land, our home. We have a beautiful country, an abundant countryside, and an amazing people with a truly bright and wonderful future. From the beginning, America has been a place that has cherished the freedom of worship. That is the promise the first settlers saw in our vast continent — and it is the promise that our bravest warriors have protected for all of our citizens in centuries since, a long time ago. Sadly, many around the globe do not enjoy this freedom — and one of the gravest threats to religious freedom remains the threat of terror. On Palm Sunday, as Christians around the world celebrate the beginning of Holy Week, ISIS murdered at least 45 people and injured over 100 others at two Christian churches in Egypt. We condemn this barbaric attack. We mourn for those who lost loved ones. And we pray for the strength and wisdom to achieve a better tomorrow — one where good people of all faiths, Christians and Muslims and Jewish and Hindu, can follow their hearts and worship according to their conscience. With God’s grace, life always triumphs over death, freedom overcomes oppression, and faith extinguishes fear. This is the source of our hope — and our confidence in the future. I also want to give a special message to those struggling Americans who have felt for too long the bitter taste of hardship. I want you to know: this White House is fighting for you. We are fighting for every American who has been left behind. We are fighting for the right of all citizens to enjoy safety and peace — and to work and live with the dignity that all Children of God are entitled to know. As long as we have faith in each other, and trust in God, we will succeed. Thank you. Have a Happy Easter, and a Happy Passover. God bless you. And God bless America. ” Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett | 1 |
Google has confirmed that the company’s popular Chrome web browser will feature a native by 2018. [VentureBeat reports that following rumors for the past six weeks relating to the implementation of a native within Google Chrome, the company has finally stepped forward to set the record straight. Google has joined the Coalition for Better Ads, a group that sets specific standards in order to improve ads for consumers. Chrome will reportedly begin to block all ads that do not meet the Coalition’s guidelines, “starting in early 2018. ” In practical terms, Google will use the Chrome browser to cut off advertising revenue to sites that don’t meet their standards. The browser will be taking a hardline stance towards websites — if one of their ads doesn’t meet guidelines then all ads will be blocked, resulting in a total loss of revenue. It seems that Google’s hope with this integrated is to make third party extensions redundant. Many ad blockers block all outright, while Google’s new blocker will only filter poorly optimized ads that they claim hurt publishers “and threatens the sustainability of the web ecosystem. ” Despite the fact that Google actually makes the majority of their revenue from the company says that they see this type of selective ad blocker as the future of internet browsing and natural evolution of ad blockers. As well as the development of their own ad blocking software, Google has also launched the Ads Experience Reports which enables users to provide Google with screenshots and videos of annoying experiences in order to help websites find and fix their faulty . Once website owners have removed the offending ads, they are eligible to their website for review which should prevent them being blacklisted by Google in teh future. Google has suggested that website publisher review the new best practices guide to ensure that their website runs smoothly. Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship. Follow him on Twitter @LucasNolan_ or email him at lnolan@breitbart. com | 1 |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.