Selasa, 17 Desember 2019

Salisbury News

Salisbury News

Barack Obama says women are 'indisputably better' than men

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 08:30 PM PST

Former U.S. President Barack Obama says that women would do an 'indisputably better' job running the world than men, and blamed many of the problems around the globe on old, male leaders who don't want to give up their power.

Speaking at a private leadership conference in Singapore last week, Obama said that while he was still in office, he would think of what the world would be like if it was run by a majority of women.

'Now women, I just want you to know, you are not perfect. But what I can say pretty indisputably is that you're better than us [men]', he said at the meeting.

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Governor Hogan Unveils Bold Energy Legislation

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 08:00 PM PST


Path to Cleaner, Smarter, Cheaper Energy with Zero Carbon Emissions and 100% Clean Electricity by 2040; Protects Maryland Jobs While Aggressively Addressing Climate Change

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today unveiled details of bold and innovative legislation to set Maryland on a path to 100% clean electricity by 2040. The Clean and Renewable Energy Standard (CARES) continues the Hogan administration's strong commitment to leading the charge on affordable clean energy, climate change, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions—setting an example of skilled environmental stewardship.

The CARES plan, which the governor will submit on the first day of the upcoming legislative session, is bolder than a proposal passed by the General Assembly earlier this year.

Joined by Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Secretary Ben Grumbles and Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) Director Mary Beth Tung, the governor made today's announcement at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center, following a tour of the facility's state-of-the-art combined heat and power system, which was installed in 2017 using a $464,700 grant from MEA to assist with costs.

"Our CARES legislation is a cleaner, smarter, and cheaper plan that protects Maryland jobs," said Governor Hogan. "CARES will deliver on the promise of 100% clean electricity by 2040. It is a balanced and bold strategy that underscores our commitment to aggressively address climate change while setting an example of strong environmental leadership."

CARES builds upon Maryland's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to provide a strategy for Maryland to achieve better environmental results through clean energy. It expands the eligibility of credits for clean energy resources to encourage competition and cost-effectiveness for the benefit of Maryland ratepayers. The plan also eliminates the eligibility of these credits and subsidies for controversial energy resources such as "black liquor" and the burning of municipal solid waste to create energy.

"Over the last five years, Maryland has become a national leader in energy efficiency and affordable clean energy measures that prioritize the needs of our citizens and the environment," said Director Tung. "CARES will address the carbon elephant in the room by providing a clear path for Maryland's net-zero carbon future with projects like the combined heat and power system at Baltimore Washington Medical Center."

CARES is a key component of Maryland's comprehensive, economy-wide strategy to achieve its climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40% by 2030—a goal that is substantially greater than the commitment to reduce emissions under the Paris Agreement.

CARES embraces Maryland's clean and renewable energy resources and increases the RPS requirement of 50% by 2030 to 100% clean electricity by 2040. Key elements include:
  • Increasing the strategic use of zero- and low-carbon clean and renewable energy sources.
  • Recognizing the clean and safe aspects of nuclear energy by making new nuclear energy facilities, such as small modular reactors built utilizing developing technology, eligible for clean energy credits.
  • Supporting hydropower, coupled directly with maintaining environmental stewardship.
  • Providing incentives for carbon capture, utilization, and storage, making Maryland the first state to do so.
  • Encouraging energy-efficient combined heat and power systems by making new facilities eligible for credits.
CARES provides the means to vastly enhance the production of low carbon and carbon-free energy in Maryland and highlights the environmental stewardship of the Hogan administration in our energy sector while providing Marylanders with affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy.

"Governor Hogan's historic push for clean, homegrown energy is at the heart of our comprehensive climate strategy and serves as a model for other states looking to green and grow their economies," said Secretary Grumbles.

The Hogan administration has made record investments to preserve and protect our natural environment, including fully funding Program Open Space for the first time in more than a decade and fully funding the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund for the first time in state history. In total, the administration has committed an historic $5 billion toward wide-ranging bay initiatives—far more than any administration in Maryland history—and continues fighting to protect and restore full federal funding for the Chesapeake Bay.

The State of Maryland is also a proud member of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan group of governors from across America that is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Hogan administration has pushed for and enacted clean air standards that are stronger than 48 other states and nearly twice as strong as the Paris Accord recommendations. Maryland continues to be a leader in the innovative Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and is an active member of the multi-state Transportation and Climate Initiative.

Schumer Issues List Of Democrat Demands For Senate Impeachment Trial

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 07:30 PM PST

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), apparently under the impression that he controls the Senate and can dictate the parameters of President Donald Trump's upcoming impeachment trial, issued a list of Democrat "demands" to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and other leading Republicans, outlining witnesses, evidence, and testimony he would like presented, as well as proposed timeline for proceedings.

Schumer sent the three-page letter to McConnell late Sunday, ostensibly to maximize visibility and capture headlines Monday morning, and to coincide with an appearance on CNN.

In his remarks, Schumer called the impeachment trial a "bipartisan" effort and suggested that Republicans and Democrats should work together for a mutually beneficial trial scenario.

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Hope College Denies Turning Point USA on Religious Grounds – but Embraces Pro-Abortion Dems

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 07:00 PM PST

Hope College student and prospective Turning Point USA chapter president Maryn Setsuda told Breitbart News that her TPUSA student group was denied by administrators, adding that when she asked why, she was told her that TPUSA does not meet the college's qualifications of "Christian Aspirations," among other issues. The student spoke to SiriusXM's Breitbart News Daily host Alex Marlow on Friday.

Turning Point USA has been denied from becoming an officially recognized student group at Hope College, according to the group's prospective chapter president, Maryn Setsuda, who added that she was given "no specific reasons or examples" as to why this decision was made.

Setsuda told Breitbart News that when she asked administrators to elaborate on why the group was denied, the school's Associate Dean of Student Life suggested that TPUSA does not "live into Hope's Christian Aspirations," among other reasons.

"I asked [the Associate Dean of Student Life], I said, 'Do all college campus activities need to be associated with Christianity?'" explained Setsuda, adding that she brought up the notion that "there are other groups on campus that arguably don't aspire to Christian values," such as the College Democrats, who support abortion.

"So I said, 'Is there something that Turning Point does that's even worse than [abortion]?' and she was speechless," said Setsuda.

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'I wouldn't want to be related to them': Robert De Niro launches scathing attack on President Trump's adult children on The View

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 06:30 PM PST

Hollywood legend and staunch 'Never Trumper' Robert De Niro offered yet another a pejorative take on the 45th President of the United States during an appearance on The View on Monday - but the 76-year-old arguably reserved his fiercest criticisms for Trump's adult children.

De Niro's appearance on the ABC show came primarily to promote his latest cinematic outing with Martin Scorsese, but before the panel could even mention The Irishman, the two-time Oscar winner was already waxing lyrical about his disdain for the Commander in Chief.

During the scathing monologue, De Niro voiced belief that the Trump family has behaved far worse than any of the mob families depicted in some of his most famous films, warning that if his children behaved the way Don Jr., Eric, and Ivanka have, he'd have 'disowned them' by now.

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Adam Schiff is Shameless

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 06:00 PM PST

Last Thursday afternoon I boarded an Amtrak Acela train from Washington, D.C. to New York. While in D.C., I enjoyed spending time at the Trump International Hotel where people were happy - not just because of the holidays, but because of where they were, surrounded by people of like mind.

In particular, the hotel lobby bar on Wednesday night was filled with festive people who had just left the White House Chanukah party at which Trump had signed the Executive Order on Combatting Anti-Semitism. Jews across the country were thrilled that the administration was finally doing what the Democrats in the House of Representatives had blocked.

While waiting to board the train, I thought I recognized a couple of congress people but no one of import. That is, until I entered the train and noticed two secret servicemen and a D.C. police officer accompanying someone on the platform. I turned around and saw Adam Schiff walking towards me.

Not one to shy from confrontation, I could not hold back my disgust.

As he neared, I looked at his staffer and asked how he could work for such a despicable jerk and then turned to Schiff and asked him if he understood what he was doing to our democracy. He just stared blankly through those massive bulbous eyes that only exude hate and contempt. I mockingly said, "Talk about abuse of power -- how in the world do you look at yourself every day in the mirror? You're simply an awful human being and a liar. How do you live with yourself?" He wished me happy holidays and walked away.

There's more.. she wasn't done yet.

Democrats Vow To Continue Impeachment Investigations Regardless Of Senate Outcome

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 05:30 PM PST

Attorneys representing House Democrats have told a federal court that House Democrats intend to continue impeachment investigations against President Donald Trump after they vote on impeachment this week, regardless of the eventual outcome of the Senate's impeachment trial.

"In a filing to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, House General Counsel Douglas Letter argued that the House's demands for grand jury materials connected to former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation were still urgent because such evidence might become relevant to the Senate's expected impeachment trial next month," Politico reported. "But Letter went further to note that even apart from the Senate trial, the House Judiciary Committee intends to continue its impeachment investigation arising from the Mueller probe on its own merit."

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Study: Processed Foods Increase Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 05:00 PM PST

Store-bought chicken nuggets, jelly donuts and energy bars may taste delicious. But a large, new study warns that the more of these and other highly processed foods you consume, the greater your risk for type 2 diabetes.

Every 10% increase in the amount of "ultra-processed" food translated into a 15% increase in the risk for developing diabetes, according to the French study.

Lead author Bernard Srour noted that his team previously established a link between higher consumption of ultra-processed food and a higher risk for cancer, heart disease, depression and premature death.

Srour is a postdoctoral researcher in nutritional epidemiology at the University of Paris.

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Judge Mukasey: Schiff May Have Violated the Law by Subpoenaing Call Records

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 04:30 PM PST

Former Attorney General and former federal judge Michael Mukasey appeared on Fox Futures with Maria Bartiromo and dropped some bombshell points that haven't gotten a lot of attention.

First, Mukasey pointed to one big glaring piece of evidence that showed bias by the FBI when it came to the Trump/Russia probe that he explained hadn't been included in either of the two IG reports that have been released.

Mukasey explained that among the texts between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page was one that spoke about ending the investigation against Hillary Clinton faster because Trump was going to be the nominee.

Mukasey said that was clear evidence of bias. He acknowledged that the IG didn't have subpoena power and so basically had to take people at their word. But he said U.S. Attorney John Durham did have that power and would not be so restricted in looking at such evidence.

Maria Bartiromo brings up another point — that there's other evidence that the probe began long before the date of July 31 that the FBI has claimed and that the IG basically just accepted.

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Brad Paisley and his wife open free grocery store to help people in need

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 04:00 PM PST

Country music star Brad Paisley and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, have opened a free grocery store in Nashville, Tennessee, to help people in need.

The supermarket called The Store allows families who are referred by nonprofit and government agencies to shop at the grocery free of charge for one year so that they can get back on their feet, Today reported.

The Store operates like any other market. Customers walk through the aisles to pick out their own fruits, vegetables, cereal, etc., that they need and check out at the register. But the main difference is that no money changes hands.

With the help from Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and other organizations, they will provide the food to the shop.

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Leo Shaw Convicted And Sentenced For Illegal Possession Of Firearms

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 03:30 PM PST

Pakistan sentences former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to death by hanging for high treason

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 03:00 PM PST

Pakistan's former military dictator Pervez Musharraf has today been sentenced to death by hanging.

Musharraf was found guilty of high treason and subverting the constitution by a special court in Islamabad today, Pakistani officials said.

The charges against the 76-year-old surround his controversial decision to declare a state of emergency in 2007 - a move that sparked outrage and a wave of protests, plunging the country into turmoil.

Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup and ruled until 2008, is currently in Dubai after leaving Pakistan for treatment three years ago.

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STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE SAYS SCHOOL BUS BEATING ‘DOES NOT MEET CRITERIA FOR A HATE CRIME’

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 02:30 PM PST

Five African-American students seen pummeling a 14-year-old white boy on a school bus in a video released last week have been charged with misdemeanor battery.

From WCTV, "Five Hamilton Co. students charged for school bus attack caught on video":

JASPER, Fla. (WCTV) –The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office says five students face misdemeanor battery charges after a fight on a school bus.

Video of the November 21 attack shows the students punching at a teen sitting in a bus seat.

[…] Superintendent Rex Mitchell says the school district investigated, disciplined the students, and turned information over to the sheriff's office for action.
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said the State's Attorney's Office "stated that this incident does not meet criteria for a hate crime."
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‘This Will Protect Criminals’: Homeland Security Blasts New York Law Allowing Illegal Aliens To Get Driver’s Licenses

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 02:00 PM PST

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rebuked a New York law that took effect on Monday allowing illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses.

The state's "Green Light" bill, which Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed in June, makes it possible to apply for a driver's license without a Social Security number, and makes foreign documentation valid for the purpose of obtaining a license.

"This will protect criminals at the expense of the safety and security of law-abiding New York residents," a DHS spokesman said in a statement Monday evening.

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WCSO Press Release 12-17-19

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 01:30 PM PST

Incident: CDS Possession with Intent to Distribute
Suspects:
  • Joudrey, Kristen M; 31, of Salisbury, MD 
  • Mitchell, Timothy J; 29, of Salisbury, MD
Date of Incident: 12-14-19
Location: RT 13 and Pine St, Salisbury
Narrative: On 12-14-19 at 1114 pm, a Deputy conducted a traffic stop on Rt 13 in the area of Pine St. As the Deputy approached the car, he saw CDS in the passenger compartment. A further search revealed heroin and crack cocaine in sufficient quantity to indicate CDS sales. The driver, Kristen Joudrey, and passenger, Timothy Mitchell, were arrested and released to Central Booking. While at Central Booking, additional CDS was located on Joudrey. Both were seen by the District Court Commissioner and held without bond pending the bond review.

Charges:
  • Joudrey: Possession of Heroin with the Intent to Distribute. Possession of Crack Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS, heroin and crack cocaine, Possession of paraphernalia and Knowingly bringing contraband into a Detention Center
  • Mitchell: Possession of Heroin with the intent to Distribute. Possession of Heroin and Possession of Paraphernalia
Incident: Assault
Suspects:
  • Sine, Jonas; 41, of Delmar, MD
  • Satchell, Denise Lynette; 32, of Delmar, MD
Date of Incident: 12-13-19
Location: Country Hearth Inn, 9544 Ocean Hwy, Delmar, MD
Narrative: On the evening of 12-13-19, Deputies were dispatched to a room at the Country Hearth Inn, 9544 Ocean Hwy, for a domestic disturbance. Callers reported a domestic assault in progress. Upon arrival, Deputies were sent to a room at the motel. Inside the room, Deputies heard screaming. Deputies saw 4 children run from the room, outside into the rain, with no shoes on. Deputies made contact with the adult occupants, Denise Satchell and Jonas Sine, who were uncooperative and had injuries from their mutual assault. The subjects continued to act disorderly and cause a disturbance for the other customers staying at the motel. Both were arrested, and were taken to Central Booking to see the District Court Commissioner. During contact, both remained uncooperative and Ms. Satchell was assaultive towards Deputies.
Charges:
  • Sine: Assault 2nd degree, Fail to Obey a Reasonable Order, 4 counts of Reckless Endangerment
  • Satchell: 3 counts of 2nd degree Assault, Fail to Obey a Reasonable Order, Disorderly Conduct, Resist Arrest, 4 counts of Reckless Endangerment 
Incident: Fleeing and Eluding
Suspect: McClymont, Michael Bradley; 33 of Nanticoke
Date of Incident: 12-15-19
Location: Milford St and S Division St, Salisbury
Narrative: On the evening of 12-15-19, a Deputy saw a violation and attempted to stop a motor vehicle being operated by Michael McClymont. McClymont failed to stop, and attempted to speed away from the Deputy. McClymont quickly lost control, and crashed his vehicle, ultimately striking an unoccupied building in the 1300 block of S Division St. McClymont exited his vehicle, and tried to run on foot before he was quickly apprehended. The Deputy learned that McClymont did not have a valid license to drive. McClymont was arrested, and taken before a District Court Commissioner at Central Booking.
Charges: Reckless Endangerment, Attempt to Elude Police by Failing to Stop, Attempt to Elude Police on Foot, Driving without a license, and many other related traffic charges

Incident: Fail to comply with a Protective Order
Suspect: Morales-Aviles, Jayson; 32 of Eden, Md
Date of Incident: 12-16-19
Location: Booth St and Rt 50, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 12-16-19, a Deputy conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation. The Deputy learned that the vehicle was occupied by Jayson Morales-Aviles and another adult. The Deputy ran Morales-Aviles' information, and found that he had been served a Final Protective Order. In the Order, the court ordered that Morales-Aviles was to have no contact with the other adult in the vehicle. The Deputy arrested Morales-Aviles for failure to obey the Final Protective Order. Morales-Aviles was transported to Central Booking to be seen by a District Court Commissioner.
Charges: Fail to Obey a Final Protective Order

Question Of The Year 2019

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 01:08 PM PST

How long will the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office  cover up the biggest local story of the year involving an elected official family member and the very circumstances behind it?

Yeah Sheriff Mike Lewis, now I have the rest of the local media chomping at the bit wanting to know what's going on that would make National News while some of us are being called "losers". 
I happened to be at BJ's having lunch when a BOE person told me about these alleged favors and how juvenile they were. 

Sheriff Lewis, you may want to get ahead of this one, if you haven't already and let the parents know what's going on since so many students already know. 

The School Funding Inequity Farce

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 12:30 PM PST

'School funding inequity' hasn't been true for at least half a century, but people are spreading this myth through deceptive studies that exclude federal funds.

In reality, a broad range of credible studies that include all funding sources show that such school districts are as well-financed as others.

According to Democrat presidential hopeful and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, "our current approach to school funding at the federal, state, and local level under-funds our schools and results in many students from low-income backgrounds receiving less funding than other students on a per-student basis."

Along the same lines:

Media Ignore Senate Democrats Who Have Made Up Their Minds Before the Trial

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 12:00 PM PST

The mainstream media have accused leading Republicans of destroying the possibility of a "fair trial" in the Senate after President Donald Trump is impeached because many have said they have made up their minds he is not guilty.

The media have conveniently ignored the fact that many Senate Democrats, including most of the Senators running for the Democratic presidential nomination, declared long ago that they had made up their minds Trump was guilty.

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'66 complex financial products': AOC struggles to navigate congressional healthcare plans

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 11:30 AM PST

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez complained the process to enroll in federally-subsidized healthcare for members of Congress is too complicated.

"Members of Congress also have to buy their plans off the exchange," the New York Democrat said Sunday evening. "They are Gold plans that are partially subsidized."

The freshman Democrat, who supports an overhaul of Obamacare and universal healthcare for all Americans, appeared to struggle to identify which of the 66 "complex financial products" was best for her.

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REMINDER!! Wicomico Farm On MPT Tonight

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 11:00 AM PST

Boris Johnson considering cutting BBC funding as network faces accusations of bias

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 10:30 AM PST

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is looking into whether to continue a licensing fee that funds the majority of the budget for the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Treasury official Rishi Sunak said Sunday that the prime minister requested a review of the license fee that costs British viewers $206 a year. The licensing fee currently accounts for 75% of the company's budget. Johnson said before the country's recent election, "You have to ask yourself whether that kind of approach to funding a TV, a media organization still makes sense in the long term."

The BBC faced criticism of bias from both Conservatives and Labour Party supporters. The broadcaster hit back at criticism itself, saying it upheld requirements to stay nonpartisan.

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Adam Schiff Rigged Impeachment Hearings by Hiding Exculpatory Evidence

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 10:07 AM PST

Question Of The Day 12-17-19

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 10:21 AM PST

What is your favorite Christmas Song?   Title and Artist?

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 09:45 AM PST

In early February 2018, Rep. Devin Nunes released a four-page memo outlining what he said were abuses committed by members of the FBI in securing a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant against onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. It wasn't received well in most circles. Still, because of the release of the inspector general report about the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investigation and possible FISA abuse, the record shows that the Nunes memo was pretty much on target.

Nunes took quite the beating over the last three years from the press and the commentariat, including yours truly. I still think Nunes deserves a lot of that criticism. He is, after all, a grown man who thought it would be a good idea to sue a fake cow from Twitter because the person running the account was a meanie pants to him.

That said, on the other side of the aisle, Democrat Adam Schiff also engages in the worst kind of partisan hackery. The Washington Examiner magazine cover story about Schiff, "The Worst Man for The Job," written by David Harsanyi, spells out why it was a big mistake to run the impeachment inquiry through the House Intelligence Committee.

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Washington Post asks that you not make jokes about gender pronouns when people tell you theirs

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 09:30 AM PST

We didn't know this was a national problem, but apparently it is. We really haven't had anyone tell us their preferred pronouns, with the exception of International Pronouns Day, when people held up signs with their preferred pronouns, and when Democratic candidates like Julián Castro and Elizabeth Warren added their pronouns to their Twitter bios.

For us at Twitchy, we mostly look to see if there are preferred pronouns in a tweeter's bio so we know if it's a parody account or not.

The Washington Post is stepping up and asking that people stop making jokes about gender pronouns when people tell you theirs. We wouldn't even know what joke to make — if you want to be called they, we'll do our best.

So what jokes are people making that are so hurtful?

In these contexts, there is no need to be cute or funny; don't say your pronouns are "princess" and "in charge." You may get a laugh, but is the cost — the alienation, discomfort or frustration of vulnerable people — worth it? A cisgender person who claims that their pronouns are "dance mom" and "brat" is suggesting that they are not interested in how fraught this matter can be for trans and non-binary people.

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Staver: Atheist group lied to school over Nativity scene

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 09:15 AM PST

Edmonds Public Schools has dropped Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus from Chisholm Elementary School's third grade Christmas program after atheist group Freedom from Religion Foundation sent a letter claiming the school is violating the Establishment Clause.

The Edmond Sun newspaper reports the live Nativity has been part of the school's Christmas program for approximately three decades but has been "modified" -- dropped -- from the program after the FFRF complaint.

The website for the FFRF offers a 2,100-word legal opinion that tepidly admits the courts have been open to including the Nativity as part of a larger Christmas display. One such case is Lynch v. Donnelly, a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reversed lower court decisions and found Baby Jesus does not violate the Establishment Clause if included among secular decorations on public school property.

Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel tells OneNewsNow he contacted Edmonds Public Schools via letter to explain their legal rights and to offer a pro bono defense.

In its own letter, FFRF nakedly threatened the school district with the news that it had sued an Indiana public school in 2015 over a Nativity scene, but Staver says what was left out of the threatening letter is that the courts ultimately ruled against the lawsuit.

More here

Giuliani says he has new proof of massive corruption in Ukraine involving Bidens

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 09:00 AM PST

Trump lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani says he's uncovered proof of "extensive" corruption in Ukraine, including "clear" proof of money laundering by Burisma energy company and Hunter and Joseph R. Biden.

In a series of tweets, Mr. Giuliani said his trip earlier this month to Ukraine "garnered witnesses & documents which reveal the truth behind this impeachment," which he said includes no wrongdoing by President Trump.

"Evidence revealed that corruption in 2016 was so extensive it was POTUS's DUTY to ask for US-Ukraine investigation," Mr. Giuliani tweeted, days before the House prepares to vote on impeaching the president. He said impeachment is part of a Democrat "cover up" of what he found in "hundreds of hours" and months of research.

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How Md. uses surveillance, data to track motorists, traffic

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 08:30 AM PST

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Motorists in Maryland may be aware of the cameras that enforce speed and red-light violations, but the state's tracking practices include other layers to assist in law enforcement efforts, and for traffic and planning purposes.

Through the different practices, Maryland collects both anonymous and identifiable information — depending on the method — about driving patterns, raising concerns for privacy advocates.

"I don't think it's really an issue of whether you have privacy in a particular moment in time," said Dave Maass, senior investigative researcher at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit that defends civil liberties in the digital age. "But rather whether the government — and companies — should be tracking you over time and space, and then storing and selling that information."

The Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center assists "federal, state, local and private-sector partners in the collection, analysis and dissemination of criminal and homeland security within Maryland," according to its mission statement.

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Schumer wants witnesses for a Trump trial but rejected them for Clinton in 1999

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 08:00 AM PST

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who announced Sunday he wants to summon four witnesses to testify at a Senate trial if the House impeaches President Trump, voted against calling witnesses when President Bill Clinton was impeached in 1999.

Schumer, a New York Democrat, was a new senator in January 1999 when he cast one of his first votes in the chamber to dismiss the case against Clinton and against a motion to subpoena witnesses.

"I wonder if the House managers aren't a little more interested in political theater than in actually getting to the bottom of the facts," Schumer said on CBS at the time, explaining his objection to calling witnesses in the trial against Clinton.

Schumer argued the witnesses would provide nothing new in the case. "My view is we have heard from most of these witnesses over and over again. We've heard the same story."

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Md. youths needing psychiatric care find long waits, drives

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 07:30 AM PST

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — The first time Jeannine LeMieux's daughter was hospitalized for a psychotic episode, she was only 8 years old.

LeMieux took her daughter to a hospital emergency room near her home on Maryland's Eastern Shore, where it was determined that she needed to be hospitalized. Her first admission was to Sheppard Pratt, a privately run psychiatric hospital with child and adolescent inpatient units in Towson, nearly a two-hour drive away.

"They didn't do anything," said her daughter, now 19. "I just remember a kid that smacked me in my face one time."

To maintain the confidentiality of a minor's medical history, LeMieux's daughter's name is being withheld.

Over the next 10 years, the daughter, diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder with ongoing psychotic episodes, depression, anxiety and later bipolar disorder, required hospitalization five more times, taking LeMieux across the Mid-Atlantic region, from northern Delaware to a brief move to Northern Virginia and back into eastern and central Maryland.

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Trump 10,000: Dow posts milestone high since 2016 election

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 07:00 AM PST

The stock market has never been higher than it has been under President Trump.

Stocks reached a record high on Monday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose above 28,322 to begin the week, marking a 10,000-point gain since Election Day in 2016.

In 2019, markets looked shaky at the end of quarter two before rebounding more than 11% from August lows. Gains have been sustained by the passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada trade deal and positive trade talks with China.

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Romney Backs Universal Cash for Kids

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 06:45 AM PST

Sen. Mitt Romney (R., Utah) on Sunday evening announced a plan to give American parents up to $2,500 per child per year.

Romney's proposal, a bipartisan scheme with Sen. Michael Bennet (D., Colo.), would use the federal child tax credit to give parents at every income level $1,000 per child per year, with an added $500 for children under the age of six. To encourage work, the tax credit rises with income, up to an additional $1,000 per child.

"As negotiations over tax provisions developed, Senator Romney saw an opportunity to partner with Senator Bennet on pro-family, pro-child policy that would benefit millions of Americans," Romney press secretary Arielle Mueller told the Washington Free Beacon. "Their proposal builds on the work done by Senators [Marco] Rubio [(R., Fla.)], [Mike] Lee [(R., Utah)], and others to provide significant tax relief to more moms and dads across the country. By making the child tax credit fully refundable, the proposal will especially help parents handle the costs of raising children, while still encouraging work as the benefit phases higher alongside income."

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92% of Americans Think Their Rights Are at Risk

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 06:30 AM PST

According to a new Harris Poll/Purple Project survey released Monday, 92% of Americans believe their rights and freedoms are in danger, and part of the problem is political rhetoric, according to a polling expert.

"When you frame something as a threat, it creates a bit of a political response, and it creates division and encampments of special interest," John Gerzema, CEO of the Harris Poll said, reports USA Today.

The poll of 2,002 people nationwide, showed people fear most that their right to freedom of speech is most under siege:

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McConnell impeachment recusal would disqualify scores of Democrats

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 06:15 AM PST

Calls for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to recuse himself from an impeachment trial of President Trump because he allegedly prejudged the case also would remove scores of Democrats if they are held to the same standard, including most of the chamber's 2020 presidential hopefuls.

Mr. McConnell drew criticism for lacking impartiality when he declared last week that he was on the same page with the White House when preparing for a trial.

"Everything I do during this, I'm coordinating with the White House counsel. There will be no difference between the president's position and our position as to how to handle this," the Kentucky Republican told Fox News.

The remarks spurred House Democrats to call for his recusal as a juror in the impeachment trial, suggesting he won't be impartial in deciding whether Mr. Trump should be convicted and removed from office.

By that measure, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer also could be sidelined for the trial.

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Winning: Trump surges to best odds for reelection since impeachment started

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 06:00 AM PST

In the latest evidence that weeks of impeachment hearings did little to hurt him, the betting odds that President Trump will win reelection next year are nearly his best ever.

After two House committees held hearings, prompting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to schedule an impeachment vote this week, Trump stands at an even 1-1 chance of keeping his office in 2020.

Only Joe Biden, at 5-1, is challenging him, according to gambling site Betonline.ag.

"Trump continues to inspire bettors to take action despite the impeachment process and Greta Thunberg feud," Dave Mason of BetOnline said in sharing the odds with Secrets.

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Hallelujah, religious version (7 year old with stunning voice)

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 05:30 AM PST

Spending deal gives Trump over $1.3 billion in wall funding

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 05:00 AM PST

President Trump and congressional Republicans secured $1.375 billion in funding for a southern border wall as part of a massive year-end spending deal to fund the government through 2020.

The wall funding was a major sticking point in negotiations, but Democrats and Republicans agreed to the sum, which is the same level of spending allotted in 2019.

The legislation maintains Trump's authority to transfer funds for more wall construction, which Democrats had also opposed.

Lawmakers in both parties were eager to avoid a spending showdown after a fight over wall funding earlier this year prompted a 35-day partial government shutdown.

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Prices for construction projects spike, likely due to labor shortages

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 04:00 AM PST

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Some construction projects in Maryland are costing tens of millions of dollars more than original estimates, in large measure because of a lack of skilled trades in the region.

The increase in price for just two large projects at the University of Maryland? About $64 million.

"It was about 2014 when the labor shortages started appearing, first in the D.C. submarkets then in Baltimore a couple years later, then fairly prevalent throughout the state now," said Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation President Bob Aydukovic.

He said that the labor shortages in Maryland, and nationally, can be traced back to the Great Recession of 2008 to 2009.

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Political Memes

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 03:00 AM PST

Tuesday Morning Funnies

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 02:00 AM PST
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