October 31, 2018
By Stephanie Ebbs
Three years after local doctors in Flint, Michigan, (click here) warned of dangerously high lead levels in children, at least 4 million U.S. households still are exposed to high levels of lead as about half a million kids have tested positive for lead in their blood, the Centers for Disease Control said.
A significant number of children with lead poisoning are showing up in cities around the country, including in Syracuse, New York, where 11 percent of kids tested last year had elevated levels in their blood, according to the local health department.
Just this week, The New York Times reported officials in Newark, New Jersey, began distributing water filters after previously saying there wasn't a lead problem with local water. Drawing parallels to Flint, the Times reported a study found water treatment in Newark was failing and 25 percent of children tested showed elevated levels of lead last year....
November 1, 2018
By Zahra AhmadFLINT, MI--
A TV judge (click here) made good on a promise and returned to Flint Thursday to distribute bottled water. He also promised to keep bringing in bottled water until every lead pipe is replaced.
"This fight is not done. We are back and we will continue to come back," Judge Greg Mathis said."The clean water will continue to flow in, even if I have to pay out of my pockets when the donations stop, we're going to keep the cases of water coming until every lead pipe is replaced."
Mathis, along with Flint clergy, other community organizers and citizens, caravanned from Detroit to Flint - collecting bottled water along the way to distribute in Flint.
"I'm angry that we've been abandoned and neglected after the struggle, the lobbying, after securing $200 million in state and federal government funds and we're still being told to drink the water," Mathis said. "I want you to channel that anger to Election Day."
Mathis' rally took place at 6 p.m. on Nov. 1 at Quinn Chapel AME Church, 2101 Lippincott Blvd. in Flint. Flint Mayor Karen Weaver was in attendance as well as 5th District Congressman Dan Kildee....
Friday, November 02, 2018
The October jobs report reflects hurricane recovery.
September saw 50,000 lost jobs in North Carolina and an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 jobs were lost in Florida from Hurricane Michael. This is probably reflecting a rebound. The actual jobs created over those lost was 118,000. If these are jobs lost the 250,000 is about 180,000 or less depending on the recovery in NC and Florida.
I don't know why everyone is so thrilled with a 3 percent increase in pay either. Three percent of the minimum wage still leaves the working poor, poor.
Considering the October job growth is across all sectors, that is a return to function of the infrastructure after the storms.
Just as a note, a friend of the family, a 37 year old power line worker from Wilmington, NC died. (click here) The family was unclear as to why, but, the doctor's reports said it was the heart. He left a wife and children behind. He will be missed. They didn't come any nicer a person.
Life is still not back to normal for many people in Wilmington. I read the recent letter from the Chancellor at UNCW and the school had sustained $140 million in damages. The university has support from many, including alumni to try to bring the campus back. It takes time.
That’s is a lot of damage. Those buildings were fairly new and built like fortresses. I haven’t seen the campus since Florence, but, I cannot imagine $140 million in damage. There were many buildings erected within the past 15 years and built to last 100 years. The entire campus must have been devastated. There were four maintenance men that stayed during the hurricane. They probably have stories to tell.
I don't know why everyone is so thrilled with a 3 percent increase in pay either. Three percent of the minimum wage still leaves the working poor, poor.
Considering the October job growth is across all sectors, that is a return to function of the infrastructure after the storms.
Just as a note, a friend of the family, a 37 year old power line worker from Wilmington, NC died. (click here) The family was unclear as to why, but, the doctor's reports said it was the heart. He left a wife and children behind. He will be missed. They didn't come any nicer a person.
Life is still not back to normal for many people in Wilmington. I read the recent letter from the Chancellor at UNCW and the school had sustained $140 million in damages. The university has support from many, including alumni to try to bring the campus back. It takes time.
That’s is a lot of damage. Those buildings were fairly new and built like fortresses. I haven’t seen the campus since Florence, but, I cannot imagine $140 million in damage. There were many buildings erected within the past 15 years and built to last 100 years. The entire campus must have been devastated. There were four maintenance men that stayed during the hurricane. They probably have stories to tell.
Nov. 2, 2018
By Robert Schroeder
...“In one line: Solid across the board, (click here) though hard to read the trends behind the weather noise.” — Ian Shepherdson, chief economist, Pantheon Macroeconomics
Jason Furman, who ran the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama, said he didn’t see anything bad in the October numbers, citing strong wage growth and a bounce-back in job growth from last month....
By Robert Schroeder
...“In one line: Solid across the board, (click here) though hard to read the trends behind the weather noise.” — Ian Shepherdson, chief economist, Pantheon Macroeconomics
Jason Furman, who ran the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama, said he didn’t see anything bad in the October numbers, citing strong wage growth and a bounce-back in job growth from last month....
DEA: spike in drug deaths led by opioids
November 2, 2018
By Bart Jansen
Washington – Prescription drugs (click here) including opioids were responsible for the most overdose deaths of any illicit drugs since 2001, according to a report the Drug Enforcement Administration released Friday.
In addition, heroin-related deaths nearly doubled from 2013 to 2016, a trend exacerbated by the mixing of heroin with fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, the report said. Drug traffickers are disguising opioids as counterfeit prescriptions, in a marketing strategy, the report said.
“This report underscores the scope and magnitude of the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States,” Acting DEA Administrator Uttam Dhillon said in a statement.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the report confirmed that transnational drug cartels and foreign drug labs working with street gangs are flooding communities with heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamines.
While the 164-page DEA report covered statistics mostly through 2016, preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that overdose deaths began to decline last year, with opioid prescriptions falling significantly, he said....
By Bart Jansen
Washington – Prescription drugs (click here) including opioids were responsible for the most overdose deaths of any illicit drugs since 2001, according to a report the Drug Enforcement Administration released Friday.
In addition, heroin-related deaths nearly doubled from 2013 to 2016, a trend exacerbated by the mixing of heroin with fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, the report said. Drug traffickers are disguising opioids as counterfeit prescriptions, in a marketing strategy, the report said.
“This report underscores the scope and magnitude of the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States,” Acting DEA Administrator Uttam Dhillon said in a statement.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the report confirmed that transnational drug cartels and foreign drug labs working with street gangs are flooding communities with heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamines.
While the 164-page DEA report covered statistics mostly through 2016, preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that overdose deaths began to decline last year, with opioid prescriptions falling significantly, he said....
The Debt Ceiling hasn't been an issue for the past two years. There is a reason.
On December 9, 2017, (click here) the outstanding debt subject to limit was at the statutory debt limit. The following business day, Secretary Steven Mnuchin notified Congress of his determination that a “debt issuance suspension period” (DISP) would begin on or after December 11, 2017, and last until January 31, 2018. On January 30, 2018, the Secretary determined the DISP would continue through February 28, 2018. On February 9, 2018, the President signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-123), temporarily suspending the statutory debt limit through March 1, 2019, rendering further use of extraordinary measures unnecessary....
Trump and his Republican Congress didn't want the debt ceiling to be an issue.
They suspended it.
Marsha Blackburn is no friend to women that have faced sexual assault (rape).
March 4, 2018
By Annie-Rose Strasser and Josh Isreal
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) (click here) on Monday openly admitted that she opposed the latest reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) because it included protections for LGBT, Native American, and undocumented victims of domestic violence....
She is in Big Pharma's back pocket. She is not only a Washington insider, she is the leader of the Washington insiders.
July 12, 2018
By Dudley Taylor
Anyone watching (click here) the U.S. House of Representatives over the last few weeks would be hard pressed not to notice the flurry of activity on bills related to the ongoing opioid crisis.
In total, House committees tossed out 90 bills that members of Congress – led by Tennessee Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn — then touted in a stream of press releases as the silver-bullet remedies for American families ravaged by opioid addiction.
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to politics in an election year.
The stark reality is that Blackburn has led a large group of our elected officials in Washington that are bought and paid for by the opioid industry....
Unintended consequences? This is the type of legislation she is writing? Why would anyone trust her?
September 2, 2018
By Waylon Cunningham
Senate candidate (click here) and Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee did not author the legislation that critics say has weakened the Drug Enforcement Agency’s ability to combat the opioid crisis, but she did co-sponsor and forcefully advocate for it on the House floor.
Her stance in recent months has been more demurred.
At a Nashville summit on the opioid crisis held last week and pressed on the matter, Blackburn said any negative impacts to the DEA caused by the bill were “unintended consequences.”...
Marsha Blackburn was against any involvement with the Opioid Crisis, probably made is worse, until Trump made an issue of it on the campaign trail.
Marsha Blackburn was against it before she was for it. She is untrustworthy. $he is untrustworthy no matter the issue.
March 15, 2018
Washington - Today Congressman Marsha Blackburn, (click here) as the lead sponsor, introduced the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 2.0 with Representatives Tim Ryan (OH), Tom MacArthuer (NJ), and Ann Kuster (NH). This updated version of CARA will authorize approximately $1 billion in new funding to fight the opioid war and increases criminal penalties on manufacturers that don’t report suspicious orders or keep proper diversion protocols in place. In addition, it places a three day limit on initial prescriptions for acute pain, provides enhanced first responder training and funds the expansion of specialized courts to treat our nation’s ill-served Veterans. This bill will serve as the House companion to bipartisan legislation recently introduced by Senator Rob Portman (OH)....
Trump and his Republican Congress didn't want the debt ceiling to be an issue.
They suspended it.
Marsha Blackburn is no friend to women that have faced sexual assault (rape).
March 4, 2018
By Annie-Rose Strasser and Josh Isreal
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) (click here) on Monday openly admitted that she opposed the latest reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) because it included protections for LGBT, Native American, and undocumented victims of domestic violence....
She is in Big Pharma's back pocket. She is not only a Washington insider, she is the leader of the Washington insiders.
July 12, 2018
By Dudley Taylor
Anyone watching (click here) the U.S. House of Representatives over the last few weeks would be hard pressed not to notice the flurry of activity on bills related to the ongoing opioid crisis.
In total, House committees tossed out 90 bills that members of Congress – led by Tennessee Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn — then touted in a stream of press releases as the silver-bullet remedies for American families ravaged by opioid addiction.
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to politics in an election year.
The stark reality is that Blackburn has led a large group of our elected officials in Washington that are bought and paid for by the opioid industry....
Unintended consequences? This is the type of legislation she is writing? Why would anyone trust her?
September 2, 2018
By Waylon Cunningham
Senate candidate (click here) and Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee did not author the legislation that critics say has weakened the Drug Enforcement Agency’s ability to combat the opioid crisis, but she did co-sponsor and forcefully advocate for it on the House floor.
Her stance in recent months has been more demurred.
At a Nashville summit on the opioid crisis held last week and pressed on the matter, Blackburn said any negative impacts to the DEA caused by the bill were “unintended consequences.”...
Marsha Blackburn was against any involvement with the Opioid Crisis, probably made is worse, until Trump made an issue of it on the campaign trail.
Marsha Blackburn was against it before she was for it. She is untrustworthy. $he is untrustworthy no matter the issue.
March 15, 2018
Washington - Today Congressman Marsha Blackburn, (click here) as the lead sponsor, introduced the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 2.0 with Representatives Tim Ryan (OH), Tom MacArthuer (NJ), and Ann Kuster (NH). This updated version of CARA will authorize approximately $1 billion in new funding to fight the opioid war and increases criminal penalties on manufacturers that don’t report suspicious orders or keep proper diversion protocols in place. In addition, it places a three day limit on initial prescriptions for acute pain, provides enhanced first responder training and funds the expansion of specialized courts to treat our nation’s ill-served Veterans. This bill will serve as the House companion to bipartisan legislation recently introduced by Senator Rob Portman (OH)....
Vice President Pence should not be stereotyping the Stars of film and television.
To begin the MOVIE INDUSTRY has made important films that provide jobs to local citizens in nearly every state in the country. In addition, the people involved in politics are Americans who happen to be popular on screen and television. Television is such an outdated word, too. But, to demonize Oprah Winfrey is just plain wrong and it won't get him votes he wants for the candidates he is endorsing.
These people that are very talented and bring entertainment to the public are global citizens that bring the best of the USA to audiences everywhere. Foreign countries love to mimic the USA's film industry. It provides profit to the country and adds to the GDP, but, "Going to the Movies," is a Middle Class comfort and provides a venue for the development of a wide range of emotions. It is the only place I know where a child can take a ride on a train to the North Pole.
So, I value these people. They are incredibly talented and their fame did not happen overnight. If Oprah knocked on my door, I would pledge to vote but also let her know how much she is valued in such a door to door effort, how brave she is to step into the political arena and while I had her attention I'd tell her exactly what is occurring in my day to day life that just isn't fair.
Vice President Pence is making big mistakes by defaming people that love this country and it's people.
...Even so, (click here) the film-going public, as well as the motion picture artistic community, demands authenticity. While going on the road comes with a price, there is no substitute for the screen-filling landscapes in Arizona and Utah that made westerns such as “The Searchers” unforgettable, or the gritty docks operated by longshoremen in Hoboken, New Jersey, that made “On the Waterfront” a classic. The film industry’s need for genuine locations also means more dollars in state coffers.
These people that are very talented and bring entertainment to the public are global citizens that bring the best of the USA to audiences everywhere. Foreign countries love to mimic the USA's film industry. It provides profit to the country and adds to the GDP, but, "Going to the Movies," is a Middle Class comfort and provides a venue for the development of a wide range of emotions. It is the only place I know where a child can take a ride on a train to the North Pole.
So, I value these people. They are incredibly talented and their fame did not happen overnight. If Oprah knocked on my door, I would pledge to vote but also let her know how much she is valued in such a door to door effort, how brave she is to step into the political arena and while I had her attention I'd tell her exactly what is occurring in my day to day life that just isn't fair.
Vice President Pence is making big mistakes by defaming people that love this country and it's people.
...Even so, (click here) the film-going public, as well as the motion picture artistic community, demands authenticity. While going on the road comes with a price, there is no substitute for the screen-filling landscapes in Arizona and Utah that made westerns such as “The Searchers” unforgettable, or the gritty docks operated by longshoremen in Hoboken, New Jersey, that made “On the Waterfront” a classic. The film industry’s need for genuine locations also means more dollars in state coffers.
Each state has unique characteristics that make it attractive to filmmakers, and with that in mind, 24/7 Wall St. has tapped various resources to find out what is the best movie filmed in every state.
If Donald Trump is bemoaning his interruptions to his campaigning agenda he should end his hateful rhetoric that drives his base into violence against "the other."
I might point out this reality. Candidates for president of this country are on the road at times for two years after they announce. Poor Donald has to make a choice between his road campaign and the attention the president should give to the Executive Branch.
I think these weeks of campaigning is his reflection on that reality. He says he wants to help Republican candidates. I think it is his way of campaigning, period.
He is so toxic a personality, he will probably be challenged for the RNC nomination, even as an incumbent.
I might point out this reality. Candidates for president of this country are on the road at times for two years after they announce. Poor Donald has to make a choice between his road campaign and the attention the president should give to the Executive Branch.
I think these weeks of campaigning is his reflection on that reality. He says he wants to help Republican candidates. I think it is his way of campaigning, period.
He is so toxic a personality, he will probably be challenged for the RNC nomination, even as an incumbent.
A Texas woman stated she is voting for Cruz because he has memorized the US Constitution. I could not find a You Tube where he recites it.
Ted Cruz is no different than any other Texas government lawyers, he loses most of the cases he tries. He won two and had mixed results with another of the nine arguments at the Supreme Court. He completely lost six of the extremist agenda of Texas government.
The Republicans have been running on the Supreme Court at least for two years. The Texas government is so oppressing that it is among the most impoverished state in the country with a lack of sincere sophistication. I believe Texas still has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy rather than having many Planned Parenthood office in the state to help young men and women decide their path into economic security.
March 3, 2016
By Robert Farley
The Republicans have been running on the Supreme Court at least for two years. The Texas government is so oppressing that it is among the most impoverished state in the country with a lack of sincere sophistication. I believe Texas still has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy rather than having many Planned Parenthood office in the state to help young men and women decide their path into economic security.
March 3, 2016
By Robert Farley
An ad from a pro-Ted Cruz (click here) super PAC says, “Ted Cruz argued nine cases in front of the Supreme Court, and won.” He did not win all nine cases, as the ad implies.
We’ll get into the details of each of the cases, but here’s the CliffsNotes version: Cruz won two cases, and the rest were either losses or partial victories....
Why did the people charged in the Mueller investigation turn to Russia?
What impresses me about the Mueller investigation is the change in the person being interviewed after the session.
Every person that has been interviewed by the Mueller investigation becomes a far more humble person after their interview. That has been true with all the "Trump Tough Guys," including Paul Manafort. It seems to me these folks have some kind of public/business image to protect and project their best tough guy image at the beginning of their involvement with the Mueller team. After their interview their posture changes and they realize they have been playing with their citizenship in the USA in a way that endangers the country.
Most Americans, with the exception of the members of the US Military, take their citizenship for granted. The USA is a great country. Most Americans don't realize how incredible a country it is when it comes to the rights of it's citizens. That is not to say the USA is exceptional in that reality, most of our allies have similar, if not equal to, freedoms in their country. That reality in many ways is ensured by our military as well. But, when it comes to confronting "the law" it is a real eye-opener. I think that is especially true with the wealthy.
Americans can accumulate wealth without question or exception. That can blind an American to the day to day struggle experienced by so many others. That is their right. It is their right to be comfortable and distant. But, when something becomes evident they have violated a law of one kind or another and take their guilt lightly, there is an awakening that is more than interesting when it finally hits home.
One by one the interviewees of the "Donald Scandals," including those of Southern New York, have their moments when the reality is faced after their lawyers' state everything they can do has been done. The most recent scandal is surfacing with Roger Stone. He is belligerent and hiding in the corner behind lawyers so it will be interesting to realize he may also have that full reality of the weight of "the law" once he faces his interview.
I have no doubt the interview is something to be feared. It is probably very weighty and the reality of it while within it can be alarming.
Read the emails:
November 1, 2018
By Michael S. Schmidt, Mark Mazzetti, Maggie Haberman and Sharon LaFraniere
Newly revealed messages (click here) show how the political operative Roger J. Stone Jr. sold himself to Trump campaign advisers as a potential conduit to WikiLeaks, which published thousands of emails in 2016 damaging to Hillary Clinton’s campaign....
Roger Stone came forward. No one solicited his services. Why? Why would he come forward with an agenda that was to assault the political process of the USA? Why, Russia? I find that an overwhelming character of this investigation, these folks were involved deeply with communists. Why?
Every person that has been interviewed by the Mueller investigation becomes a far more humble person after their interview. That has been true with all the "Trump Tough Guys," including Paul Manafort. It seems to me these folks have some kind of public/business image to protect and project their best tough guy image at the beginning of their involvement with the Mueller team. After their interview their posture changes and they realize they have been playing with their citizenship in the USA in a way that endangers the country.
Most Americans, with the exception of the members of the US Military, take their citizenship for granted. The USA is a great country. Most Americans don't realize how incredible a country it is when it comes to the rights of it's citizens. That is not to say the USA is exceptional in that reality, most of our allies have similar, if not equal to, freedoms in their country. That reality in many ways is ensured by our military as well. But, when it comes to confronting "the law" it is a real eye-opener. I think that is especially true with the wealthy.
Americans can accumulate wealth without question or exception. That can blind an American to the day to day struggle experienced by so many others. That is their right. It is their right to be comfortable and distant. But, when something becomes evident they have violated a law of one kind or another and take their guilt lightly, there is an awakening that is more than interesting when it finally hits home.
One by one the interviewees of the "Donald Scandals," including those of Southern New York, have their moments when the reality is faced after their lawyers' state everything they can do has been done. The most recent scandal is surfacing with Roger Stone. He is belligerent and hiding in the corner behind lawyers so it will be interesting to realize he may also have that full reality of the weight of "the law" once he faces his interview.
I have no doubt the interview is something to be feared. It is probably very weighty and the reality of it while within it can be alarming.
Read the emails:
November 1, 2018
By Michael S. Schmidt, Mark Mazzetti, Maggie Haberman and Sharon LaFraniere
Newly revealed messages (click here) show how the political operative Roger J. Stone Jr. sold himself to Trump campaign advisers as a potential conduit to WikiLeaks, which published thousands of emails in 2016 damaging to Hillary Clinton’s campaign....
Roger Stone came forward. No one solicited his services. Why? Why would he come forward with an agenda that was to assault the political process of the USA? Why, Russia? I find that an overwhelming character of this investigation, these folks were involved deeply with communists. Why?
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