February 15, 2017
...Board President Luke Deardorff (click here) introduced a non-binding proclamation that
states the district plans to level the building at 3622 Woodland St.
and turn the six-acre space over to the city of Ames to be used as a
park. In agreement with the school board, the Edwards Neighborhood
Association has been raising money to assist the district in paying for
the building's demolition, which will cost in the neighborhood of
$450,000....
A half a million dollars is a lot of money for any city. Democrats need to be heroes and not zeros!
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Whether it is blind greed or a hate for the country it is still treason.
February 15, 2017
By Kurt Eichenwald
As part of intelligence operations (click here) being conducted against the United States for the last seven months, at least one Western European ally intercepted a series of communications before the inauguration between advisers associated with President Donald Trump and Russian government officials, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation....
A candidate can win the White House through a popular vote, but, then he has to govern. Just because he opposed TPP and the American people loved it doesn't mean he can deal with Russia under the table or otherwise and get away with it. This is not the election anymore, this is governance.
We can't have allies that don't trust us and intelligence agencies concealing information from the Executive Branch because they are worried about leaks. The leaks evidently aren't coming from ghosts so much as the Chairman of the Party.
There is too much self-righteousness in the Ultra White and it shows. They don't play by the same rules as everyone else and now they are treating the USA as a vehicle and not a country.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Among the winning photos from the "World Press."
Riot police clear marchers from a secondary road outside a Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) worker camp using rubber bullets, pepper spray, tasers and arrests in Cannon Ball, North Dakota, US, November 15, 2016. In other incidents they've employed militarized vehicles, water canons, tear gas and have been accused of using percussion grenades. [Photo by Amber Bracken/Courtesy of World Press Photo Foundation via VCG]
China is taking criticism of human rights abuses seriously.
For a very long time one of the criticisms of the Chinese government has been it's human rights record. The prisons and prisoners were always a concern of the international community. Now, lawyers in China want better opportunity to represent the poor.
I hope the Chinese government takes these dedicated and moral lawyers seriously and establishes funding for representation of all those taken prisoner.
February 15, 2017
By Capo Yin
A lack of defense lawyers (click here) means many people are appearing in court without adequate legal representation. Cao Yin reports.
Lawyers and legal experts are calling on the government to expand the provision of legal aid to a larger number of defendants and provide better funding to encourage more lawyers to accept criminal defense cases.
The ongoing efforts to improve the rule of law have resulted in a number of wrongful convictions being overturned, including that of Chen Man, who was sentenced to 23 years for murder. In February last year, the appeals court ruled that the evidence brought against Chen was circumstantial and that his involvement in the murder could not be proved beyond doubt.
The quashing of Chen's conviction was a boost for his lawyer, Wang Wanqiong. "My job is to play a bigger role in upholding justice," she said.
Following Chen's release, Wang's phone rang continually as people called in the hope of obtaining legal advice or persuading her to defend them in court.
"I could feel the trust the defendants and the judicial officers placed in me, which gave me a real sense of achievement," she said....
I hope the Chinese government takes these dedicated and moral lawyers seriously and establishes funding for representation of all those taken prisoner.
February 15, 2017
By Capo Yin
A lack of defense lawyers (click here) means many people are appearing in court without adequate legal representation. Cao Yin reports.
Lawyers and legal experts are calling on the government to expand the provision of legal aid to a larger number of defendants and provide better funding to encourage more lawyers to accept criminal defense cases.
The ongoing efforts to improve the rule of law have resulted in a number of wrongful convictions being overturned, including that of Chen Man, who was sentenced to 23 years for murder. In February last year, the appeals court ruled that the evidence brought against Chen was circumstantial and that his involvement in the murder could not be proved beyond doubt.
The quashing of Chen's conviction was a boost for his lawyer, Wang Wanqiong. "My job is to play a bigger role in upholding justice," she said.
Following Chen's release, Wang's phone rang continually as people called in the hope of obtaining legal advice or persuading her to defend them in court.
"I could feel the trust the defendants and the judicial officers placed in me, which gave me a real sense of achievement," she said....
New Zealand is burning. Homes have been destroyed in Christchurch.
Live Blog (click here)
February 16, 2017
Anxious Christchurch residents (click here) evacuated from their Port Hills homes overnight are urgently trying to check whether their homes are still standing....
...Chas Muir, 65, was evacuated from his Harry Ell Drive home near the Sign of the Takahe about 9pm.
"From the Sign of the Takahe you could see it was really close, stretching right down the gully, to the new Adventure Park and to Kennedys Bush, you could see it go on for miles," Muir said....
February 16, 2017
Anxious Christchurch residents (click here) evacuated from their Port Hills homes overnight are urgently trying to check whether their homes are still standing....
...Chas Muir, 65, was evacuated from his Harry Ell Drive home near the Sign of the Takahe about 9pm.
"From the Sign of the Takahe you could see it was really close, stretching right down the gully, to the new Adventure Park and to Kennedys Bush, you could see it go on for miles," Muir said....
Palestinians require a two state solution.
She states, "We shouldn't judge people through the prism of our own stereotypes."
February 15, 2017
By Reuters
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (click here) warned on Wednesday against abandoning the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying there was "no alternative."
"There is no alternative solution for the situation between the Palestinians and Israelis, other than the solution of establishing two states and we should do all that can be done to maintain this," Guterres said during a visit to Cairo.
The UN chief's comments came after Trump administration officials suggested that peace between the parties might be possible in another framework.
On the eve of Trump's first official meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a senior White House official said it was up to the Israelis and Palestinians themselves to decide on the shape of any future peace.Meanwhile, the Palestinians have warned the United States against abandoning a two-state solution....
Someone didn't get 'the word' that "Nam' was allowed a life.
He was kinda cute in a North Korean sort of way. I am sorry he never got to "Tokyo Disneyland." He liked The West.
February 15, 2017
By Ju-min Park
Seoul (Reuters) - Five years ago, Kim Jong Nam, (click here) the half-brother of North Korea's ruler, pleaded with his younger sibling to spare his life, according to two lawmakers in South Korea.
He wrote a letter to Kim Jong Un, who took power after their father Kim Jong Il died in December 2011, and asked him to withdraw a standing order for his assassination, according to the lawmakers, who were briefed by South Korea's spy agency....
The Trump presidency is untrustworthy.
Vladimir Putin may want to save the tigers from extinction, but, he would never enter a cage with one.
February 15, 2017
By Aaron Blake
The New York Times and CNN (click here) are both reporting that members of Donald Trump's campaign spoke with Russia frequently during the campaign.
February 15, 2017
By Aaron Blake
The New York Times and CNN (click here) are both reporting that members of Donald Trump's campaign spoke with Russia frequently during the campaign.
It's worth noting that their reporting includes significant caveats. Most importantly, it's not clear these discussions involved the campaign. The Times says the contacts were with “Russian intelligence officials,” while CNN says it was with “Russian nationals known to U.S. intelligence.” And, as the Times notes, “it is not unusual for American businessmen to come in contact with foreign intelligence officials, sometimes unwittingly, in countries like Russia and Ukraine, where the spy services are deeply embedded in society.”...
There will be inevitable war between the USA and Russia. That is a fact, the only question is how many will die?
"W" did a terrible thing. He invaded an unarmed country and set up housekeeping for oil. What does Russia have the most of?
Since March 19 - 20 of 2003 the world was on alert of a "One Superpower" paradigm in the world. Every country in the world assessed it's ability to defend itself. Today we are faced with a growing willingness of countries to unhinge treaties and move into war to resolve the paradigm created by "W"'s presidency.
Is Vladimir Putin a genius strategist? Good question. He has kept Russia alive and somewhat thriving since the USSR collapsed. In some ways I don't even now if assessing Putin is important so much as assessing the large states within Russia and their leadership.
See, the one question that The West must answer is whether or not there is political will within Russian leadership to follow Putin into war with The West. If the answer is further collapse of Russia, then there is no major war in anyone's future. But, if Putin has been able to make nationalism stick so there is political will to destroy The West then there is a major issue.
Even if Putin has no political will within Russian leadership for a war with The West, there is nothing stopping him from a nuclear engagement. He has already threatened same when they first destroyed the treaty of Ukraine.
It is obvious and The West is stupid to ignore it, Russia is on the move. Russia is breaking treaties and moving forward with an agenda of occupation where it can. Russia is dangerous right now. But, can it destroy The West? Not likely, but, it could serve a blow to countries that would create a far different world than we have today. Russia would not go unscathed. Russians would pay a dear price for a president without reassurances of survival of the Russian people.
This is fact. President Obama attempted to reverse the foolishness of "W." He reached out to countries around Earth that the USA has never engaged before and placed hope where there was none. He instilled the idea that peace can be obtained and all people could have a better quality of life and ultimately happiness. Barak Obama believed that and so do I, but, with another Neocon in the White House there is little hope for peace so much as isolationism.
I think the global community has many challenges and all the hope seeded by Obama can be gone in a flash of a nuclear explosion. It can happen within seconds from now and we will be in a very different world.
Donald Trump is not capable of leading the USA in such a world.
There will be inevitable war between the USA and Russia. That is a fact, the only question is how many will die?
"W" did a terrible thing. He invaded an unarmed country and set up housekeeping for oil. What does Russia have the most of?
Since March 19 - 20 of 2003 the world was on alert of a "One Superpower" paradigm in the world. Every country in the world assessed it's ability to defend itself. Today we are faced with a growing willingness of countries to unhinge treaties and move into war to resolve the paradigm created by "W"'s presidency.
Is Vladimir Putin a genius strategist? Good question. He has kept Russia alive and somewhat thriving since the USSR collapsed. In some ways I don't even now if assessing Putin is important so much as assessing the large states within Russia and their leadership.
See, the one question that The West must answer is whether or not there is political will within Russian leadership to follow Putin into war with The West. If the answer is further collapse of Russia, then there is no major war in anyone's future. But, if Putin has been able to make nationalism stick so there is political will to destroy The West then there is a major issue.
Even if Putin has no political will within Russian leadership for a war with The West, there is nothing stopping him from a nuclear engagement. He has already threatened same when they first destroyed the treaty of Ukraine.
It is obvious and The West is stupid to ignore it, Russia is on the move. Russia is breaking treaties and moving forward with an agenda of occupation where it can. Russia is dangerous right now. But, can it destroy The West? Not likely, but, it could serve a blow to countries that would create a far different world than we have today. Russia would not go unscathed. Russians would pay a dear price for a president without reassurances of survival of the Russian people.
This is fact. President Obama attempted to reverse the foolishness of "W." He reached out to countries around Earth that the USA has never engaged before and placed hope where there was none. He instilled the idea that peace can be obtained and all people could have a better quality of life and ultimately happiness. Barak Obama believed that and so do I, but, with another Neocon in the White House there is little hope for peace so much as isolationism.
I think the global community has many challenges and all the hope seeded by Obama can be gone in a flash of a nuclear explosion. It can happen within seconds from now and we will be in a very different world.
Donald Trump is not capable of leading the USA in such a world.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Somebody finally said it.
Is there anything that isn't ground breaking about Beyonce. People object to the fact she is not body conscience. She eliminates the idea modesty is the best policy and anything else is a whore. She embraces the black woman's body and places it front and center to the culture of her music.
White Bread USA is not ready for that and will never be ready for that. Politics is still inappropriately involved with the American culture. In that is the understanding sexy women get pregnant and abortions. So, a woman who is completely comfortable with her body is faced with a political undertone in other music that secretly wants "Burkas for All."
Beyonce is amazing. Her culture is amazing. She is a powerful woman and brings her faith with her as an icon.
February 14, 2017
Arianna Davis
Backstage at the 2017 Grammy awards, (click here) after reluctantly accepting the Album of the Year honor for her album 25, Adele told me and a group of other journalists why she felt Beyoncé was more deserving of the award for her latest record, Lemonade. “I felt like it was her time to win," Adele said, face flushed, hands flying. "What the fuck does she have to do to win album of the year?”
25 is an excellent album, a solid, lovely, and at times goosebump-raising project from a singer with one of the greatest voices of our time. But while 25 is excellent, Lemonade is groundbreaking....
...Many viewers were shocked when Lemonade lost to 25. I, for one, was disappointed, but not surprised. Why? Because at the end of the day, for all of her fame and fortune, album sales, and accolades, Beyoncé is still a Black woman. And the unfortunate reality is that in the eyes of some people, she will simply never be as good as her white peers....
White Bread USA is not ready for that and will never be ready for that. Politics is still inappropriately involved with the American culture. In that is the understanding sexy women get pregnant and abortions. So, a woman who is completely comfortable with her body is faced with a political undertone in other music that secretly wants "Burkas for All."
Beyonce is amazing. Her culture is amazing. She is a powerful woman and brings her faith with her as an icon.
February 14, 2017Arianna Davis
Backstage at the 2017 Grammy awards, (click here) after reluctantly accepting the Album of the Year honor for her album 25, Adele told me and a group of other journalists why she felt Beyoncé was more deserving of the award for her latest record, Lemonade. “I felt like it was her time to win," Adele said, face flushed, hands flying. "What the fuck does she have to do to win album of the year?”
25 is an excellent album, a solid, lovely, and at times goosebump-raising project from a singer with one of the greatest voices of our time. But while 25 is excellent, Lemonade is groundbreaking....
...Many viewers were shocked when Lemonade lost to 25. I, for one, was disappointed, but not surprised. Why? Because at the end of the day, for all of her fame and fortune, album sales, and accolades, Beyoncé is still a Black woman. And the unfortunate reality is that in the eyes of some people, she will simply never be as good as her white peers....
This is so laughable.
In 2009-2010 the health care companies twisted Joe Lieberman's Connecticut arm to prevent "The Public Option" from occurring. So, in order to pass the healthcare law "The Public Option" was eliminated.
February 14, 2017
By Bertha Coombs
..."Based on our initial analysis of data (click here) associated with the company's health-care exchange membership following the 2017 open enrollment period, we continue to see further signs of an unbalanced risk pool," said Humana CEO Bruce Broussard, on a conference call with analysts Tuesday. "Therefore, the company has decided that it cannot continue to offer this coverage for 2018."...
Now, Humana first wanted an anti-trust merger to control it's costs. Anti-trust, also known as "No Competition," was suppose to work to save the company's interest in the individual market.
Well, here we are now in 2017 and there is no "Public Option" and Humana can't stand the strain of the unbalanced pools. See, the individual policies are interesting enough if it can be placed over a wider pool of subscribers. Dilute the liability and increase income. But, when a merger to bring more assets vs costs involves two huge insurance companies it is unworkable. The facts are clear, "The Public Option" had it's place.
The truth is "The Public Option" still has it's place, only today it is called "Medicare for all." It is where Bernie Sanders stated the country would have to go to insure all the citizens of the USA. People who do not have access to individual markets for whatever reason they don't should be given the option of Medicare. They can still apply for Medicaid. Medicare is not cheap. New subscribers to Medicare Part B are now paying $150 per month. That is a significant jump from $104 per month which had stood as the monthly premium for a long time.
Yes, Medicare and it's parts can be expensive. It is really a joke to hear Republicans talk about Medicare as if it is a gift to citizens over 65. It is not a gift. To begin, people have paid into these funds and it is rightfully their's to have when they qualify. But, the premium costs to Part B is not joke to most seniors. A fee of approximately $150 per months comes to $1800 per year.
Medicare isn't free, except, for Part A. There needs to be a "Medicare for All" option for Americans that do not have individual markets in their state.
S.1782 - American Health Security Act of 2013 (click here)113th Congress (2013-2014)
February 14, 2017
By Bertha Coombs
..."Based on our initial analysis of data (click here) associated with the company's health-care exchange membership following the 2017 open enrollment period, we continue to see further signs of an unbalanced risk pool," said Humana CEO Bruce Broussard, on a conference call with analysts Tuesday. "Therefore, the company has decided that it cannot continue to offer this coverage for 2018."...
Now, Humana first wanted an anti-trust merger to control it's costs. Anti-trust, also known as "No Competition," was suppose to work to save the company's interest in the individual market.
Well, here we are now in 2017 and there is no "Public Option" and Humana can't stand the strain of the unbalanced pools. See, the individual policies are interesting enough if it can be placed over a wider pool of subscribers. Dilute the liability and increase income. But, when a merger to bring more assets vs costs involves two huge insurance companies it is unworkable. The facts are clear, "The Public Option" had it's place.
The truth is "The Public Option" still has it's place, only today it is called "Medicare for all." It is where Bernie Sanders stated the country would have to go to insure all the citizens of the USA. People who do not have access to individual markets for whatever reason they don't should be given the option of Medicare. They can still apply for Medicaid. Medicare is not cheap. New subscribers to Medicare Part B are now paying $150 per month. That is a significant jump from $104 per month which had stood as the monthly premium for a long time.
Yes, Medicare and it's parts can be expensive. It is really a joke to hear Republicans talk about Medicare as if it is a gift to citizens over 65. It is not a gift. To begin, people have paid into these funds and it is rightfully their's to have when they qualify. But, the premium costs to Part B is not joke to most seniors. A fee of approximately $150 per months comes to $1800 per year.
Medicare isn't free, except, for Part A. There needs to be a "Medicare for All" option for Americans that do not have individual markets in their state.
S.1782 - American Health Security Act of 2013 (click here)113th Congress (2013-2014)
(b) Sense Of The Senate Concerning Urgency Of A Medicare-For-All Type Single Payer Health Care System.—It is the sense of the Senate that the 113th Congress should enact a Medicare-for-All Single Payer Health Care System to make American companies more competitive and to stimulate job creation.
They got him. They finally got him.
By Nate Raymond
New York (Reuters) - A New York City jury (click here) on Tuesday found a former delicatessen worker guilty of murdering Etan Patz, a six-year-old boy whose disappearance in 1979 raised national awareness of the plight of abducted children and their parents.
The conviction of Pedro Hernandez, 56, came during his second trial in state court. It followed a 2015 mistrial that occurred after a single juror refused to go along with 11 other panelists who were convinced of his guilt.
The boy vanished as he walked alone to a school bus stop in the city's SoHo neighbourhood on May 25, 1979 and for decades was one of New York's most infamous unsolved mysteries.
The Congress better get serious about the country!
February 13, 2017
By Philip Bump
...Sunday night, (click here) CNN reported details of the moment that Trump, joined by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, learned about a missile launch in North Korea. Trump and Abe were enjoying dinner at Trump’s exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida at the time, but, CNN reported, began to discuss the details of this international incident right there at their table.
“As Mar-a-Lago’s wealthy members looked on from their tables, and with a keyboard player crooning in the background,” CNN’s Kevin Liptak reported, “Trump and Abe’s evening meal quickly morphed into a strategy session, the decision-making on full view to fellow diners, who described it in detail to CNN.”
Earlier in the week, Trump had been criticized for leaving intelligence documents vulnerable to people without security clearance. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) noticed that the president kept the key in a secured bag while hosting people in the Oval Office, which is a bit like leaving your house keys in your front door while you’re having a party in your backyard. There’s no indication that anyone saw anything confidential in this incident, but this, Heinrich suggested, was “Classified 101.”...
This is the country, not some Plutocratic play toy!
February 14, 2017
By Sean Sullivan, Karoun Demirjan and Paul Kane
Top Republican senators (click here) said Tuesday that they expect Congress to investigate the circumstances leading up to the resignation of Michael Flynn as President Trump’s national security adviser, opening a new and potentially uncomfortable chapter in the uneasy relationship between Trump and congressional Republicans.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters it is “highly likely” the Senate Intelligence Committee will want to examine the matter as part of a broader probe into Russian meddling in the United States political system — a sensitive topic that has lingered over Republicans since Trump’s election victory....
There better be a thorough investigation! I don't think this is funny. Putin is threatening the USA over Flynn!
McCain, this country better be protected. Trump hasn't got a clue.
February 14, 2017
by
A Russian spy ship (click here) is reportedly patrolling off the coast of Delaware, according to Fox News
The SSV-175 Viktor Leonov ship was 70 miles off the coast of Delaware – in international waters – heading north, officials told Fox News.
CBS News national security correspondent David Martin says the ship made a port call in Cuba and has been working its way up the east coast.
It is expected to continue north until it gets to the sub base at New London, Conn., then turn around and head south toward Cuba....
The SSV-175 Viktor Leonov has visited Cuba before, but, this close to the USA is unusual. Putin if feeling rather emboldened. Where are our subs? Anywhere, but, home? Well, I don't feel like having Russia park it's missile subs offshore while they hold the country hostage. And don't tell me it isn't on the way. Putin has plans and it not only includes Ukraine, it includes this country.
Right now, NATO should be letting Russia know there is plenty to worry about.
AND.
That Putin is not in control. Vladimir should be rather worried at his confidence in outcomes.
Putin is stepping up the conflict to war. There is no peace intended by Russia. Putin is counting on the USA hiding behind treaties for political purposes. It is way beyond that and Trump is a Putin puppet. Putin reference to Trump winning avoids nuclear war is because Putin plans on invading the USA while it waves a white flag; Clinton would confront Putin head on. Putin means it. He is planning on a nuclear strike.
If Russia, China, Pakistan and North Korea all fire their missiles as a first strike it would be to attempt to overwhelm the USA with damage. NATO and the USA needs to be upping it's game as much as we hate it. I doubt if China would ever want war, but, would be dragged into it.
The Non-Proliferation Treaty is being taken seriously or not. It is time the United Nations bring it to the forefront.
February 14, 2017
by Michael Gordon
Washington — Russia has secretly deployed a new cruise missile (click here) that American officials say violates a landmark arms control treaty, posing a major test for President Trump as his administration is facing a crisis over its ties to Moscow.
The new Russian missile deployment also comes as the Trump administration is struggling to fill key policy positions at the State Department and the Pentagon — and to settle on a permanent replacement for Michael T. Flynn, the national security adviser who resigned late Monday. Mr. Flynn stepped down after it was revealed that he had misled the vice president and other officials over conversations with Moscow’s ambassador to Washington.
The ground-launched cruise missile at the center of American concerns is one that the Obama administration said in 2014 had been tested in violation of a 1987 treaty that bans American and Russian intermediate-range missiles based on land.
The Obama administration had sought to persuade the Russians to correct the violation while the missile was still in the test phase. Instead, the Russians have moved ahead with the system, deploying a fully operational unit....
Top Republican senators (click here) said Tuesday that they expect Congress to investigate the circumstances leading up to the resignation of Michael Flynn as President Trump’s national security adviser, opening a new and potentially uncomfortable chapter in the uneasy relationship between Trump and congressional Republicans.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters it is “highly likely” the Senate Intelligence Committee will want to examine the matter as part of a broader probe into Russian meddling in the United States political system — a sensitive topic that has lingered over Republicans since Trump’s election victory....
There better be a thorough investigation! I don't think this is funny. Putin is threatening the USA over Flynn!
McCain, this country better be protected. Trump hasn't got a clue.
by
A Russian spy ship (click here) is reportedly patrolling off the coast of Delaware, according to Fox News
The SSV-175 Viktor Leonov ship was 70 miles off the coast of Delaware – in international waters – heading north, officials told Fox News.
CBS News national security correspondent David Martin says the ship made a port call in Cuba and has been working its way up the east coast.
It is expected to continue north until it gets to the sub base at New London, Conn., then turn around and head south toward Cuba....
The SSV-175 Viktor Leonov has visited Cuba before, but, this close to the USA is unusual. Putin if feeling rather emboldened. Where are our subs? Anywhere, but, home? Well, I don't feel like having Russia park it's missile subs offshore while they hold the country hostage. And don't tell me it isn't on the way. Putin has plans and it not only includes Ukraine, it includes this country.
Right now, NATO should be letting Russia know there is plenty to worry about.
AND.
That Putin is not in control. Vladimir should be rather worried at his confidence in outcomes.
Putin is stepping up the conflict to war. There is no peace intended by Russia. Putin is counting on the USA hiding behind treaties for political purposes. It is way beyond that and Trump is a Putin puppet. Putin reference to Trump winning avoids nuclear war is because Putin plans on invading the USA while it waves a white flag; Clinton would confront Putin head on. Putin means it. He is planning on a nuclear strike.
If Russia, China, Pakistan and North Korea all fire their missiles as a first strike it would be to attempt to overwhelm the USA with damage. NATO and the USA needs to be upping it's game as much as we hate it. I doubt if China would ever want war, but, would be dragged into it.
The Non-Proliferation Treaty is being taken seriously or not. It is time the United Nations bring it to the forefront.
February 14, 2017
by Michael Gordon
Washington — Russia has secretly deployed a new cruise missile (click here) that American officials say violates a landmark arms control treaty, posing a major test for President Trump as his administration is facing a crisis over its ties to Moscow.
The new Russian missile deployment also comes as the Trump administration is struggling to fill key policy positions at the State Department and the Pentagon — and to settle on a permanent replacement for Michael T. Flynn, the national security adviser who resigned late Monday. Mr. Flynn stepped down after it was revealed that he had misled the vice president and other officials over conversations with Moscow’s ambassador to Washington.
The ground-launched cruise missile at the center of American concerns is one that the Obama administration said in 2014 had been tested in violation of a 1987 treaty that bans American and Russian intermediate-range missiles based on land.
The Obama administration had sought to persuade the Russians to correct the violation while the missile was still in the test phase. Instead, the Russians have moved ahead with the system, deploying a fully operational unit....
How completely naive is Chaffetz statement?
Republicans don't care about this country so long as they have a simpleton answer to the electorate.
February 14, 2017
By Amanda Terkel
House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said Tuesday he will not pursue an investigation into what contacts Michael Flynn had with the Russian government before Donald Trump took office, and whether Flynn then lied about his communications....
Who cares what Flynn said to Putin it was all in the interest of national security. Right? The question is what national security, Russia or the USA?
President Vladimir Putin is a very clever leader that has been in power for a very long time. It is clearly understood, the Russia today is Putin's Russia.
Now, why would a member of Congress look the other way when it comes to a breach in USA security. Just sweep it under the rug, the breach was conducted by Republicans.
This is corruption Mr. Chaffetz has embarked on.
Protect the RNC at all costs, not the shield of the USA.
Protect the RNC at all costs, not the shield of the USA.
There is a new rock in the neighborhood.
It is claimed to be larger than the Empire State Building and NASA has stated it is a worry. It is called 2015 BN 509. It could strike Earth.
13 February 2017
By Jeff Parsons
Earth is potentially at risk (click here) from a peanut-shaped asteroid that's larger than New York's Empire State Building.
The asteroid, labelled 2015 BN509 by NASA, flew past the Earth last week at close to 44,000mph. At its closest point, it was 14 times the distance between the Earth and the moon.
The asteroid measures roughly 200m (660ft) wide and 400m (1,310ft) long.
But the American space agency has labelled it "potentially hazardous" and warned that it could one day strike the Earth.
It was captured on film by the Arecibo Observatory, a giant radio telescope , during its flyby of the Earth. The skyscraper-sized chunk of rock can be clearly seen tumbling through the blackness of space....
13 February 2017
By Jeff Parsons
Earth is potentially at risk (click here) from a peanut-shaped asteroid that's larger than New York's Empire State Building.
The asteroid, labelled 2015 BN509 by NASA, flew past the Earth last week at close to 44,000mph. At its closest point, it was 14 times the distance between the Earth and the moon.
The asteroid measures roughly 200m (660ft) wide and 400m (1,310ft) long.
But the American space agency has labelled it "potentially hazardous" and warned that it could one day strike the Earth.
It was captured on film by the Arecibo Observatory, a giant radio telescope , during its flyby of the Earth. The skyscraper-sized chunk of rock can be clearly seen tumbling through the blackness of space....
Congratulations to "Mother Jones."
What did he tell Moscow while it was meddling in the US election to help Trump? (click here)
February 7, 2017
By Emma Brazilian
New York, however, managed to tie for the most awards won, claiming best Magazine Section (for its “Culture Pages” department), Single-Topic Issue (for the Oct. 3-16 issue, “Eight Years in America”), Video (for “Guns & Empathy”). The New York Times Magazine also won three Ellies: Feature Writing (for “I Have No Choice but to Keep Looking” by Jennifer Percy), Public Interest (for “Worlds Apart” by Nikole Hannah-Jones), and Essays and Criticism (“David’s Ankles” by Sam Anderson).
First-time winners included The Marshall Project (General Excellence in Literature, Science and Politics), Good (Personal Service) and Huffington Post Highline (Multimedia)....
The pay rates should be increasing so healthy economic growth cycles RETURN to the USA.
Chairwoman Yellen stated the job market is tightening, but, was dismayed with the disparity in that reality in minority populations in the USA.
Two things should be happening with a tightening labor market, the pay rates of employees should be increasing to maintain a company's work force. The other incentive to stay with a company is to offer better benefits or vacation time, health insurance or pension. There needs to be some incentive for an employer to provide for a stable work force. That is very good news for the Working Poor to move into the Middle Class in the USA.
It should also be good news for the Middle Class, too. The pay rates will increase to keep in step with higher rates for beginning employees. When the pay rates go up at the bottom of the pay scale, those earning above the lowest wage should see increases as well.
But, more than that is the reality full employment is still out of reach of the minorities in the USA regardless of the unemployment rate.
There should be a government program offered as an incentive to employers to hire minorities. There should also be training programs through unemployment and social services agencies to increase the skill base in areas seeking more employees. The point is the minority issue has been identified and there needs to be a 'no tolerance' policy that provides incentives to hire minorities.
There should also be tax incentives that penalize companies that do not hire minorities. Every company in the USA should have a minority employment standard to meet, otherwise, pay a tax as a penalty. Religious organizations that protect racism and bigotry should be taxed as a penalty as well.
The really good news is the increase in disposable income. As employers have to compete for labor and the wages increase the disposable income to those employees will stimulate economic growth.
February 14, 2017
Two things should be happening with a tightening labor market, the pay rates of employees should be increasing to maintain a company's work force. The other incentive to stay with a company is to offer better benefits or vacation time, health insurance or pension. There needs to be some incentive for an employer to provide for a stable work force. That is very good news for the Working Poor to move into the Middle Class in the USA.
It should also be good news for the Middle Class, too. The pay rates will increase to keep in step with higher rates for beginning employees. When the pay rates go up at the bottom of the pay scale, those earning above the lowest wage should see increases as well.
But, more than that is the reality full employment is still out of reach of the minorities in the USA regardless of the unemployment rate.
There should be a government program offered as an incentive to employers to hire minorities. There should also be training programs through unemployment and social services agencies to increase the skill base in areas seeking more employees. The point is the minority issue has been identified and there needs to be a 'no tolerance' policy that provides incentives to hire minorities.
There should also be tax incentives that penalize companies that do not hire minorities. Every company in the USA should have a minority employment standard to meet, otherwise, pay a tax as a penalty. Religious organizations that protect racism and bigotry should be taxed as a penalty as well.
The really good news is the increase in disposable income. As employers have to compete for labor and the wages increase the disposable income to those employees will stimulate economic growth.
February 14, 2017
By Brendan Murry
Since my appearance before this Committee last June, the economy has continued to make progress toward our dual-mandate objectives of maximum employment and price stability. In the labor market, job gains averaged 190,000 per month over the second half of 2016, and the number of jobs rose an additional 227,000 in January. Those gains bring the total increase in employment since its trough in early 2010 to nearly 16 million. In addition, the unemployment rate, which stood at 4.8 percent in January, is more than 5 percentage points lower than where it stood at its peak in 2010 and is now in line with the median of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) participants’ estimates of its longer-run normal level. A broader measure of labor underutilization, which includes those marginally attached to the labor force and people who are working part time but would like a full-time job, has also continued to improve over the past year. In addition, the pace of wage growth has picked up relative to its pace of a few years ago, a further indication that the job market is tightening. Importantly, improvements in the labor market in recent years have been widespread, with large declines in the unemployment rates for all major demographic groups, including African Americans and Hispanics. Even so, it is discouraging that jobless rates for those minorities remain significantly higher than the rate for the nation overall....
The late half-brother seemed normal. Was that his crime? He didn't wield a sword against The West 24/7?
Forbid the North Korean government should have a critic. The USA has many critics and no one is assassinated for it. I find it refreshing Kim Jong Nam only wanted to have fun. In most Western Circles that is called a "Jet Setter." Is that term still in fashion? It would have been nice to have a North Korean Jet Setter that spoke against the regime. It would have increased the local color of the community.
February 14, 2017
February 14, 2017
By Anna Fifield
Tokyo — The older half-brother (click here) of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been killed in Malaysia by two female agents with “poison needles,” South Korean media outlets reported Tuesday.
The reports — which could not immediately be verified — said Kim’s half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, was attacked at Kuala Lumpur airport Monday by two women who fled the scene in a taxi, according to reports on South Korea’s TV Chosun and Korea Broadcasting System.
Both outlets cited an unidentified government source describing the death of the 45-year-old, who was once considered the next in line for power but apparently fell from favor after trying to enter Japan on a fake Dominican Republic passport to visit Tokyo Disneyland.
The South Korean president's office and intelligence authorities in Seoul had no comment on the reports, and there was no such report on North Korea’s tightly controlled media — which rarely mentions the Kim family beyond the leadership....
Treason.
First Trump is nominated, receives occasional security briefings and continues in that behavior into his election. Who was getting the nuclear codes?
As far as I am concerned, Donald Trump disconnected from the security of the USA long ago when he was disinterested in daily security briefings. National security is in the job description of the President. Donald Trump refused to handle the national security of the USA and handed it over to Flynn. It seems obvious to me.
These Ultra Whites don't believe the President and Commander and Chief should be the same person. What briefing on reality did the media forget to attend?
This is the radical right in the White House. Does anyone think Vladimir Putin was sitting on his hands to be polite in conversations with Flynn? Really? These were just ordinary diplomatic contacts? Really?
The head of national security of the USA is in talks with a Russia President while the President of the USA ignores national security and shifts the entire focus to a wall with Mexico. That is not treason?
What's Flynn's defense? "Someone had to do it."
December 14, 2017
By Jonathan Weisman, Matt Flegenheimer and Eric Schmitt
Democrats hold no levers of power in Washington, (click here) but they have pulled out their megaphones to demand that Mr. Flynn’s resignation open the first chapter — not the last — of investigations into contacts between Trump aides and Moscow — during and after Mr. Trump’s campaign for president.
“Nothing about this resignation, or resignations that could occur in the future, precludes the Senate Intelligence Committee from continuing to investigate Gen. Flynn, or any other campaign official who may have had inappropriate and improper contacts with Russian officials prior to the election,” said Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. “It is clear that our task is more urgent than ever.”
In a joint statement, Representative John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, and Representative Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said, “We in Congress need to know who authorized his actions, permitted them and continued to let him have access to our most sensitive national security information despite knowing these risks. We need to know who else within the White House is a current and ongoing risk to our national security.”...
As far as I am concerned, Donald Trump disconnected from the security of the USA long ago when he was disinterested in daily security briefings. National security is in the job description of the President. Donald Trump refused to handle the national security of the USA and handed it over to Flynn. It seems obvious to me.
These Ultra Whites don't believe the President and Commander and Chief should be the same person. What briefing on reality did the media forget to attend?
This is the radical right in the White House. Does anyone think Vladimir Putin was sitting on his hands to be polite in conversations with Flynn? Really? These were just ordinary diplomatic contacts? Really?
The head of national security of the USA is in talks with a Russia President while the President of the USA ignores national security and shifts the entire focus to a wall with Mexico. That is not treason?
What's Flynn's defense? "Someone had to do it."
December 14, 2017
By Jonathan Weisman, Matt Flegenheimer and Eric Schmitt
Democrats hold no levers of power in Washington, (click here) but they have pulled out their megaphones to demand that Mr. Flynn’s resignation open the first chapter — not the last — of investigations into contacts between Trump aides and Moscow — during and after Mr. Trump’s campaign for president.
“Nothing about this resignation, or resignations that could occur in the future, precludes the Senate Intelligence Committee from continuing to investigate Gen. Flynn, or any other campaign official who may have had inappropriate and improper contacts with Russian officials prior to the election,” said Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. “It is clear that our task is more urgent than ever.”
In a joint statement, Representative John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, and Representative Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said, “We in Congress need to know who authorized his actions, permitted them and continued to let him have access to our most sensitive national security information despite knowing these risks. We need to know who else within the White House is a current and ongoing risk to our national security.”...
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