Tunisians are not alone in the world. There are rights groups that will report abuses.

Security in the region is important. It is good to know there are reservations about the new law, but, only practice of the law will tell it's ability to stop danger to citizens without sacrificing freedom.

I personally find Tunisians to be amazing people to face down danger and bring peace and justice to bear. The people have come through the Arab Spring stronger than they were before. It is wonderful realize terrorism is under control in Tunisia. They should be congratulated.

July 25, 2015
By AP Tunis

...In a late-night session (click here) Friday, 174 deputies voted for the legislation, 10 abstained and no one voted against it – a sign of the perceived urgency for the law after Tunisia was battered by devastating attacks on tourists in March and then again June.

The law replaces legislation from 2003 and is designed to facilitate efforts to combat terrorism, but rights groups fear it will give impunity to security forces and sacrifice the achievements of the 2011 revolution for the sake of stability.
”The Tunisian authorities are rightly concerned about the growing influence of individuals and extremist groups and the threat they pose to their citizens and foreigners,” said Eric Goldstein of Human Rights Watch. ”However, laws to fight against terrorism should respect and not violate the international standards of human rights.”

Ten Tunisian human rights groups expressed reservations about the law, especially its vague definition of terror, use of capital punishment and the doubling of the amount of time police can hold prisoners incommunicado to 15 days....

Exactly. The law doesn't work.

July 25, 2015
By Polly Mosendez

...Authorities (click here) have determined John Russell Houser legally purchased the handgun he used to kill two people and injure nine others inside a Lafayette, Louisiana, movie theater this week.

Speaking at a press conference, authorities confirmed Houser purchased the handgun legally in his hometown, Phenix City, Alabama.

When law enforcement stormed the theater, Houser shot himself and died on the scene. Authorities believe he was planning to escape, as his car was parked by the exit and he had disguises with him....

At this point the idea of a costume to conceal his identity is irrelevent. He didn't leave the theater when the police arrived, so that reality interrupted him  from returning to the motel room and donning a costume.  

Where was he going after his angry shooting spree? Texas to Mexico or New Orleans and a freighter ship? How much money did he have? 

But, the most important fact and not speculation is that he had no intention of being caught and the LAW DID NOT WORK to protect those in the theater.

This is not the first time the law did not work. Over and over we as a country are hearing how weapons were purchased legally and then the discussion starts about how the gunman was not a responsible person because of mental health issues. 

One of the reasons gun laws don't work is because the task to developing a data base of the depressed citizens alone requires super-computers. It is not at all realistic. The dreamscape of the gun lobbyists is nice but it is a dreamscape and nothing more.

This is from the CDC:

...Number (click here) of ambulatory care visits (to physician offices, hospital outpatient and emergency departments) with major depressive disorder as primary diagnosis: 8.0 million (average annual 2009-2010)...

Everyone understand what is going on in that assessment?

This is a statement by the CDC about major depressive disorders. Maybe we need to clarify major depressive disorders. 

Depression (click here) is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living.

This is from the Mayo Clinic. Major oppressive disorders is a significant problem. It is a problem for the individual, the family, their employers and their doctors. Does any one believe a nearly sixty year old man had health care insurance to assist his DISABILITY since he was unemployed? Major depressive disorders are a disability.

More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn't a weakness and you can't simply "snap out" of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don't get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychological counseling or both.

Now, the CDC states there are 8 million Americans ANNUALLY suffering from major depressive disorders and they are not institutionalized.  

ie: ambulatory care visits 

These folks are known to be under treatment so the CDC had a valid count. They were still struggling to hold down a job and conduct a life. That's not a bad thing, because these people need contact during treatment that steers them back into their lives. They have brain chemistry imbalances as well as all the dreadful feelings accompanying that.

These folks are not the Aurora gunman. They are trying to resolve a mental disorder that has taken over their lives.

8 million Americans.

That is ONLY major depressive disorders. There are many, many mental health disorders including other strains of depression that would have to go into a data bank to prevent these people from purchasing guns legally.  

Building a data base is taking far too long. The government computers are not prepared for any of this information. And people are dying. It is going to require computers the size of the NSA dreamscape computer building. That is just the beginning. Then the entire country has to be tied into it. Anyone remember the problems with the "No Fly List?" This would be exactly that and worse because there are less people that fly than have mental illness in the USA.

It is a validate statement to say if one is ever placed on a mental disorder list so they can't purchase guns there is no coming off it.  

Health diagnosis are confidential. But, when a man goes to purchase a new hunting gun he is going to meet up with resistance because he is on the mental health data base.   

What the gun lobbyists have been successful in doing is convince the American electorate all that is needed is a mental health database to prevent all these mass shootings. Americans actually are compromising their own safety by believing it. There is no provision in any law that states if a person is diagnosed with a mental health disorder the local police are to immediately remove the guns from their residence. There is no law that allows that. There is a California law whereby parents/family can invoke such a measure with proof of the mental disorder to protect the person and the public.

However, does family always know there is a mental health diagnosis. Is that third person aware of the diagnosis? Then where is the law taking us in reassurance of protecting the public? It is taking us down a blind ally. 

The entire idea of a data base that is going to have answers about mental health issues is nonsense. How long is the American public going to pay for more and more meaningless measures that amount to nothing but, "Duck and Cover?" Our country has a treasury that can be tapped in a moment's notice to build such an infrastructure, right? No.

Now.

What is far easier and far better to do? Build a computer system that carries personal information to gun purchasing or simply limiting the type of gun that can be purchased that is KNOWN to work. The assault weapons ban works and we know it does and it costs Americans absolutely nothing because the mass killing weapons are not on the shelves in gun stores across the USA.  

Until everyone starts talking truth to power and delegitimizes the gun lobby excuses for selling guns without any type of regulation (because that is where all this is going - guns are lolly pops) there will be mass shootings and deaths of gun instructors at the hands of his/her students. That is governance? No, that is a plutocracy and it is not the USA Constitution and Supreme Court decisions I am familiar with. 

Good luck, folks, I hope everyone makes it home to the Latch key kids waiting for dinner.

Jeb Bush's position on most everything is pandering. But, thinking he is entitled to the Presidency, running is a burden.

Donald Trump has a better chance at the nomination with Jeb Bush stating Medicare has to be phased out and seriously meaning it. 

Hello?

This Medicare issue is not new. Not for a Bush. "W" wanted two trillion US dollars to begin to privatize health insurance for Americans. This is an agenda, not simply a passing fancy to find the Paul Ryan voters.

Jeb Bush is dead serious about ending Medicare. 

One might say Jeb Bush isn't even close to the descriptive "Progressive."

July 24, 2015

By David Jackson
So, Jeb Bush (click here) says he was flipping around the television dial Wednesday, and ran across a media phenomenon with which he was unfamiliar.
That’s right: Sharknado!
“It’s kinda weird,” Bush said in a video tweeted out by his campaign Friday....

Bush has been trying to find things that will stick to the wall to remove attention from Donald Trump.

July 24, 2015
 
Jeb Bush, (click here) who is sitting at second place in the Republican primary race, recently endorsed a fairly unusual policy proposal for a conservative: abolishing subsidies for fossil fuels. At a meeting with New Hampshire voters recorded by the environmentalist group 350 Action, Bush said he would abolish all subsidies for all energy sources, be they renewables, oil, or coal.
 
Sacrificing renewable subsidies to abolish the ones for fossil fuel probably wouldn't be a great trade (though it might be in a few years, when renewables are cheap enough). But this counts as relative progress for conservatives, who are typically joined at the hip with the oil industry. Bush couched it in the usual conservative rhetoric about not picking "winners and losers," but that still represents a departure from the typical conservative approach to this issue (read: rank hypocrisy). No doubt he is getting angry calls from the Koch brothers at this very moment....

June 24, 2015
By Adam C. Smith and Kirby Wilson

...Even as Bush (click here) and his allies publicly tsk tsk The Donald's inflammatory rhetoric, many of them are quietly thrilled at how helpful Trump has been, albeit unintentionally.
"When this is all said and done, it will be to Jeb's credit that he had a crazy son of a (gun) riding him in the early going, because it made him look much more sane," said Tallahassee lobbyist and former Bush political strategist J.M. "Mac" Stipanovich. "And for the Republicans in the mid to lower tiers in this huge primary field, Trump has been a huge detriment. They have not been able to gain traction or get attention to make any kind of move."...

July 23, 2015

Jake Tapper compares Jeb Bush's (click here) positive statements on John McCain's military service to his less than enthusiastic feelings on John Kerry's in 2005. 

Jeb Bush thanked Colonel Bud Day for defaming Senator Kerry.

Jeb Bush calls #BlackLivesMatter a "slogan"  (Reuters) (click here)

Jeb Bush doesn't have a clue about the peril the African Americans have been facing. Nor does he care. I would think that is obvious. I think it was the former Mayor Bloomberg that recognized the huge chasm young black men face in achieving in life in the USA. There is no shame in recognizing the USA has not treated all it's citizens fairly. There is something right about recognizing there are problems in the USA and seek ways to fix it. Jeb Bush doesn't care. His attitude panders to 'the Republican racist.'

Coerson of a pubic official is corruption. That isn't free speech, that is stupidity for speaking about it at all.

I don't know who is more corrupt, Perry or the appeals court.

July 24, 2015
By Kevin Truong

...Republican presidential contender Rick Perry (click here) can breathe a little easier after a Texas appeals court on Friday dismissed one of two felony counts against him for abuse of power allegations originating from a veto in 2013 when he was governor of Texas.

The court ruled that the charge of “coercion of a public official” violated Mr. Perry’s First Amendment free speech rights. The second count, a first-degree felony charge of abuse of official capacity was allowed to continue onto the trial stage.

"One down and one to go," Tony Buzbee, Perry's lead attorney told Reuters after Friday's ruling. "We believe the only remaining count is a misdemeanor and raises the question of whether the exercise of a veto can ever be illegal in the absence of bribery.

Special prosecutor Michael McCrum told the Austin-American Statesman that he expects a trial before the end of the year and is currently weighing whether he will appeal Friday’s court decision. Prosecutors maintain that the remaining charge should be treated as a felony. If convicted of a first-degree felony, Perry could face five to 99 years in prison....

Special prosecutor Michael McCrum needs to appeal the decision of the Texas appeals court. There are problems in the Red States when it comes to their appeals courts. Their courts period actually. 

North Carolina is about as corrupt as any state in this country. Perhaps, even more so than Texas. In North Carolina when a person goes to court over unpopular reasons such as violations to the Clean Water Act, the courts are very hostile. There is no justice until the Fourth Circuit in Virginia is tapped. Many laws that exist today in North Carolina is because the Fourth Circuit ruled against the state. North Carolina is probably one state in the USA where court decisions have involved lawful outcomes more then the state legislators.

But, Mr. McCrum should appeal the Texas Appeals Court decision. The decision appears corrupt and flippant. 

This is about as close as any American is going to get to an EMP.

But, there have been moments in the US Congress when EMP has actually been discussed. Good subject, by the way.

When it comes to topics like this I don't simply click on an obscure net address, but, where there is credibility. This is from National Geographic:

July 19, 2013
By Patrick J. Kiger

...While an EMP (click here) might sound like a plot premise for a Hollywood disaster thriller, a federal commission of scientific and military experts convened by Congress in 2004 warned that such an event could actually occur....

There is so much nonsense surrounding this that (who are those people? they worry about this mess as an excuse to build an underground shelter...Oh, yeah, i know) Preppers have an entire culture and economy surround their deepest fears. I don't really have deep seated fears. Seriously. I worry about my health, but, not much else.

I used to worry about my children's health, but, their wives have told me to leave it to them. That was nice. Now when I visit it really is all upbeat. Some habits are hard to break. 

...The disruptive potential of EMP was noticed by the Chinese and Soviets, both of whom considered such an attack, according to the commission’s report. Nevertheless, U.S. officials didn’t bother to develop any defenses against the EMP during the Cold War, because they assumed that the threat of a retaliatory nuclear attack was sufficient....

"Duck and Cover" 

...But even if we’re not attacked by an enemy, there’s also the possibility that a catastrophic electromagnetic pulse could occur naturally, triggered by a severe solar flare. In 1989, for example, solar weather caused the collapse of northeastern Canada’s Hydro-Quebec power grid within 90 seconds, leaving millions of people without electricity for nine hours,...

I'd like to point out something to the Preppers. EMP is NOT a deeply held secret by the evil governments of the world. Civilized society has actually experienced one. Go, figure, huh?

Not only did our northern neighbor (it makes sense it was Canada because they also have aurora borealis), but, the power outage lasted less time than the stranding of people in New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina.

...according to a National Research Council report. In fact, Yousef Butt, a scientist at Center for Astrophysics at Harvard University, wrote in a 2010 article in the online journal Space Review that the risk of EMP from a solar storm is greater than that from an intentional attack.

But while some, such as former U.S. House Speaker and Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich (Republican), have sounded alarms about the risk of a catastrophic EMP launched by terrorists or a rogue regime, some skeptics downplay such a threat, saying that it would be difficult to pull off....

So perhaps as one ponders their best life strategy that is legal, which is questionable for politicians, one might promise SELF to only find REAL FACTS about things that scare us. Until recently I was concerned the "Spooky Channel" on Saturdays only was correct about aliens coming to Lake Michigan. I found out differently. See. No Aliens. HEROES, lots and lots of very smart generals and heroes. Learning the truth about the planes at the bottom of Lake Michigan added quality of life to me because I had more to appreciate about my country.

This is a new approach to portraying oneself as a law abiding citizen.

I betcha he doesn't have many friends. If Cliff had friends he would know trying to bomb an officer of the law isn't the way to express one's desire to stay out of jail.

July 24, 2015
By Sarah Heise 

Cliff Narvas (July 24, 2015)
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department 

Suspect says he lit pipe bomb because he didn't want to go back to jail (click here) 

...Police initially responded to a burglary in progress about 5:45 a.m. in the 2900 block of Monticello Drive. When they arrived, 40-year-old Cliff Narvas ran from the scene, according to Stockton police.
As he was running, the Narvas tried to light a pipe bomb. However, he was hit with a stun gun and taken into custody before he could light the bomb, police said....

See, Cliff has skills. I have no idea how to put black powder in a CO2 canister. It is just that the skills he has is not in demand in the real world.

Along with the pipe bomb, investigators found a backpack filled with burglary tools and CO2 cartridges filled with gun powder, investigators said....

Now, I can tell Cliff is going to jail. How do I know that? Because he openly states he was trying to bomb a police officer because he didn't want to go back to jail. That's how I know he is going back to jail. I also know his life strategy isn't going to keep him out of jail either.

There are just some things in this world that are wrong. Blatantly wrong. We all know Cliff has problems and there is little that we or the jail is going to do to correct his path. Unfortunately.

What worries me deeply is the number of people in jail or prison right now that do not belong there. I am worried about this country and it's people. Cliff needs a new life strategy and perhaps there are real hurdles to get him there, but, we should try. Definitely, we should try.

I am worried there are people in jail and prison that do not belong there and the law has destroyed their futures. I think we need to talk to people in jail and prison and find out what happened to their lives and why their life strategy failed them. I am very worried. If a person is in prison or jail because of testimony about a personal attack by a police officer; it should be a red flag. No person should be in jail or prison if the only charge they are facing is manufactured by a police officer. I am very worried.

The United States of America is a great country. At least we used to be. Every American should have a life strategy that is real and will deliver them to hope of a better future. Why aren't we doing this?

If a person was given a camera, a disposable camera, at the time of their arrest and processing, there may be a greater truth to lives then a permanent record and hopelessness in life. 

Rarely, if ever does the word conservation find it's way into the American dialogue.

In this case, CONSERVATION is a hero.

GMO it is a government program!!!!!!!!!!!!

June 23, 2015
From the Fencepost

...Whitlock, (click here) a retired firefighter, runs a 40-head cow-calf operation near Blackstone in Nottoway County that he purchased almost 17 years ago. The 107-acre farm consists of ground for hay, pasture, wooded areas and streams.

“I was out counting calves one day and came up short,” said Whitlock. “I went out again the next day and spent a significant amount of time walking the pasture, but still couldn’t find the missing calf. A couple days later I was walking along a wet area near the stream and there it was dead, stuck next to a big clump of swamp grass.”

Whitlock turned to the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) for assistance and learned that the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) could help him establish a riparian buffer, build fence to keep the cattle off the stream banks and install an alternate water source.

CREP targets high-priority conservation issues by forming a partnership between the federal government and state or tribal governments. Once a CREP agreement is established, landowners can receive annual rental payments in exchange for removing environmentally sensitive land from production and implementing acceptable conservation practices....

Any lie is a good lie. It has an afterlife.

Poor Politico, it all seemed to good to be true, huh? Poor babies.

July 25, 2015
By Dylan Byers

The New York Times (click here) made small but significant changes to an exclusive report about a potential criminal investigation into Hillary Clinton's State Department email account late Thursday night, but provided no notification of or explanation for of the changes.

It is not a change, it is a retraction. Try to make it look like something called a MISTAKE !!

The paper initially reported that two inspectors general have asked the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation "into whether Hillary Rodham Clinton mishandled sensitive government information on a private email account she used as secretary of state."...

Well, I'll be darn. The reports about the former Secretary of State Clinton breaking the law is a FRAUD. 

So, now the words possibly and potentially means FRAUDULENTLY in the news of the USA.

Right?

And, oh by the way; any server that is connected to former President Clinton and his family is SECURED. 

You mean to tell me the Republicans are this desperate that they will themselves run game on the government? I think the very least there needs to be an investigation to these charges in the newspapers and ethics violations filed with any government officials known to be a part of this. And, of course, the press has privilege to their sources. 

I am wondering if Judith Miller is back at the NY Times? More stenography folks? 

No reports of jets crashing to the ground this year is there? Oh, wait. I forgot. The former Secretary isn't privileged to that information anymore. It wouldn't do any good to say there are dangers to the USA people and the world that proves current homeland policy really sucks.

No one can stop a saddistic police officer, but, there is something that can be done.

Something occurred to me that would have prevented Sandra's death. There needs to be either state or preferably federal legislation that makes it mandatory to have an "on call" social worker 24 hours a day for every day of the year to any jailing or prison facility.

When a new person is brought into a jail or prison facility they should be seen within a half hour of arrival by a social worker. A properly licensed social worker would ascertain any initial impressions of a person's detainment.

Each person brought to a jail or prison needs to be viewed as a case management issue. A social worker could immediately call family or friends to assist with any peril that is perceived. There should be lists of bail-bondsman or agencies that could assist in bail. One phone call is not enough in any intake area, nor should phones be pay phones in that location. A person brought into a jail facility should never become so despondent there is no other answer but to die. 

I am worried. Very worried. Sandra could have been sentenced for a felony she never committed. That is not good. 

Dashcams are not made readily available to defense attorneys. There needs to also be an understanding the best place to look for a defense is on You Tube. 

That is a very bad testament to the USA. I never thought we'd be in this space as a country. Now, the future looks far dimmer than ever before in our history. 

There is a desperation in the USA that is an overlay to the violence content.

Sandra killed herself because of a perfect storm. She met up with a saddistic cop that would have killed her if he got a chance. But, the reality that hit her in that cell is all too stark.

She was going to begin a new life with a new job come Monday morning. She hadn't been bailed out because people in her life simply don't have $500 to pay bond. She was charged a felony she was not guilty of and she had no way of proving that and couldn't afford a lawyer. 

Sandra is dead because of a viciously saddistic cop and a completely negligent jail guards. But, there was something else driving her suicide, too.

Strangers are easily available to blame for life's impositions. 

People isolated from society for whatever reason, doesn't have access to strangers in their life. Churches, shopping malls and movie theaters are all social venues where innocent people do not have control of their environment.

It is a sucker punch. 

In the Lafayette case, the family already had a history with him. He would not have access to those he believed is causing his pain. So, look for the next available venue.  

In actuality, no one knows if he went into the movie "Train wreck" for entertainment and then simply decided he would kill people or if it were a plan. It didn't seem ;ole a plan. He tried to mingle with people running from the theater, but, with the quick arrival of the police he decided he wanted to die rather than be killed or stand trial. That was not a plan.  

The country needs gun control, but, the government is corrupt and pandering to political donors. If we are serious about gun control then post signs on every building in the country, "No guns allowed inside." Then watch the red state governments outlaw the right to establish a "No guns allowed inside" rule that requires gun owners to walk into any place in the country. There goes the political ideology that every business has a right to conduct their own priorities. So, we can say today, the reason guns are causing deaths day after day in the USA is because of corrupt government. Now, get the lousy no good corrupt members of government out of office.

I was astounded yesterday evening and this morning how very poor coverage there was regarding the Lafayette killings. I was hard pressed to find the name of the gunman today AFTER THE POLICE NEWS CONFERENCE WHERE THEY SUPPLIED THE GUNMAN'S NAME and it was ridiculous to hear discussions of Donald Trump rather than the dead and injured. The country, including it's media, is being disinterested in gun violence. Deaths by gun is happening all the time and now it is simply part of the landscape. 

The USA is going a KNOWN path to systemic violence. I was floored when I realized the gangs in San Francisco were running rampant in that city. 

It was a Latin American country where the NRA went in and instilled fear in the people and told them the only way to protect themselves was to own and use guns in self-defense. Within six months the deaths and injuries had escalated right along with gun sales.

This is another "I told you so" moment.

A United Nations envoy has asked for an end to violence in Israel and Palestine.

3 July 2015 – Increasingly concerned (click here) by the continued deadly incidents in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, against Israelis and Palestinians, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov today called for an immediate end to the violence. 

“I condemn today's fatal shooting by Israel Defense Forces of a 17-year-old Palestinian during an alleged stone-throwing incident,” said Mr. Mladenov in a press statement issued by his Office, in which his underscored that all sides must exercise restraint, maintain calm and promptly bring the perpetrato

rs of the violence to justice. 

“These tragic incidents, once again, highlight the need for a return to a political process with the goal of establishing two states living side-by-side in peace and security,” he declared and added that the incidents are also taking place at time when the Middle East faces a “vicious tide of terror and extremism.”

The Jewish Diaspora is becoming intolerant of the aggressions by the current leadership in Israel.

Study by Jewish People Policy Institute claims Diaspora Jews doubt Israel truly wishes to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians.

A Study by Jewish People Policy Institute claims Diaspora Jews doubt Israel truly wishes to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians. (click here

Diaspora Jewry is increasingly critical of Israel and young Diaspora Jews are growing more alienated from the Jewish state, a new study has found. 

The study, released this week by the Jewish People Policy Institute, an influential think tank based in Jerusalem, comes a year after Israel’s war in Gaza. Titled “Jewish Values and Israel’s Use of Force in Armed Conflict: Perspectives from World Jewry,” the report looks at how non-Israeli Jews view Israeli military actions and how Diaspora Jews should respond.... 

This is an article from "Haaretz" a preeminent Jewish media organization. It is easily stated "Haaretz" is an authority on Jewish interests in Israel. This isn't a media source on a propaganda mission. I've turned to "Haaretz" as a reliable source of the truth for over a decade. 

The paradigm regarding Shi'ite extremist in the Middle East is taking on a very differnt profile today.

On Friday, May 15, a convoy of about 12 bright black vehicles (click here) left Beirut along with a number of off-road vehicles packed with uniformed fighters. The convoy turned east and drove quickly towards the Syrian border. They didn't raise too much attention among the passersby: Similar convoys of Hezbollah members have been entering the bleeding battlefields in Syria for the past two years. Only some of them will get to see Lebanon again. 


 But this time, it was different. The black vehicles were carrying Lebanese and Western journalists – including correspondents for Reuters, The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, German media, etc. – not the population segment which Hezbollah is usually fond of....

There have been increasing sectarian attacks against the Shia in the region. The largest attack came in Iraq victimizing hundreds of Shia. I am not surprised Hezbollah feels an obligation to get the truth in the hands of the worldwide media.

July 18, 2015

A car bomb (click here) has killed 120 people and injured at least 130 at a busy market in an Iraqi town, officials have said.

The attack happened in the predominantly Shia town of Khan Bani Saad, north of the capital Baghdad.
Children were among those dead in the explosion, which came as people celebrated the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The Islamic State (IS) group, which control swathes of the country, has said it was behind the attack.
A statement from the group said one of its members drove three tonnes of explosives into a crowd.

The more Shia are victim to attacks, the more Iran will believe it has a role in the middle east to protect them. 

Daesh is not stupid. If they target an ethnicity first, the war becomes focused on sentiment against Assad. The war begins to take on a recruitment purity to the lives of other Sunnis. So, the Shia is a natural enemy for Daesh and they can sell that as a reason to recruit. If only the Shia are dying, the ambitions of Daesh to a caliphate is easier to swallow.

The middle east governments have to stand against Daesh and define the value of life with generosity to all ethnicity in the region. First it is the Shia and then it will be Sunni minority groups and Christians and ultimately no one is safe in the middle east. 

Iran needs to express it's disdain of any Shia deaths. Iran also needs to recognize the ability of other governments to protect it's people including the Shia. Iran must not depart on a military venture alone. 

Once again the former Secretary has diffuse suspicions about her private email account.

Former Secretary Clinton needs to take this head on and answer questions by the State Department Inspector General. Her leadership on dissipating these questions into the vapors is better than avoiding it. I think she is the only one that can act decisively on these issues.

The former Secretary can consult in private. Obviously. If this is classified information it can't be discussed in public.

July 24, 2015
By Michael S. Schmidt and Matt Apuzzo

WASHINGTON — Two inspectors general (click here) have asked the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into whether Hillary Rodham Clinton mishandled sensitive government information on a private e-mail account she used as secretary of state, senior government officials said Thursday.

The request follows an assessment in a June 29 memo by the inspectors general for the State Department and the intelligence agencies that Clinton’s private account contained “hundreds of potentially classified e-mails.’‘ The memo was written to Patrick F. Kennedy, the undersecretary of state for management....

...It is not clear if any of the information in the e-mails was marked as classified by the State Department when Clinton sent or received them. But since her use of a private e-mail account for official State Department business was revealed in March, she has repeatedly said she had no classified information on the account....

This is a surprise.

Cigna's profits have been booming since the roll out of Obamacare. This doesn't seem to be a solvency issue at all.

May 14, 2015
By Bruce Japsen 

Cigna CI +2.18% (CI) became (click here) the latest in a parade of health insurance companies to report they are going to make even more money than they thought they would in 2014 thanks to new business strategies and a surge of younger customers signing up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Cigna executives this morning now expect income from operations in the range of $1.93 billion and $2 billion or between $7.05 and $7.35 a share for 2014. That’s an increase of 20 cents per share from previous guidance, the company said during its first quarter earnings report....

In all honesty it looks like Anthem is setting itself up for an anti-trust lawsuit. Perhaps Anthem believes it is immune from such action because it is a health care company. I don't think so. If the government doesn't take up anti-trust there is corruption.

February 5, 2015
By Bob Herman

Profit at Cigna Corp. soared 29% in its fourth quarter (click here) and investors should expect continued growth this year, the insurer said.

Cigna's fourth-quarter net income was $467 million, compared with $361 million in the same period of 2013. Profit on the year increased 42% to $2.1 billion.

Higher premiums and moderate growth in medical claims drove the positive results, Cigna said. Its Medicare Advantage segment had a particularly strong quarter and year with more seniors enrolled in Cigna plans. Cigna expects Medicare Advantage enrollment will grow from 6% and 8% in the coming year as the company hunts for plans to acquire in specific regions, CEO David Cordani said during an investor call.

Full-year revenue topped $34.9 billion, up 8% from 2013. The lack of one-time charges and negative cost trends made for “one of the company's cleanest quarters in a long time,” said Josh Raskin, an analyst at Barclays Research....

This looks like nothing but a power grab over control of the health care system. The profits by these companies doesn't seem to lend itself to the pay hikes predicted.  There needs to be an investigation to the so called premium hikes. None of this dovetails into a recognizable problem with these companies. Their making money hand over fit and now the number one health care insurer it devouring small but substantial companies. It just spells monopoly to me.

July 24, 2015
By Carolyn Johnson

Anthem, the nation's second largest health insurer, (click here) will acquire Cigna, the nation's fifth largest, the companies announced Friday, creating a health insurance behemoth that raises fresh questions about competition in the industry.

The deal, which will create the largest private health insurer as measured by the number of members, values Cigna at $188 per share, a 38 percent premium from its closing price of $154 a share on Thursday. Cigna shareholders will receive a combination of stock and cash in the transaction.

A merged company would serve 53 million people and is part of a dramatic, long-predicted reshaping of the health insurance landscape as a result of the Affordable Care Act. UnitedHealthcare has 45 million members, and Humana and Aetna announced they would merge in July, creating a company serving 33 million people. The new company is projected to generate $115 billion in annual revenues....

The gunman had no intention of suicide until he was faced by police.

July 24, 2015
By Carlie Koliath

Law enforcement officials (click here) say John Russel Houser is the lone gunman responsible for opening fire in a Lafayette movie theater, killing two people and injuring nine others Thursday night (July 23). He also fatally shot himself.

Authorities are providing the latest updates Friday morning in a news conference. Watch it live here.

What we know so far about the shooter from authorities and witnesses:
• Identified as John Russel Houser.
• 59-year-old man.
• He is from Phenix City, Ala., and has been staying in a Lafayette motel since early July. Described as a "drifter."
• He acted alone.

The gunman tried to leave the theater within the crowd running through the exit. When he saw police he went back into the theater and fired one bullet to end his life. He didn't want to be apprehended. 

The police really didn't have much information regarding the gunman except his identity. There appears to be no motive. He was staying at a local motel and unemployed. 

It seems as though an angry man who bought a ticket to a movie theater seat wanted to kill random people for what appears to be his own frustration in life. 

President Obama has stated he is frustrated with the lack of effective gun laws in the country. 

Senator Stabenow saved vital funding for Detroit just in time.

July 23, 2015
By Todd Spangler

WASHINGTON — A deal struck tonight by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, (click here) D-Mich., and the Senate majority leader is expected to save millions in blight removal funds for Detroit and other Michigan cities, as well as for cities across the nation, which were at risk of being rescinded.
Stabenow told the Free Press that she had reached an agreement with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that a proposed 6-year transportation bill coming to the floor tonight will no longer include a provision which had sought to rescind unspent amounts in the Treasury's Hardest Hit Fund.
Had that provision as originally written remained, it could have devastated Detroit's aggressive blight removal program, funded in large part by $100 million from the $498 million allocation Michigan received five years ago under the Hardest Hit Fund, which was created to stabilize neighborhoods and help homeowners remain in their homes....

What do you want in your local economy? Wall Street or human beings?

Stating crime at the US Border requires analysis. It isn't just a matter of stating the numbers are different.

So, let's take a look at crime statistics. I don't pride myself on misdirection or lies.

Laredo, Texas has a population of 248,142  as of  2013. That sure as heck ain't New York City. 

It is difficult to find a comparable city at the northern border. Ontario has a population similar to Laredo, but, it is a Canadian city so that doesn't count. The American city across the bridge is Detroit and that doesn't really have any immigration problem. The north and south borders are completely different. Most border crossings of the northern border are lucky to have 100 people residing there. So, let's just say there isn't really a problem with the northern border. 

What would be a comparable American city inland of any borders. The center of the country is Kansas city, but, it's population is about half that of Laredo.

There are not many cities around the same population in the USA. (click here)
So, I'll just pick one. Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky has a population of 250,994.

There is also another way of checking the facts about Laredo being a safer city than a major city and that is by comparing the violence per 100,000 people. However, that isn't really a fair comparison simply because NYC has far different budgets than Laredo, Texas. But, I can do that. 

As of 2013, New York City had a population of 8.406 million.

Before I go too much further, there is this:

November 14, 2015 
By: Justin J. Reyes

...These stats compare Laredo (click here) to larger cities like Detroit and Washington D.C which reflects the national average at 4.5 murders per 100,000. Congressman, Cuellar says these statistics clearly show that some of the safest cities in the U.S. are along the border.

This article states crime in Laredo is below the national average with Detroit and Washington, DC as representing the national average. I don't consider that a valid comparison.

Below is Laredo's crime statistics.(click here)

Okay, Lexington is not listed in the above resource (click here), but, there is an annual police report. Lexington. Kentucky is stated to have a population of 308,428. That is close enough to the population of Laredo, Texas to believe there should be similar problems and budgets.

This is page 16 of the report (click here).

The crimes rates are higher in Lexington than Laredo in 2013. I think that is a valid comparison. 

It isn't possible to compare any city with Laredo in regard to illegal immigrants, simply because it is a border city and will have higher rates because of it's location.

Lexington also has a lower poverty rate than Laredo, Texas.

September 19, 2013
 

...Child poverty in Kentucky (click here) increased to 26.5 percent in 2012 from 23.5 percent in 2008.
For a family of four with two children to be living in poverty in 2012, their annual income had to be less than $23,283.
The estimated poverty rate for adults 18-64 in Fayette County, 18.9 percent, was not a statistically significant difference in 2012 than it was in 2011. However, it had increased from 14.8 percent in 2008....

In this article Laredo, Texas is the 10th poorest city in the country. 

10. Laredo, Texas (click here)

Median household income: $35,770 Percentage below poverty line: 31.7% (third highest) Unemployment rate: 8.5%  Population: 251,632
Located on the Rio Grande, this city serves as one of the biggest border crossings in the U.S., and is the point of entry for a large percentage of the goods that come into the country from Mexico. But while the border crossing provides certain economic benefits, it also attracts crime and drug trafficking. 

Poverty often accompanies higher crime rates. The claim that Laredo has a lower crime rate than other cities in the USA appears accurate. This is a very casual analysis and includes popular articles.

Discussed intermittently through this search for information turned up a program called "Secure Communities" which has been administered by ICE. There are complaints about the program from mayors stating the people deported were not criminals. Evidently, the program is suppose to find the criminals in the country and deport them. Some mayors state this program doesn't target criminal immigrants. This program was suppose to be replaced with President's Executive Order, but, that may not be happening now.