Here is a really great message of the strength of the American people. Oh. But, since he got the car, he put on weight.

February 7, 2016
By the AP

Troy, Mich. — A Detroit-area man (click here) who had said he walked 21 miles a day to and from work is finding life is much easier about a year after receiving a new car and a windfall of donations, but the downside to that generosity is that he has put on weight.
The Detroit Free Press reported last year about James Robertson's daily trek to the factory where he worked in Rochester Hills. Shortly thereafter, donors gave Robertson the car and roughly $360,000. He moved from Detroit to suburban Troy.
"People ask me why I still work. I don't change that for no one," he told the newspaper (http://on.freep.com/1PgpFxO ).
Now it takes the 57-year-old about 12 minutes to drive to work. The newspaper reported Sunday that the new situation hasn't rid 57-year-old Robinson of all of life's problems. He still needs to find new friends and fit into a new neighborhood, and he wants to lose weight because he is not getting as much exercise as before his good fortune.
Robertson said he isn't likely to retire anytime soon, in part because he prizes his friendships at work....

Let's change the trajectory of Flint!

This only proves these are Saddam Ba'athists. It is the same exact methodology seen in Iraq during the USA occupation.

February 9, 2016
By Anne Barnard 

Gaziantep, Turkey — The Islamic State (click here) claimed its first attack inside the Syrian capital on Tuesday, asserting responsibility for a car bomb that destroyed a police officers’ club and left several people dead and dozens wounded.

The bombing, witnesses and regional news reports said, struck Masaken Barzeh, a neighborhood on the northern edge of the city that had been largely secure and quiet. Within hours the Islamic State, using its official media channels, said it had orchestrated the blast. The Islamic State had said it was behind an assault last month on the Sayeda Zeinab shrine on the outskirts of the capital that left dozens dead....

Ever hear of the Green Zone? It is still there. The Iraqi government in Baghdad built six concrete blast walls to prevent this exact kind of attack.

This is Baghdad. It is the Green Zone. There are layers of blast walls to end the violence inside the government's center. There are guard gates that monitor traffic into and out of the Green Zone.

Residents, especially those involved in the government, live in the Green Zone. It is the same stuff that occurred in Baghdad that brought up the walls. Some of the blast walls, when in neighborhoods of people, are painted with murals to reflect happy messages.

Daesh are the Ba'athists. Their vicious attack on 'the human being' has to be handled by governments with infestation of them. There is no bug spray strong enough, so the people have to be protected in order to carry out the country's business. As soon as Syria can claim sovereignty and control, the war takes on a different composition and one with a leader to end it. 

The UN peace process needs to be pledged by the sovereign government. The peace process will help bring about a new method to end differences without guns. The Syrian people have been dragged through hell by Daesh. They have to have a reason to come home. 

Oh, by the way, the USA FBI is having trouble breaking a code on a cell phone. Perhaps a joint effort to end such terrorism might be plausible. Maybe? It would be good for all the countries in coalitions and within UN agreements to end Daesh.

Think about it. We could all use a little peace right now.

If the tech companies don't assist law enforcment, especially the FBI, they can start being viewed of faciliators to terrorism. No one wants that.

Washington, Feb 9 (Reuters) - FBI Director James Comey (click here) said on Tuesday that federal investigators have still been unable to access the contents of a cellphone belonging to one of the killers in the Dec. 2 shootings in San Bernardino, California, due to encryption technology.
Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the phenomenon of communications "going dark" due to more sophisticated technology and wider use of encryption is "overwhelmingly affecting" law enforcement operations, including investigations into murder, car accidents, drug trafficking and the proliferation of child pornography.
"We still have one of those killer's phones that we have not been able to open," Comey said in reference to the San Bernardino attack.
Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, launched the Islamic State-inspired attack with his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 29, at a social services agency in the California city, leaving 14 dead.
Comey and other federal officials have long warned that powerful encryption poses a challenge for criminal and national security investigators, though the FBI director added Tuesday that "overwhelmingly this is a problem that local law enforcement sees."...

I think tech companies can explain to their subscribers what they are doing to assist the FBI. In that same idea is the reality if the FBI moves beyond their need to access this information it would be illegal. I think at this point that is the best that can legally be provided.

Let's face it. These folks were operating without suspicion and with assist of a relative.

If the encryption is outside the USA borders, it will require the State Department.

CNN is predicting the winners

Donald Trump 

and 

Bernie Sanders

I'll be interested in seeing specific numbers which probably won't happen until all the voters have cast their ballots and they are counted.

We are entering Michael Bloomberg territory.

Congratulations to the winners. Other candidates were not ignored, so their results should be interesting.

The candidates will still receive delegates.

The second place candidates did better than expected. That matters. Domestic issues line the turnout for the Democrats. The Republicans are concerned about 'the invaders;' immigration and terrorism were two issues not on the Democratic list. Terrorism and Immigration is Talk Radio.

Americans are reinvigorated about their country.  I think it is wonderful. The polling places believe they are seeing record numbers of voters. The ground game is working. 

That should be good news for the Democrats. It will be interesting to see how many Democrats are registering votes and how many Republicans.

US House Speaker Ryan is in violation of USA law. I want at least an ethics complaint. No one gets away with insulting President Obama.

There are laws, (click here) Mr. Ryan and the people have a right to receive a copy of the budget as well. 

President Obama, according to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, ALWAYS begins the budget process.

Brinkmanship and playing stupid extremist games will not make Americans happy. The budget is to be printed through the Government Printing Office for availability to the public. Brinkmanship will violate the TRUST of the American people in DENYING them access to it.

I want a complaint registered against the Speaker of the House!

How many Americans know the Congressional Budget Office was created in this long standing law of 1974. The law has an interesting story, but, the FACT is the Congressional Budget Office is PAID FOR by the American Taxpayers and now even the Budget Chairs aren't going to provide testimony to the Congress because the US House Speaker is having a hissy fit. 

This is the second complaint I want registered against Speaker Ryan!

And the idea the American people will not have access to the budget due to running a timeline and brinkmanship is the THIRD COMPLAINT!

Obviously, Mr. Ryan has forgotten we live in a democracy and not his private dictatorship. And, No, Mr. Ryan passing a bill to change the process to suit you will be vetoed and upheld! 

GET TO WORK, RYAN.

The Radical Right House Republicans just stated they completely reject the President's budget because it is a political tool for the election of Democrats.

They state they are completely breaking from tradition and will not allow the President's budget directors a chance to address the House. Instead, SOMETIME later in the year the House will provide THEIR budget to President Obama.

If that is not a political statement, don't ask me what is. The President's statement today to the US House was comprehensive including needs for the new policies of the incarcerated. It was an rather fair budget.

The President's Budget for the Fiscal Year 2016. (click here)

...Protecting and Expanding the Nation’s Water Supply. The Budget supports the Administration’s two-part water innovation strategy to boost water sustainability and reduce the price and energy costs of new water supply technology to increase the resilience of our Nation’s water supplies to stressors like climate change and population growth, among others....

Needless to say there won't be a provision for Flint, Michigan from the Radical Right US House. Most Americans can find identity within this budget. Radicalizing the path forward will drive people away.

...Invests in early learning for children with disabilities.  The Budget provides increased funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Preschools Grants and the IDEA Infants and Families program, an increase of $80 million compared to 2016, including funding to help identify, develop and scale-up evidence-based practices for early identification of and intervention for learning and developmental delays....

At least 9000 children in Flint will need life long services and that will be out of the question as well.

The Radical Right Wing Republicans have grabbed control of the US House and will run the same game as before; run out the timeline and practice brinkmanship.

Here we go again!

As the candidates move to lower latitudes for their primaries the concern of public health will be on the forefront of concerns of citizens.

One extremely important fact that public health officials need to embrace is THE CHANGE IN AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURES across the country.

The Vika Virus is breaking at an interesting time when realizing average high temperatures are different than when public health policy was originally written. In increasing number cities are seeing movement of higher temperatures further north. The average high temperatures will increase the opportunity of mosquito populations and the spread of the virus. Public Health officials should recognize the new addition to the spread of the virus as a sexually transmitted virus, which actually explains the infants born with hydrocephalus.

February 8, 2016
By Gillian Mohney

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (click here) and Prevention's Emergency Operations Center has been moved to Level 1, the agency's highest level, due to the risk of Zika virus transmission in the U.S., officials said today.
The Level 1 activation is "reflecting the agency’s assessment of the need for an accelerated preparedness to bring together experts to focus intently and work efficiently in anticipation of local Zika virus transmission by mosquitoes," the agency said in a statement.
The highest level activation means the CDC staff will work around the clock to combat a critical emergency. The three other Level 1 activations have been to combat Ebola, to combat H1N1 influenza in 2009, and after Hurricane Katrina....

What has to be answered by the CDC and WHO as well as any other investigative agency is the PERMANENCY of the virus genetic damage. If a person is bitten by the mosquito will they be genetically damaged for the rest of their lives.

If there is permanent genetic damage, what then happens to humankind from this year forward? The most difficult decision is to back away from abortions sought by women unable to care for profoundly handicapped children.

This, next to HIV, is one of the worst viral infections I have witnessed. HIV was not passed by insect and it still allowed normal fetus to be conceived. This is a profound humanitarian problem as well. How is the world going to address significant increases of the handicapped? This virus does not kill the parents, but, may completely eliminate their chances at normal children again. Do I detect the contemplation of cloning and/or IVF fertility as a preferred method of conception? I mean every word of it.

February 9, 2016
By ABC News
With concern surrounding the Zika virus (click here) at an all-time high, Consumer Reports has re-released its exclusive ratings of mosquito repellents that best protect against the mosquitoes that spread the virus.

The release highlights the results regarding the Aedes Egypti mosquito, the mosquito known to carry and spread Zika.
Officials Monday announced that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emergency Operations Center had been moved to Level 1, the agency's highest level, because of the risk of Zika virus transmission in the United States.
The Zika virus has been spreading throughout the Americas and the World Health Organization has deemed it a "global health threat."
Consumer Reports found three products to be most effective in combating the mosquito known for carrying Zika: Sawyer Fisherman’s Formula Picaridin, Natrapel 8 Hour and Off! Deepwoods VIII....

I think there is some question as the this virus being a cross between hemolytic virus and Denge. It is a virus that does not kill it's host and spreads with the hosts sexual activity. I keep coming back to a designer virus and/or a GMO monster.

Human beings can't carry out genetic modifications without expecting genetic problems. If this is due to food ingestion of GMO products in impoverished Africa, this is a really significant wake up call. Once again, who is correct, the people or Wall Street?

Why do they reject rhetoric? I would think it is obvious. You want mosquito repellent that works? Go to REI (click here) and ask what works including bed nets!

Local Public Health officials can unwittingly leave the public open to infection by inadequately treating mosquito breeding grounds. Alert people to removing persistent puddles around their homes/apartments as well. In some rental communities the landlords might not want to treat the grounds of their own properties. 

Residents should find a common area to meet and discuss their best way forward while taking IMMEDIATE responsibilities for their well being and their children. I would think a united community could subtract their costs from the rent. I do believe a judge would honor it. I am not the judge, so if the expense is minimal to each resident, absorb the costs and demand the local mayor and council to pass a law requiring treatment of mosquito breeding grounds.

It will easy for a community to report such breeding grounds across their Smart Phones. I am sure that is at least one in every community. Go to the next meeting of the mayor and council with the CDC notice and ask what is being done to ELIMINATE the danger.

DO NOT WAIT TO TAKE CARE OFF YOURSELVES.

DO IT NOW.

This is not a political statement: "A warming Earth is going to spread this virus and new areas will find mosquito populations where they haven't been before."

Thank you.

I would think candidates running for office will provide a handout to local communities they visit. Leadership. Knowledge. Commitment to the people. 

Candidates can go to the local mayor and council meeting no different than citizens and wait your turn to speak on this problem. OR. Send a staff representative DIRECTLY to the decision makers. 

Yes, it is just that important. This is a level one CDC class organism. Get for real!

I have to concur.

The under 35 voter is not looking for labels or stereotypes and the word "socialism" doesn't effect their decision. They know their problems/issues and it is the issue that matters and the candidates' definition of it. Seeking a genuine person is a way of doing away with repetition of the problems their entire generation faced/faces.

There are those voters seeking genuine candidates on the Republican side of the aisle. They are breaking along the Christie/Kasich lines and deciding on their interpretation of genuine resolution to their political priorities. They don't want rhetoric, they want answers that are achievable and these two candidates are posing a challenge of choice in the ballot box.

Good luck to all the candidates today. America is different in the year 2016 and is not easily lead. I like it. I like it a lot.

There is an anarchy vote. "Don't vote according to what the law tells you, vote what you know is right and wrong." Patrick Henry, "Live free or die" lives. Some might call it Libertarian. Is it really?

There are the rules as they stand today in the USA when children are born outside the USA.

There are also children legally adopted from other countries to American parents. That should be of interest to couples that cannot give birth to their own children. Are the children of these parents handicapped to their political rights?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Part H - Children of US Citizens (click here)

​C. Table of General Provisions​ (click here)

​

A child born outside of the ​United States​ may acquire ​U.S.​ citizenship through various ways. The table below serves as a quick reference guide to the acquisition of citizenship provisions.​ The chapters that follow the table provide further guidance.​...

The legal definitions can be very technical:

(E) (i) a child adopted (click here) while under the age of sixteen years if the child has been in the legal custody of, and has resided with, the adopting parent or parents for at least two years or if the child has been battered or subject to extreme cruelty by the adopting parent or by a family member of the adopting parent residing in the same household : Provided, That no natural parent of any such adopted child shall thereafter, by virtue of such parentage, be accorded any right, privilege, or status under this Act; or...

In this particular instance, the child would be adopted and would automatically raise questions about it's naturalized state of citizenship. But, the child was born in the USA. That fact might not be readily known. When a child is adopted (and perhaps this should be a legal requirement) the new parent(s) should ask or be provided with the country of origin of the child's birth parents.

Sometimes adopting parents find the natural parents a threat. So in providing the only country of origin to the adopting parents gives them control of the information provided their child. Some adopted children when adults cannot handle that information, but, it would be invaluable for someone such as Ted Cruz when seeking office.

I am sincerely sorry to hear of this tragedy in Germany.

February 9, 2016

By Melissa Eddy

Cologne, Germany — At least nine people were killed (click here) and several dozen were severely injured after two commuter trains collided head-on in the southeastern German state of Bavaria early Tuesday, an accident that the police said was among the worst in the region.

Stefan Sonntag, a spokesman for the police in Upper Bavaria, said the trains were traveling along the same stretch of track when they slammed into each other shortly before 7 a.m. near Bad Aibling, about 35 miles southeast of Munich.

It was not immediately clear why the trains were on the same track at the same time, he said. Although Germany has a vast rail network, trains traveling in opposite directions frequently share tracks in many rural regions.

About 50 passengers were severely hurt and 100 others sustained light injuries, Mr. Sonntag said. The authorities said later that two people were still missing about eight hours after the crash. “We haven’t seen such an accident in this region in a very long time, if ever,” Mr. Sonntag said. “It is terrible.”...

My first thought was; are there computers involved and were they hacked? I don't believe it would be a government. I don't believe governments would be interested in causing such deaths and infrastructure damage. However, there are hackers in the world wishing right now the fatalities were higher. 

Voters in New Hampshire have freedom fatigue.

This is a sign in Manchester, New Hampshire. The first primary in the country happens to have a significant population of independent voters. They may or may not be participating today. The independents simply decide what party they want to vote for in the primary and then return to their independence after their balloting.

New Hampshire is more important as a measure of Independent choices than that of the first primary.

February 9, 2016
By Matt Flegenheimer and Michael Barbaro

Manchester, NH — At this final hour of primary season here, (click here) amid the vicious mailers and ceaseless television ads, there seems no escape from the ugliness.
But in their own small protest against the excesses of democracy, the residents of 175 Elmwood Avenue have tried.
“No solicitation! Political or otherwise,” a handwritten note on their door reads. “Please respect our privacy. We promise not to knock on your door. Thanks.”
The attention is an essential element of life in the first state to hold a primary, the civic price paid for admission to an election that matters. Hotels fill. Businesses boom, briefly. Surely the backbench voting states — New Jersey and Nebraska, Indiana and South Dakota — would gladly take on the trouble....

There was another interesting caller on "Washington Journal" in being what she characterized as "...not the usual Trump voter." She stated she was masters' degree prepared and lived between Wilmington, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC near it's southern border of North Carolina with South Carolina. 

There is a growing population of bedroom communities from megalopolis of Charlotte, NC. Rock Hill, South Carolina is one of them. But, this particular voter lives in the coastal area of NC. She stated Donald Trump is hitting on all the sacred cows and he is willing to be the one person not dependent on corporate and political money to carry out his campaign. 

I thought that DECISION was significant. It was to me.

The youth vote is defined as under 35 years old.

Using marijuana for real symptoms of a troubled body, be it pain or mental illness due to PTSD, should be expunged immediately as a hurdle to voting. An individual should be able to go to the police department, ask that their arrest record be pulled up and immediately placed before a judge without a necessary hearing for removal of these issues as if a minor. The states can pass emergency legislation now to return our veterans and young people to voter roles.

The US Congress needs a bill to remove such grievances as soon as possible. There should be no proof required, simply the fact their arrest record reflects marijuana as an issue should be enough. Who knows if a person uses marijuana as recreational or self-medicating. The person should be trusted again.

A caller in Arizona who is also a veteran of Iraq made the point on "Washington Journal" the youth vote is stifled by being convicted of possessing marijuana. The former soldier sounded very sincere. He stated he cannot vote because he is a felon due to his use of marijuana.

He thinks one of the issues for the candidates is to return the vote to those convicted of a crime and have served whatever sentence was given them. 

This is issue is not new and returns us to "voting rights." The man stated marijuana is legal and decriminalized in many states of the USA and it is time to recognize the egregious weight of the law when it comes to voting.

I might point out this man is alive. He also resided in Arizona. Many of our veterans are afflicted with painful injuries and PTSD. He is alive. If marijuana gave him comfort in the face of a society sadly behind the times in recognizing his illnesses due to serving as a soldier for this country. It is not his fault he finds it necessary to seek marijuana to provide relief of his symptoms. 

The USA has many voting rights issues and this has to be along with discriminatory laws at the top of the list.