How do you close the loop with North Korea?

January 18, 2016
By Andrew Ross Sorkin

The invitation was sent. And then, two weeks later, revoked. (click here)
The World Economic Forum, which on Wednesday begins its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, brings together political and business leaders to discuss the world’s most pressing problems. In years past, Vladimir V. Putin has attended. So has Bill Gates. This year, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. will attend.
And so it wasn’t a complete surprise to see that the foreign minister of North Korea, Ri Su-Yong, had accepted an invitation to attend the meeting in the Swiss Alps....

North Korea believes nuclear power brings respect. It doesn't stop to realize they are on a very different projection than the rest of the world.

...The World Economic Forum, through one of its board members, Philipp Rösler, explained its decision. “We decided after the nuclear test that at the moment there would be no opportunity for an international, global dialogue in the spirit of the World Economic Forum,” he said....

I would expect North Korea with a new young leader would see a better path forward by joining the world in an economic forum the North Korean people desperately need. But, instead, the young leader of North Korea trashed the entire idea of peace and economic prosperity in a single test of nuclear capacity. Will it every change? It has been six decades and a full generation has been born and will die without having a better quality of life.

The seclusion of North Korea was never intended as it has happened. The only thing I question is whether or not Kim Jong Un actually has a grasp on what international relations are about and how economic prosperity can grow out of it.

...Even though Davos has sometimes been criticized as a boondoggle for the business elite, it has often been the stage for meaningful debate and compromise among policy makers. In 1994, for instance, thePalestinian leader, Yasir Arafat, and the Israeli foreign minister, Shimon Peres, entered the stage holding hands. Six years before, in 1988, Greece and Turkey signed a no-war agreement called the “Davos Declaration.”...

Basketball and good will won't solve this one.

Sometimes countries outside the five permanent members of the Non-Proliferation Treaty don't realize how much citizens of those five permanent members wish they never had nukes in the first place. Because nations without nuclear capacity feel so vulnerable they believe it is better to be armed rather than the other way around.

If one could wave a magic wand and all the nuclear bombs in the world could disappear off Earth there would be cheers heard around the world. 

It is difficult to pump the FBI for political fodder.

September 11, 2015

By Michael S. Schmidt

Washington — The Justice Department (click here) said in a court filing this week that Hillary Rodham Clinton had the authority to delete emails that she did not believe were government records from the personal account that she exclusively used while secretary of state.The statement was made in connection with a lawsuit brought by the conservative group Judicial Watch. The group is seeking to force the government to search the server that housed Mrs. Clinton’s account for messages related to a video ad the State Department aired in Pakistan. Judicial Watch contends the ad was an apology for the Internet video that the administration initially blamed for inciting the 2012 attacks on the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya....

November 17, 2015
By Aaron Kleigman
Attorney General Loretta Lynch (click here) told the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that President Obama’s comments on the ongoing FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails and other legal matters have no influence on how the Department of Justice operates....
“The president stated on Super Bowl Sunday that there was not ‘even a smidgen of corruption at the IRS.’ At the end of that investigation, no charges were filed. Two weeks ago, the president stated with respect to Secretary Clinton’s emails, ‘this is not a situation in which America’s national security was endangered.’ Should we expect that when the FBI finishes its investigation of this matter that no charges will be filed? Does the department allow statements by the president to dictate its investigative practices?”...

Hillary Clinton is not a clunker the American people are settling for. That is not a nice thing to say. I honestly believe I am seeing Hillary Clinton for the first time. She has been full of surprises.

Bernie Sanders is not a salesman with an expired product named socialism. Bernie Sanders is a very smart man. He wasn't taking his candidacy seriously until the people appealed to him to run.

Bernie is running a campaign to die for. He said to his supporters, "Okay, I'll run but you have to get out the vote." Every one of his meetings has increased in attendance from the meeting before. He is so confident of his methodology of anti-corruption in campaigns he isn't taking donations from big money donors. That is extremely attractive to many voters.

It is also very attractive to Republicans when reflecting on Donald Trump and his loyalty to the people and their message. Basically, it is the same thing. Donald Trump accepts donations from the people but not big money donors. Same thing. 

The people feel respected, heard and empowered. Bernie and Donald have that in common.  

Here is something the Republican Party doesn't want to hear. If Bernie Sanders ran as the Democratic nominee, there would be no sabotage at the convention in a brokered methodolgoy; and he would win in November. 

Think about it.

Walmart did it to themselves. They moved into a town, built dozens of Walmart to push out other businesses and crashed the local economy. Americans learned their lesson 2008 and the local economy has become a premium focus. Walmart would never close out their express markets if it were making money. Americans are taking back their country and have since 2008.

The express markets don't employ that many people. On a national level of course, but, locally it won't even be felt at the unemployment office IF they are laid off to begin with.

The only people that get really upset about stores like Walmart is Wall Street.

Working at Walmart was poverty wages and their employees were accepting food stamps and Medicaid. That is NOT a viable company.

Pizza has nothing to do with ethics. Walmart is exactly the immorality of Wall Street. Where are all the teenage jobs in Walmart? Walmart didn't hire high school students exclusively. Don't run down an ally labeled "Teen Age Jobs" unless it actually is the truth.

January 14, 2016
By News Services of Florida

..."Today's USDA citrus crop forecast, (click here) even though unchanged, illustrates the dire state of Florida citrus," Putnam said in a prepared statement. "Without immediate and tangible support, citrus' place in Florida history might just become that — history."

The forecast remains the worst since the 1963-1964 season for the industry, which has been combating a decrease of farmland and deadly citrus diseases. Putnam has asked lawmakers to invest $8.5 million to research diseases that are impacting Florida's crops, like citrus greening.
He also has continued to push for the federal government to provide additional citrus disease research funding. Grapefruit production for the season has been downgraded from 11.5 million boxes in December to 10.8 million boxes in the January forecast.
Michael Sparks, chief executive at Lakeland-based Florida Citrus Mutual, the growers’ representative, echoed Putnam's concern.
“Although there is no change to the size of the orange crop we are still in an extremely challenging time,” Sparks said. “That’s why it’s important we continue to pursue important game-changing measures in both Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.”...

The Oscars

It is disappointing. I thought for sure after last year there would be more consideration for minorities in the choices this year. "Selma" was an exceptional picture and it received very little recognition.
I think of it as the Disney Effect. Every year there are nominations for short animation and without fail Disney's always wins. It is impossible for a studio with less collateral then Disney to compete but they try. There were really lovely nominations for short animation last year, but, the cute little puppy with a larger budget and studio craft won. 
The academy needs to take a look at itself. A film isn't necessarily brilliant or exceptional simply because they tickets sold goes through the roof the first weekend of it's release.
How are Americans suppose to expand their horizons if they are only fed the same thing without asking them to take on the challenge of new concepts, ideas and methodologies. But, then, maybe that is the way the Academy wants it.

January 19, 2016
By Levin Jordin

After a warm start to the season, (click here) winter is asserting itself, with a snowstorm that looks set to drop up to two feet of snow on the nation’s capital and the Northeast this weekend — with the tail of the storm bringing more seasonal chill to South Florida.

But the Miami area will get warmer before it gets colder, with temperatures heading back up to the low-70s Wednesday through Friday, then dipping into the low-50s by Sunday. The western Miami-Dade suburbs could see a shiver-inducing upper-40s early Sunday morning.

National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Gregoria said these winter temperature swings are standard for South Florida, which, like the rest of the nation, had an unusually warm December. The region got its first chill this past weekend, with temperatures dipping into the upper-50s....

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article55440660.html#storylink=cpy

150 events in Iowa. Wow.

Governor Huckabee is a very ambitious man. He wants to win. He said something very interesting though. He understands why Governor Branstad endorsed Donald Trump. According to Governor Huckabee Iowa farmers like the income they receive with ethanol in production. 

That is a man that actually cares about the people and dismisses the ideology if it doesn't fit in the future of the people he speaks to. Governor Huckabee represents the Americans that attach their religion to their politics. But, he takes nothing for granted in simply showing up at activities and assume he has the correct ideology to make his election a sure thing. 

He comes to understand the people and their view of the world. That view includes the future of their children. He also stated it would be foolish to assume a president could simply do away with something like ethanol when it has been accepted by the people as a good product for the economy. 

There is only one thing with Governor Huckabee and others with his particular brand; he attaches his religion to the office. He should consider differently. The American people are not all Evangelicals. It is the country that will elect the president.

It looks like there is more than Sarah Palin endorsing Donald Trump. The Republican Senate and House in DC are taking votes tomorrow on suspending US refugee programs with Syria and Iraq until more can be understood.

June 9, 2016
By Juan A. Lozano

The brother of an Iraqi refugee (click here) who had settled in Texas said he is in shock after learning that his sibling — who had come to the U.S. to escape the violence in their homeland — is now facing charges that he tried to help the Islamic State group.

Federal authorities allege 24-year-old Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan of Houston was coordinating efforts with another Iraqi refugee living in Sacramento, California, Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab, to get weapons training and eventually sneak into Syria to fight alongside the terrorist group.

Both men remain jailed after initial court appearances on Friday. Al Hardan was indicted on three charges, including attempting to provide material support for terrorists, and faces up to 25 years in prison. Al-Jayab faces up to eight years in prison on charges of traveling to Syria to fight and lying to U.S. authorities about his travels.

Saeed Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, Omar Al Hardan's older brother, said he was surprised by the charges against his sibling because neither Omar nor anybody in their family had ever expressed any support for the Islamic State....

So sorry to hear it.

January 19, 2016
By Rebecca Kaplan

Neurosurgeon Ben Carson (click here) canceled all of the day's remaining campaign events Tuesday after three volunteers and a staffer were involved in a car accident requiring medical care.

According to a statement released by the campaign, a van transporting the group hit a patch of ice and flipped on its side, where it was struck by another vehicle. One volunteer, 25-year-old Braden Joplin, is being transported the trauma center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, while the other three passengers, including the staffer, are being checked out at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa. The campaign says they are alright.

Joplin is a student at Texas Tech University who has been in Iowa volunteering for the Carson for a "significant amount of time," his campaign said.

Carson has spoken with Joplin's family as well as his attending physician. Carson will travel to Omaha this afternoon to be with the family.

"Dr. Carson is asking people to join him in prayer for all the individuals and families involved," the statement said.

Carson had two events in South Carolina that were closed to the press on his schedule Tuesday.

FOX believes Americans are misinformed about socialism.

I think Americans are SAFER leaning toward socialism. We've already seen what capitalism does. Maybe FOX doesn't understand food and water is necessary for life.

June 24, 2015
By Marc Daalder

A new Gallup poll (click here) shows that 47 percent of Americans would consider voting for a socialist candidate. Gallup has been polling Americans on their voting preferences for candidates of different backgrounds since 1937, but this year was the first time they inquired about socialism. 

When broken down on party lines, a socialist candidate would earn the consideration of 59 percent of Democrats, 49 percent of Independents, and only 26 percent of Republicans. Overall, socialism charted the lowest of all the backgrounds referenced in the poll. Atheist and Muslim candidates ranked second- and third-lowest among the American populace, at 58 and 60 percent respectively.

This poll comes less than two months after Bernie Sanders announced his candidacy, becoming the first self-described socialist (with at least a decent chance of winning) to do so in more than a decade....

I really think FOX doesn't get it. They don't get it because they don't want to get it. It is far easier for them to apply name calling to the poor, the working poor, lower middle class and middle class. They reward people that are in the upper middle class because they are the ones that had it right and made it work for them. Upward financial movement in the USA isn't simply hard work. If that was the case the entire southern states would be wall to wall millionaires. FOX simply doesn't want to get it. It doesn't support their world view.

Oh, Hillary Clinton broke the same exact laws as General Petraeus and why didn't he get a slap on the wrist. Non-disclosure.

I never paid close attention to General Petraeus because it was a privacy issue between he and his spouse. But, now I'll have to read up on it. 

January 18, 2016
By Nancy A. Yousef and Shane Harris
...The Pentagon (click here) is considering retroactively demoting retired Gen. David Petraeusafter he admitted to giving classified information to his biographer and mistress while he was still in uniform, three people with knowledge of the matter told The Daily Beast.

The decision now rests with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, who is said to be willing to consider overruling an earlier recommendation by the Army that Petraeus not have his rank reduced. Such a demotion could cost the storied general hundreds of thousands of dollars—and deal an additional blow to his once-pristine reputation. 

“The secretary is considering going in a different direction” from the Army, a defense official told The Daily Beast, because he wants to be consistent in his treatment of senior officers who engage in misconduct and to send a message that even men of Petraeus’s fame and esteemed reputation are not immune to punishment....

It is interesting, FOX places Patreus on a  pedestal, but, Hillary Clinton isn't a woman's right advocate because she can't even advocate in her own house. FOX is so lame. If they didn't have media penetration as they do, they'd be completely irreverent. FOX is testimony that the cream doesn't always rise to the top as capitalism states.

The two don't equate. General Petraeus made a willful act in providing classified military information to Paula Broadwell. That doesn't even come close to what had occurred with any of Hillary Clinton emails.

March 3, 2015
By Bill Chappell
Former CIA Director (click here) and retired Gen. David Petraeus, whose military career has been overshadowed by charges that he provided classified data to his mistress, has made a deal with the Justice Department in which he will plead guilty to one count of unauthorized removal and retention of classified material....

He trusted Paula too far. He really didn't know where the information would go after he willingly provided her information that lead to a book publication. Paula also made a lot of money. The two cases don't equate.

The papers filed today say that Petraeus held on to some classified and sensitive information that he shouldn't have, in the form of "Black Book" notebooks — and that he later provided them to his biographer, Paula Broadwell, with whom he was having an affair.

The Justice Department took his service to the country and drastically reduced the charges against him.

"A total of eight such books (hereinafter the "Black Books") encompassed the period of defendant David Howell Petraeus's ISAF Command and collectively contained classified information regarding the identities of covert officers, war strategy, intelligence capabilities and mechanisms, diplomatic discussions, quotes and deliberative discussions from high-level National Security Council meetings, and defendant David Howell Petraeus's discussions with the President of the United States of America.

"The Black Books contained national defense information, including Top Secret/SCI and code word information."

There is no question General Petraeus knew there was classified information in his documents. Those books have nothing to do with emails. The emails come into play with that woman, Jill Kelly, who was a fundraiser. Paula Broadwell had been sending her threatening emails. But, the documents that brought General Petraeus into question were his own personal logs that contained all kinds of information.

I think Jill Kelly was the one who wanted to support General Petraeus for a run to the Presidency.

I don't see any of that equating. Nice try though by FOX. I think they are feeling desperate.

Donald Trump didn't want to stop the bailout, but, let's just say it left a bad taste in his mouth. I think most Americans felt that way.

CHETRY: (click here) Do you think -- John McCain -- do you think that this bailout plan needs to pass in some way, shape or form for things to stabilize?

TRUMP: Well, I think it would be better if it passed. I'm not sure that it's going to work. A lot of people are not -- you know, it is trial and error. This is very complicated. This is more complicated than sending rockets to the moon.

Nobody really knows what impact it's going to have. Maybe it works and maybe it doesn't. But certainly it is worth a shot. I don't love the idea that the government's buying back all the bad loans. How about some of the good loans? You know? I don't like the idea that the government, frankly, is going to be negotiating with people to sell those loans, because maybe we'd be better off having the best bankers in the world do that.

But I think overall, it's a probable positive other than you have to control the price of oil. Because if you don't, whatever happens with the bailout, if you want to call it the bailout, whatever happens with the bailout, is will have no impact, no positive impact.

CHETRY: Donald Trump, always great to get your point of view. Thanks so much for joining us this morning.

TRUMP: Thank you very much.

I also thought there was a lot of angry people. The Ponzi scheme was coming to light and it seemed as though the American taxpayer was fair game for any scheme of Wall Street. They were angry about the losses in the 401K. I think most of the anger in the country stems from very poor decisions by the government, including the Iraq War. I think the American people felt worked over and helpless.

She took whatever advise was given her.

Was she ever (click here) provided guidance about her use of a non-".gov" email account?
The State Department has and did provide guidance regarding the need to preserve federal records. To address these requirements, it was her practice to email government employees on their ".gov" email address. That way, work emails would be immediately captured and preserved in government record-keeping systems.

FOX is trying every way possible to turn Hillary Clinton into an arrogant b&%#h. In other words, pity her poor staff for trying to reason with her regarding the security of the country.

I knew we got bombed for a reason.

I think it was a reset button, wasn't it? I don't recall her saying "Good ahead and try."

This is what they do. These are the back boy bikers in the USA. One of them is in the hospital with injuries.

Anyone who has witnessed the car chases initiated by police in California know the danger to average citizens. People complain when there are chases on the road. The folks that work for a living know it is best just to let it pass and the police can carry investigations rather than high speed chases.

This is what bikers do. There is a reason they travel in gangs. 

The bikers have respect for law enforcement. This form of organization to stop police before they get started recognizes the power they have in numbers. They know they can get caught and charged, but, in a gang they outnumber any police effort. There is no reason for police to risk their lives or the lives of innocent people. It just isn't worth it.  

Let's see.

If I were a biker why would I go to south Florida, Dade County on MLK Birthday? Hm.

I know. It is because of the electioneering of 2000. That might be the very issue that drives them there. It probably gives them a moral issue to carry out a message for their black brother bikers. Yes, there are black bikers, too.

Honestly, sometimes there is just no respect, ya know?  

The Golden Rule of the Bad Boy Biker World is, don't piss them off and you'll be fine. They aren't in town hunting for virgins or your best silver, they are simply carrying out their purpose in life according to Valhalla.

There is a group of women bikers in North Carolina that "Ride for a Cure." They don't call them breasts, they call them "ta-tas". 

A little bit of advise. FOX should not bring this stuff up. Next year some Tea-Partiers will get on a bus and travel to Dade County for the purpose of confronting them. The police don't need the help. 

Sure, sure, everyone has a right to hear the news and it is news, but, the context in which it is presented is important. It is good to hear from the extremes of American society once in awhile. When I was traveling one summer in Vermont a large biker gang with conversion van in tow passed through a cross roads. We all stopped regardless of the traffic light and just waited for them to pass. No problems and they didn't make the news either.

They don't scare me. The KKK scares me more than a biker gang could. I have never heard of a Tea Party movement to end white supremacy. They should give it some thought.

January 19. 2016
By Kate Jacobson

Motorcyclists and ATV riders (click here) took over the streets of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, ignoring traffic lights, driving the wrong way down city streets and speeding on sidewalks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
At least 150 riders started in Miami-Dade County about 3:30 p.m., moving north into Broward County on Interstate 95. Riders went as far north as Pompano Beach before turning back south as night fell.
Although it's illegal to drive an ATV or an unauthorized motorcycle on roads in both counties, officials said they did not chase the riders or pull them over because it was too dangerous.
High speed chases — especially with motorcycles — create unnecessary dangers for law enforcement, the people they're pursuing and civilian drivers, said Sgt. Mark Wysocky, spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol
"It's a danger to the public," he said....

Give me a break. FOX wants everyone to believe the families of the ten sailors are at risk because the SIM cards were removed.

Something tells me Bob Gates is completely blind to the reason people in his party are pulling their hair out. Could it be FOX?

Communications play a critical role when a service member is physically absent. Maintaining an emotional connection is essential in sustaining a relationship. Active communication also boosts morale for both the service member and those left at home. It is vital to make communication plans prior to the period of separation to avoid misunderstandings and to save on those unexpected long distance phone calls! Consider which of these methods might be best for your family....

...E-mail: Communicating via e-mail has become increasingly popular for geographically separated couples. However, the servicemember will need to check for system availability aboard ship or at his or her destination. If a computer and e-mail account are made available, this is an excellent way of communicating. This mode of communication is fairly fast and each partner can get "up-to-date" information....

...Phone: Relying solely (click here) on telephonic communication can be extremely expensive. Many a spouse has gasped with disbelief when the phone bill arrives, so beware! However, hearing your loved ones voice every now and then is a luxury that many couples will budget for. Compare prices between a direct phone call and paying with a phone card. A pre-paid phone card is convenient and there are no surprise bills. Also, check with your long distance carrier for military overseas discounts. Most of the major phone companies offer such discounts. You will need to open this account prior to the separation. Consider using a MARS (Military Affiliated Radio System) station if one is conveniently located near you. The MARS operators are HAM radio owners who have volunteered to help bring military families together. They are patching the call from the ship and will be on the line with you. Calls are limited to 3 to 5 minutes. This service is free of charge....

The U.S. Supreme Court (click here) will rule on President Barack Obama’s decision to defer deportation for as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants, agreeing to hear the administration’s appeal on one of the most contentious issues of his presidency.
The court will hear arguments in April, setting up a likely late-June ruling that will stoke what is already a fiery immigration debate in the presidential campaign.
A federal appeals court said Obama overstepped his authority in ordering the plan, which would let millions of immigrants apply for a reprieve from deportation and get work permits. The program, announced in November 2014 but yet to take effect, is being challenged by Texas and 25 other states, almost all led by Republicans.
In seeking Supreme Court review, Obama’s legal team said the appeals court’s “unprecedented and momentous” decision would strip the president of longstanding powers and give states an unwarranted right to challenge federal immigration policies in court.
“The court of appeals’ judgment enjoins nationwide a federal policy of great importance to federal law enforcement, to many states, and to millions of families with longstanding and close connections with this country,” U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli argued in the appeal....

Below is the Precedent from 1990. The USA has had an expansive agenda when it comes to the Undocumented. "W" built on this Executive Order to provide amnesty for 1.5 million undocumented. Unfortunately, the Republicans decided to change this and demands the order by President Obama be ended. 
When the Supreme Court rules on the PRECEDENT from 1990, it will provide a language that protects the Presidents power while removing the expansion of number of the undocumented. It will serve as a guideline that may result in a better Executive Order before he leaves office.
Then again this is the 5th District and is known to use unconstitutional tweaks to inhibit progress. It may simply be overturned and the Executive Order will proceed.
President Obama never insisted the Executive Order has precedence after the 5th Appeals Court ruled. There are no undocumented in the USA that can lose status under this order.

Los Angeles Times, Feb. 3, 1990: (click here) McNary’s directive provides a renewable, one-year shield against deportation to spouses and children under 18 who can establish that they have been living in the United States with a legal alien family member since Nov. 6, 1986, and have not been convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors in this country.

The policy will enable families to stay together while applications for permanent visas wind through a 10-year bureaucratic maze.

Under the old policy, children, but not spouses, of newly legalized aliens were eligible for such relief. No work authorization was provided. And regional INS directors had wide latitude to determine whether “humanitarian circumstances” were “compelling” enough to provide relief....

Gitmo

I have to wonder what is going to happen to POWs from the Afghanistan - Iraq wars when all the soldiers come home and it is over. The Geneva Conventions apply and people have to return to their countries of origin. There is a problem, however, some of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay are detained to dangerous to release. 

I am sure President Obama has a clear vision to all this, but, perhaps the United Nations should be asked to review the problems with releasing these dangerous people. The UN could issue a Resolution to solve the problems the USA faces.

It isn't fair President Obama has to shoulder this burden when he never created it.

January 19, 2016
By Josh Rogin and Eli Lake

President Barack Obama (click here) is determined to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, and if he decides to do so without Congress, there may be little his opponents can do to stop him.

Since his State of the Union address last week, when Obama reiterated that he will “keep working” to shut down the prison, the administration has sped up the effort significantly. Ten prisoners were transferred last week. Ninety-three prisoners remain, 34 of whom have already been cleared for release....

Here comes the old Republican establishment.

Bob Gates has a new book. He went from "Duty" to "Passion for Leadership." No it is not affiliated with Lamarr Womble (click here).

Bob Gates is the exact establishment the American people ARE FINISHED with. He criticizes President Obama for not announcing additional forces in the middle east because of the Iran Nuclear Agreement. He states Senator Sanders and Donald Trump are the same problem, they are an example of the extremists in the political debate. 

Mr. Gates states the reason people are involved with extremist candidates is because local agencies such as the Driver's License agencies don't run well. Absolutely, after all women have to bring their own shopping bags to many food establishments these days and some grocery places even expect them to pack their own groceries in the bags they brought with them.

The country definitely needs "Passion for Leadership" to get their act together so they come running back into the arms the dysfunctional level folks that don't pay for two wars.

And lets face it, the people under 30 years old are employed by the government at 25 percent of what it used to be. That might be a problem. But, the government is being slashed left and right by Republicans who promise small government. So to point to the government as an opportunity for the Millennials isn't really a viable option.

Bob Gates stated it was unfortunate Dan Levinson was not returned from Iran. He was last seen on Kish Island in Iran. Kish Island is a resort within Iran. It is a tariff free zone for people seeking less expensive items. But, it is stated he was taken hostage on March 9, 2007. It is a black eye for the Bushies. It is no surprise he was kidnapped. His qualifications include former FBI agent, former agent for US Drug Enforcement Agency and a private investigator. He is stated to have disappeared two weeks before the British Navy Personnel taking by Iran. At the time of his disappearance it was believed he was investigating a cigarette smuggling case. The facts surrounding Mr. Levinson's disappearance is rather disturbing. He had to know he was involved in a high risk job on a place where Iran's government made money from tourism and high end shopping. The Iranians would be interested in his entire life memories. I doubt they get a chance to peek into the USA operations. I don't find it wise to have sent him there or for him to accept that assignment.

Try looking in Russia.

Bill Gates did say taking SIM cards from mobile phones, such as that of the ten American sailors is commonly done to realize the real purpose of the foreign military presence in sovereign waters. The former DOD Secretary thought it ingenuous of Secretary Kerry to say the Iranian foreign ministry and Iran's defense ministry hadn't spoken regarding the release of photos and film of 10 navy seamen. Therefore what? The USA should bring Iran to the Hague over photos when we are not at war with Iran?

Bob Gates really should not be selling more military involvement in the middle east if he wants to sell books. President Obama has allowed sales of military hardware to Israel and others just for the asking.


August 24, 2015
By Walter Pincus
President Obama (click here) has promised increased U.S. arms shipments to Israel, Saudi Arabia and other Middle East allies concerned about the nuclear agreement with Iran.
In an Aug. 19 letter to Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Obama detailed an impressive and costly list of “our enhanced support for Israel.”...

So, basically, President Obama didn't exploit the fact our allies were well outfitted as THE BEST TIME for propaganda to have Americans get that feel good feeling, right?

Here comes the gossipers. I said the right wing is going to try throwing everything they can engineer to the public to effect elections.

The latest is from 2000 when Bill Clinton pardoned Marc Rich if he paid all his taxes to a total of $100 million. What does Bill Clinton say about his decision? "When you look at it, it all makes sense." Why wouldn't it? The USA would receive $100 million US.

The gossip is this. Mr. and Mrs. Rich were big political donors.

The facts are Marc Rich was pardoned as one of the last acts of Bill Clinton's presidency. I doubt the former president was expecting any more fund raising for his political aspirations.

January 11, 2012
By Robert Friedman

Denise Rich is gone. (click here) Denise, what a time we had! Denise has gone to “Europe,” a vaguely mystical place. She’s a woman of the world now. She will carry an Austrian passport even though she was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. I will miss her. Despite Denise’s strange adventure with Bill Clinton, the pardon, and her ex husband Marc–who can only return to the U.S. if he pays back taxes totaling more than $100 million–she became a popular, fun figure. No kidding. She has dimples, a hearty laugh and a sweet nature.

In the mid 90s, Denise wrote a song called “New York, I Love You.” Bobby Zarem pushed it every single day in the NY Post in Neal Travis’s column. Denise also started writing songs with lots songwriters, became friendly with Clive Davis, opened a little record  label. She also started her foundation for cancer research and raised a lot of money. That money is credited with funding a lot of successful projects including the drug Gleevec at Novartis.

Denise is being called a tax evader in the press. I don’t know. If that was her intention, she learned from the best. Marc Rich is the enemy of the people. He left the U.S. in a tax dispute, became a federal felon, bribed his way to a pardon, and still remains aloof, elusive, rich as hell, and completely above all world laws. He also for years operated his company Novarco from White Plains, New York. A decade ago I wrote extensively about how he’d made monkeys of all of us, and how the government- Democrat and Republican–had looked the other way. Business just went on and on. It was only when he feared that Paul O’Neill, an enemy, would become Secretary of the Treasury under George W. Bush, that he aggressively sought out his pardon. And Bill Clinton gave it to him....

Here is more hate of women by FOX. Hillary Clinton does not have control over her husband or his pardon pen. 

Mr. Rich's wife of the time was and perhaps still is a fund raiser for her political interests. There is absolutely no doubt Denise Rich has been a much appreciated donor to the Democratic Party and their candidates.

Denise Rich was never charged in any crime. She knew nothing about her husband's business dealings. Maybe she was too busy fund raising.

The gossip wants to link Marc Rich to any ambitions to Hillary Clinton and that is why the pardon was issued. Really? 

March 26, 2013
By Alice Baghdjian

Billionaire Marc Rich, (click here) who invented oil trading and was pardoned by President Bill Clinton over tax evasion, racketeering and busting sanctions with Iran, died on Wednesday in Switzerland aged 78.

Rich fled the Holocaust with his parents for America to become the most successful and controversial trader of his time and a fugitive from U.S. justice, enjoying decades of comfortable privacy at his sprawling Villa Rosa on Lake Lucerne.

Belgian-born Rich, whose trading group eventually became the global commodities powerhouse Glencore Xstrata, died in hospital from a stroke, spokesman Christian Koenig said....

In order to protect her monies Denise Rich moved to Europe. It is all legal.

Hillary Clinton is not responsible for any fund raiser, the monies they donate, especially if they are dead. Where does the right wing get the nerve to attempt to defame a highly qualified woman? This is one of the most outrageous allegations made against a woman running for office. Somehow, the pardon of Marc Rich is suppose to reach from the grave to elect someone into the presidency. 

Americans do run fund raisers. They do contribute to democratic candidates. FOX has no right to begin such garbage in the news to defame highly qualified candidates.

This is the quality of journalism at FOX. They reach into the bottom of the barrel of gossip and resurrect it as if it happened today. They are counting on no one watching who cares to look up the facts to advocate for Hillary Clinton. They expect their viewers to drink up the gossip and run with it. 

FOX is garbage and they maintain their ratings with half trusts and flat out lies. When is this going to end? How long is the American woman going to have to put up with blatant sexism?

Typing up loose ends.

January 18, 2016

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - With San Francisco (click here) hosting Super Bowl City (click here) and Santa Clara hosting the game itself, federal officials say they're assessing all security threats.

In a memo to various law enforcement agencies, what the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are looking at include a series of unsolved vandalism of fiber optic cables in California....

There have been insults to the cable network at the stadium where the Superbowl will be played. It is probably attempts to steal transmissions. The FBI is concerned it might be more and cause safety issues at the stadium. 

..."Every criminal act doesn't have to be terrorism because it's disruptive to the financial institution or disruptive to Silicon Valley. People can get a lot of bang for the buck by cutting a fiber optic cable but it doesn't mean they're a terrorist group, “said Harp....

I think the FBI is taking every precaution including protecting any transmissions to viewers at home.

...Harp says the threat of a fiber optic attack is minimal....

Germany welcomes refugee children without parents.

January 19, 2016
Berlin (AP) " Germany's family minister (click here) is calling on the country's citizens to volunteer to mentor some 59,000 refugee children who came to the country without parents in 2015.
Manuela Schwesig says a free hotline was activated Tuesday to help Germans connect with unaccompanied minors from Syria and other countries.
The minister said refugee children and teenagers need lots of help with practical matters, legal questions, in school and everyday support. She said even before the hotline was activated, many Germans had signaled they wanted to help the children.
Prospective mentors must undergo police checks.
Some unaccompanied children are fostered in Germany, but many live together in special centers. Germany saw an influx of some 1.1 million asylum-seekers in 2015.