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newstfionline · 2 years

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Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Californians still digging out from severe snowfall (AP) Residents of Southern California mountain towns have continued to struggle to dig out and get necessities in the aftermath of a record-setting blizzard last month that dumped so much snow that roads became impassable and roofs collapsed. San Bernardino County authorities said the snowfall was so great it exceeded the capability of plows to clear roads, requiring earth-moving equipment and dump trucks to pick up and move snow. A shortage of tire chains further hampered the response. Roof collapses due to the weight of snow were reported, including a grocery store in the community of Crestline.

Number of teachers quitting hits new high (USA Today) The data is in: More teachers than usual exited the classroom after last school year, confirming longstanding fears that pandemic-era stresses would prompt an outflow of educators. That’s according to a Chalkbeat analysis of data from eight states—the most comprehensive accounting of recent teacher turnover to date. In Washington state, more teachers left the classroom after last school year than at any point in the last three decades. Maryland and Louisiana saw more teachers depart than any time in the last decade. And North Carolina saw a particularly alarming trend of more teachers leaving mid-school year. The turnover increases were not massive. But they were meaningful, and the churn could affect schools’ ability to help students make up for learning loss in the wake of the pandemic. This data also suggests that spiking stress levels, student behavior challenges, and a harsh political spotlight have all taken their toll on many American teachers. “Education had changed so dramatically since COVID. The issues were getting bigger and bigger,” said Rebecca Rojano, who last year left a job teaching high school Spanish in Connecticut. “I just found myself struggling to keep up.”

Two of the Americans kidnapped in Mexico are found dead, officials say (Washington Post) Two of the four Americans who were kidnapped in a Mexican border city last week have been found dead, Mexican officials said Tuesday morning. The other two were rescued and returned to the United States; a suspect was in custody. The attorney general of Tamaulipas, Irving Barrios Mojica, said two Americans had been returned to the United States at an international bridge with staff from the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros present. The Americans have been identified by family members as three friends who were accompanying a fourth who planned to undergo a medical procedure in Mexico. To avoid drawing the ire of the U.S. government, Mexico’s organized crime groups do not ordinarily target U.S. citizens. While it is unclear whether the killings will change U.S. security strategy, Mexico will come under pressure to demonstrate an effort to crack down on the groups involved in the kidnapping. That is not an easy task in a city such as Matamoros, where the Zeta cartel controls significant territory and has enough manpower and firearms to challenge Mexican security forces.

Chile starts second attempt to draft new constitution (Reuters) Chile has begun its second attempt to write a new constitution as a group of experts that Congress appointed to start preparing a preliminary draft was installed on Monday. The new proposal is expected to be more moderate than the first one, which voters overwhelmingly rejected last September and which would have been one of the world’s most progressive charters. The current constitution dates back to the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship, although it has undergone dozens of reforms over the years.

Striking French workers dispute that they want a ‘right to laziness’ (Washington Post) Although countries across Western Europe have been convulsed by strikes this winter, there have been few expressions of solidarity with the French unions aiming to bring their country to a standstill on Tuesday, to protest a planned increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64. Commentators have mocked French anger over “what would seem like a gentle reform” elsewhere or characterized the protests as a fight over a “right to laziness” on a delusional “island of the blessed” where full-time employees get at least five weeks of vacation a year. President Emmanuel Macron’s government is so far refusing to make concessions on the project’s core proposals, and despite only limited public support for the proposed changes, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin recently suggested “laziness” was driving the opposition against the government plans. It may be hard for outsiders to muster sympathy for French workers, with their 35-hour weeks, their generous lunch breaks and vacation time, and their “right to disconnect” from job-related communication outside of working hours. But in France, protesters feel misunderstood by critics. Far from laziness, they say, their furious response to Macron’s plan is at least partly rooted in a sentiment that the French are already working hard—too hard, in fact.

India witnessing ‘mad rush’ for luxury housing (Reuters) India’s DLF sold a $1 billion upmarket residential project in 72 hours while rival Godrej Properties is offering $3 million apartments to clients selected by invitation, two off-plan sales that are signalling a revival in luxury housing. Property developers say spacey high-price apartments that come with add-ons like concierge services, spas, multi-level parking, large green open spaces and a heated pool have become the rage. There are no such amenities in the individual houses and old apartment blocks that dominate India’s cramped and crowded cities. Many people want to upgrade their homes after the COVID-19 pandemic confined them indoors, industry executives say. Working from home has also led to a demand for larger apartments, supported by rising incomes and India’s growing number of nouveau riche. “I haven’t seen such a mad rush in a decade,” said Prashant Thakur, head of research at real estate consultant Anarock.

Fire rips through Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, displacing 12,000 (Washington Post) A massive fire ripped through the Rohingya refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh on Sunday, displacing about 12,000 people, authorities said. The disaster comes amid deteriorating conditions at the Kutupalong mega camp, home to nearly a million Rohingya. The tragedy has brought attention back to the struggles of the Rohingya people. They’ve been fleeing Myanmar for Bangladesh since 2017, when the military began cracking down on the minority group following an attempted uprising by a Rohingya insurgent group. There have been 222 fires, including 60 cases of arson, at Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh between January 2021 and December 2022. The refugees have also seen food donations shrink, with the U.N. announcing that it would be cutting food rations for Bangladesh refugee camps by 17% this month, with more cuts on the way.

US sees China propaganda efforts becoming more like Russia’s (AP) China has long been seen by the U.S. as a prolific source of anti-American propaganda but less aggressive in its influence operations than Russia, which has used cyberattacks and covert operations to disrupt U.S. elections and denigrate rivals. But many in Washington now think China is increasingly adopting tactics associated with Russia—and there’s growing concern the U.S. isn’t doing enough to respond. U.S. officials and outside experts cite recent examples of China-linked actors generating false news reports with artificial intelligence and posting large volumes of denigrating social media posts. Lawmakers and officials are particularly concerned about countries that comprise the “Global South” in Africa, Asia and Latin America, where both the U.S. and China have huge economic and political interests. Many of those countries have populations that support both sides—what an official called “swing states” in the narrative battle. The research firm Graphika recently identified AI-generated videos that it linked to a pro-Chinese influence operation. One video attacked the U.S. approach to stopping gun violence; another “stressed the importance of China-U.S. cooperation for the recovery of the global economy,” according to Graphika. And threat analysts at Google said they disrupted more than 50,000 instances of posts and other activity last year linked to a pro-China influence operation known as “Dragonbridge.”

Drivers strike over plan to remove aging Philippine jeepneys (AP) Philippine transport groups launched a nationwide strike Monday to protest a government program drivers fear would phase out traditional jeepneys, which have become a cultural icon, and other aging public transport vehicles. Officials, however, braced with contingencies and deployed government vehicles to take stranded passengers in some areas. Other groups refused to join the weeklong strike that could keep more than 40,000 passenger jeepneys and vans off the streets in the Manila metropolis alone. The government transport modernization program, first launched in 2017, aims to replace dangerously dilapidated and old passenger jeepneys and vans with modern vehicles. Opponents say most poor drivers could not afford to purchase new passenger jeepneys even with promised government financial aid. The diesel-powered jeepneys evolved from U.S. military jeeps that American forces left behind after World War II. The vehicles were modified and then reproduced, many with second-hand truck chassis, and for decades were the most popular form of land transport among the working class, even though they cough out dark fumes that have been blamed for Manila’s notoriously polluted air.

Israel’s Not-Real Apology (NBC News) Last Wednesday, Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said that “the [Palestinian] village of Hawara needs to be erased,” adding that “the state of Israel needs to do it.” Four days later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu realized that a government official shouldn’t call for the destruction of a village of 7,000 people and finally called out the comment as “inappropriate.” The initial call for the destruction of Hawara came as violence in the region has continued to rise since the beginning of the year. After criticism from the U.S., E.U., and U.N., Netanyahu finally walked back his minister’s call for violence on Sunday. “It is important for all of us to work to tone down the rhetoric [and] lower the temperature,” Netanyahu tweeted. He then thanked Smotrich for “making clear that his choice of words” was “inappropriate.” Smotrich had clarified his comments slightly, claiming he meant that Israel should operate surgically in the village in order to root out Palestinian militants.

Protests Over Netanyahu’s Judiciary Overhaul Spread to Israel’s Military (NYT) A plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to severely curtail the powers of Israel’s Supreme Court has prompted weeks of demonstrations, rattled the country’s technology sector and raised fears of political violence. Now, protests are emerging even within the nation’s military. Hundreds of soldiers in the military reserves either have signed letters expressing a reluctance to participate in nonessential duty or have already pulled out of training missions, officials said. The affected units include the 8200 division that deals with signal and cyberintelligence and whose graduates have helped drive the country’s tech industry, as well as elite combat units. The military leadership fears that growing anger within the ranks over the government’s plans will affect the operational readiness of Israel’s armed forces, according to senior military officials. It is most concerned about unrest within the Air Force, with reserve duty pilots increasingly upset over the government plans, the officials said. They also fear that they may be asked to engage in illegal operations, and that restraints on Israel’s judiciary may strengthen foreign calls to prosecute them in the International Criminal Court, the officials said. Reserve duty pilots often lead Israel’s regular airstrikes on Syria and the Gaza Strip, and would be involved in any major Israeli attack on nuclear facilities in Iran.

South African leader grapples with ever-worsening power cuts (AP) South Africa’s ever-worsening power crisis—in which homes and businesses go without electricity for up to 10 hours per day—is strangling Africa’s most developed economy. President Cyril Ramaphosa hopes that his new Electricity Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa will help his government to curb the rampant corruption and mismanagement that have put the country in the dark. Ramaphosa made the appointment in a long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle late Monday. The new minister will focus solely on dealing with the crippling power cuts, Ramaphosa said in his State of the Nation address last month, when he declared a state of disaster to deal with the electricity shortages affecting the country’s 60 million people. South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom has implemented rolling power cuts across the nation for years but 2022 was the worst and 2023 has started with even longer outages and no solution in sight.

#headlines #news

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beardedmrbean · 3 years

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For the second day in a row, several historically Black colleges and universities received bomb threats Tuesday, resulting in shelters-in-place and canceled classes as authorities swept campuses looking for devices. No explosions have been reported.

Howard University, in Washington, D.C., was threatened on both days. It declared an all-clear Tuesday as it did Monday.

CBS Washington, D.C., affiliate WUSA-TV says a bomb threat was also reported at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Tuesday.

Other schools getting threats Tuesday included Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida; Kentucky State University; Fort Valley State, in Georgia; Xavier University in Louisiana; Spelman College in Atlanta and Morgan State in Baltimore.

In addition to Howard on Monday, schools receiving threats included Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida; Albany State University in Georgia; Bowie State University in Maryland and Delaware State University.

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating.

"The FBI is aware of the series of bomb threats around the country and we are working with our law enforcement partners to address any potential threats," the FBI said in a statement to CBS News. "As always, we would like to remind members of the public that if they observe anything suspicious to report it to law enforcement immediately."

On Tuesday, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced he has contacted the FBI and DHS to help get HBCUs and their leaders "the answers they deserve."

"It is not lost on me that these threats are targeting African American educational institutions at a time when we are observing Black History Month," Thompson said Tuesday. "Moreover, this rash of threats against HBCUs put further strain on campuses and communities that were already under great stress, as they try to operate safely during the pandemic. These bomb threats against HBCUs deserve a full investigation, particularly given the dynamic terrorism threat landscape."

#nunyas news #taking bets on false flag or nah #at least for a few of them

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didanawisgi · 4 years

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Martin Luther King Jr., Guns, and a Book Everyone Should Read

BY JEREMY S. | JAN 15, 2018

“Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 89 years old today, were he not assassinated in 1968. On the third Monday in January we observe MLK Jr. Day and celebrate his achievements in advancing civil rights for African Americans and others. While Dr. King was a big advocate of peaceful assembly and protest, he wasn’t, at least for most of his life, against the use of firearms for self-defense. In fact, he employed them . . .

If it wasn’t for African Americans in the South, primarily, taking up arms almost without exception during the post-Civil War reconstruction and well into the civil rights movement, this country wouldn’t be what it is today.

By force and threat of arms African Americans protected themselves, their families, their homes, and their rights and won the attention and respect of the powers that be. In a lawless, post-Civil War South they stayed alive while faced with, at best, an indifferent government and, at worst, state-sponsored violence against them.

We know the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision of 1857 refused to recognize black people as citizens. Heck, they were deemed just three-fifths a person. Not often mentioned in school: some of that was due to gun rights. Namely, not wanting to give gun rights to blacks. Because if they were to recognize blacks as citizens, it…

“…would give to persons of the negro race . . . the right to enter every other State whenever they pleased, . . . and it would give them the full liberty of speech . . . ; to hold public meetings upon political affairs, and to keep and carry arms wherever they went.”

Ahha! So the Second Amendment was considered an individual right, protecting a citizen’s natural, inalienable right to keep and carry arms wherever they go. Then as now, gun control is rooted in racism.

During reconstruction, African Americans were legally citizens but were not always treated as such. Practically every African American home had a shotgun — or shotguns — and they needed it, too. Forget police protection, as those same officials were often in white robes during their time off.

Fast forward to the American civil rights movement and we learn, but again not at school, that Martin Luther King Jr. applied for a concealed carry permit. He (an upstanding minister, mind you) was denied.

Then as in many cases even now, especially in blue states uniquely and ironically so concerned about “fairness,” permitting was subjective (“may issue” rather than “shall issue”). The wealthy and politically connected receive their rights, but the poor, the uneducated, the undesired masses, not so much.

Up until late in his life, MLK Jr. chose to be protected by the Deacons for Defense. Though his home was also apparently a bit of an arsenal.

African Americans won their rights and protected their lives with pervasive firearms ownership. But we don’t learn about this. We don’t know about this. It has been unfortunately whitewashed from our history classes and our discourse.

Hidden, apparently, as part of an agreement (or at least an understanding) reached upon the conclusion of the civil rights movement.

Sure, the government is going to protect you now and help you and give you all of the rights you want, but you have to give up your guns. Turn them in. Create a culture of deference to the government. Be peaceable and non-threatening and harmless. And arm-less, as it were (and vote Democrat). African Americans did turn them in, physically and culturally.

That, at least, is an argument made late in Negroes and the Gun: the Black Tradition of Arms. It’s a fantastic book, teaching primarily through anecdotes of particular African American figures throughout history just how important firearms were to them. I learned so-freaking-much from this novel, and couldn’t recommend it more. If you have any interest in gun rights, civil rights, and/or African American history, it’s an absolute must-read.

Some text I highlighted on my Kindle Paperwhite when I read it in 2014:

But Southern blacks had to navigate the first generation of American arms-control laws, explicitly racist statutes starting as early as Virginia’s 1680 law, barring clubs, guns, or swords to both slaves and free blacks.

“…he who would be free, himself must strike the blow.”

In 1846, white abolitionist congressman Joshua Giddings of Ohio gave a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, advocating distribution of arms to fugitive slaves.

Civil-rights activist James Forman would comment in the 1960s that blacks in the movement were widely armed and that there was hardly a black home in the South without its shotgun or rifle.

A letter from a teacher at a freedmen’s school in Maryland demonstrates one set of concerns. The letter contains the standard complaints about racist attacks on the school and then describes one strand of the local response. “Both the Mayor and the sheriff have warned the colored people to go armed to school, (which they do) [and] the superintendent of schools came down and brought me a revolver.”

Low black turnout resulted in a Democratic victory in the majority black Republican congressional district.

Other political violence of the Reconstruction era centered on official Negro state militias operating under radical Republican administrations.

“The Winchester rifle deserves a place of honor in every Black home.” So said Ida B. Wells.

Fortune responded with an essay titled “The Stand and Be Shot or Shoot and Stand Policy”: “We have no disposition to fan the coals of race discord,” Thomas explained, “but when colored men are assailed they have a perfect right to stand their ground. If they run away like cowards they will be regarded as inferior and worthy to be shot; but if they stand their ground manfully, and do their own a share of the shooting they will be respected and by doing so they will lessen the propensity of white roughs to incite to riot.”

He used state funds to provide guns and ammunition to people who were under threat of attack.

“Medgar was nonviolent, but he had six guns in the kitchen and living room.”

“The weapons that you have are not to kill people with — killing is wrong. Your guns are to protect your families — to stop them from being killed. Let the Klan ride, but if they try to do wrong against you, stop them. If we’re ever going to win this fight we got to have a clean record. Stay here, my friends, you are needed most here, stay and protect your homes.”

In 2008 and 2010, the NAACP filed amicus briefs to the United States Supreme Court, supporting blanket gun bans in Washington, DC, and Chicago. Losing those arguments, one of the association’s lawyers wrote in a prominent journal that recrafting the constitutional right to arms to allow targeted gun prohibition in black enclaves should be a core plank of the modern civil-rights agenda.

Wilkins viewed the failure to pursue black criminals as overt state malevolence and evidence of an attitude that “there’s one more Negro killed — the more of ’em dead, the less to bother us. Don’t spend too much money running down the killer — he may kill another.”

But it puts things in perspective to note that swimming pool accidents account for more deaths of minors than all forms of death by firearm (accident, homicide, and suicide).

The correlation of very high murder rates with low gun ownership in African American communities simply does not bear out the notion that disarming the populace as a whole will disarm and prevent murder by potential murderers.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated 1,900,000 annual episodes where someone in the home retrieved a firearm in response to a suspected illegal entry. There were roughly half a million instances where the armed householder confronted and chased off the intruder.

A study of active burglars found that one of the greatest risks faced by residential burglars is being injured or killed by occupants of a targeted dwelling. Many reported that this was their greatest fear and a far greater worry than being caught by police.48 The data bear out the instinct. Home invaders in the United States are more at risk of being shot in the act than of going to prison.49 Because burglars do not know which homes have a gun, people who do not own guns enjoy free-rider benefits because of the deterrent effect of others owning guns. In a survey of convicted felons conducted for the National Institute of Justice, 34 percent of them reported being “scared off, shot at, wounded or captured by an armed victim.” Nearly 40 percent had refrained from attempting a crime because they worried the target was armed. Fifty-six percent said that they would not attack someone they knew was armed and 74 percent agreed that “one reason burglars avoid houses where people are at home is that they fear being shot.”

In the period before Florida adopted its “shall issue” concealed-carry laws, the Orlando Police Department conducted a widely advertised program of firearms training for women. The program was started in response to reports that women in the city were buying guns at an increased rate after an uptick in sexual assaults. The program aimed to help women gun owners become safe and proficient. Over the next year, rape declined by 88 percent. Burglary fell by 25 percent. Nationally these rates were increasing and no other city with a population over 100,000 experienced similar decreases during the period.55 Rape increased by 7 percent nationally and by 5 percent elsewhere in Florida.

As you can see, Negroes and the Gun progresses more or less chronologically, spending the last portion of the book discussing modern-day gun control. It’s an invaluable source of ammunition (if you’ll pardon the expression) against the fallacies of the pro-gun-control platform. It sheds light on a little-known (if not purposefully obfuscated), critical factor in the history of African Americans: firearms.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I highly recommend you — yes, you — read Negroes and the Gun: the Black Tradition of Arms.

And I’ll wrap this up with a quote in a Huffington Post article given by Maj Toure of Black Guns Matter:

https://cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/huffpo-maj-toure.jpg”

#books #black history #history #american history #Guns #civil rights #constitution #supreme court #gun control #martin luther king jr.#dread scott #concealed carry #concealedcarry #everydaycarry #gun confiscation

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coochiequeens · 3 years

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A cop with a history of sexually harassing women coworkers, attacked his ex wife, abducted his daughters by gunpoint, took another woman hostage at gun point then killed those poor girls. This is why cops need to do a better job screening applicants for misogynistic attitudes and mental health issues.

(CNN)A former Baltimore County police officer and two children believed to be his daughters he allegedly kidnapped are dead -- along with a suspended police sergeant allegedly on the run with him -- in an apparent "murder and suicide," Maryland State Police said Thursday.

Former officer Robert Vicosa, 41; suspended Baltimore County police Sgt. Tia Bynum, 35; and children believed to be Vicosa's 6- and 7-year-old daughters were found shot in a vehicle in western Maryland near the Pennsylvania state line, shortly after police tried to pull them over, authorities said.

Vicosa was accused of abducting his daughters at gunpoint Monday from the home of his estranged wife in Pennsylvania's Windsor Township, as well as assaulting the wife and stealing her vehicle, police in that state had said.

On Thursday afternoon, Pennsylvania State Police spotted a vehicle wanted in the case in southern Pennsylvania near Waynesboro, heading to the Maryland state line, and tried to stop it, authorities said. Shortly after the attempted traffic stop, and after the vehicle crossed into Maryland, the vehicle veered off the road and struck a fence line, Maryland State Police spokesperson Elena Russo said.

Officers surrounded the vehicle and tried to communicate with the occupants, but couldn't see inside because of "window tinting and interior fogging," Maryland State Police said in a news release.

After getting no response, officers broke open a passenger-side window and found Bynum in the driver's seat and Vicosa and two girls in the back seat, all of whom appeared to have been shot, police said.

Vicosa, Bynum and one girl were pronounced dead there. The other girl was flown to a hospital for treatment, but was later pronounced dead, Russo said.

Police did not say who is believed to have killed whom.

An assault rifle and other firearms were found in the vehicle, Maryland State Police said in the release. The alleged abduction at gunpoint On Monday afternoon, police responded to a home-invasion robbery in southern Pennsylvania's Windsor Township, where Vicosa allegedly assaulted his estranged wife, took their two daughters at gunpoint, stole her vehicle and fled the area, police said at a news conference Wednesday. Vicosa's estranged wife told police he had broken into the home, held her captive for more than 24 hours, had firearms and used drugs at the home. Police found corroborating evidence of the assault, break-in and drug activity at the scene, but didn't find the two daughters, York Area Regional Police Lt. Ken Schollenberger said.

Police pinged Vicosa's phone, which led them to the southern Pennsylvania home of Tia Bynum, a "close friend" of Vicosa, according to police. Bynum "was less than forthcoming" and didn't allow them to search her home, Schollenberger said. Bynum's home is in the Pennsylvania city of York, according to Baltimore County police. York is a roughly 50-mile drive north of Baltimore. Vicosa had abandoned his estranged wife's car and had taken an Acura that allegedly belonged to Bynum, according to Schollenberger. Police believe that the Acura turned into a waterway while he was driving it, forcing him and the girls to abandon the car. Police received a call on Tuesday from a woman who said she was held hostage by a male at gunpoint, according to Schollenberger. The woman reported to police that she went on a walk on her property, found the car overturned in the canal, and then discovered Vicosa in her camper. Vicosa then stole her car and phone, police said. Police pinged the stolen phone, which again led them to Bynum's home, they said. When they searched the home, police didn't find Bynum, Vicosa or the children. Another one of Bynum's cars were also missing, police said. Vicosa and Bynum's history at the Baltimore County Police Department Vicosa was employed by the Baltimore County Police Department from 2004 until he was terminated in August of 2021, BCPD spokeswoman Joy Stewart said. According to a report shared with CNN by the BCPD, Vicosa was demoted from sergeant to officer and eventually terminated after being investigated over four allegations, including three where he was allegedly inappropriate with female officers by viewing inappropriate videos in their presence and making remarks of a sexual nature. Bynum was recently suspended from her role as sergeant at the BCPD due to her being accused of being on the run with Vicosa, Stewart told CNN.

CNN's Jason Hanna contributed to this report.

Anyone else remember this story?

All the children killed alongside their mother expect for one three year old boy was all girls.

#Baltimore #male violence #Those two poor girls #The poor mother of those two girls #Fathers killing their children to hurt their ex

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kemetic-dreams · 5 years

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Nine Alleged Members Of The Jenifer Drug Trafficking Organization Charged By Indictment And Implicated In A 2012 Murder

82 Kilograms of Cocaine Having a Street Value of $8.2 Million Seized During the Investigation

Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury has indicted nine defendants – seven men and two women – who are alleged to be members of the Jenifer drug trafficking organization (Jenifer DTO) for conspiring to distribute kilograms of cocaine in the Baltimore metropolitan and Woodbridge, Virginia areas. The indictment seeks the forfeiture of $15 million. The indictment was returned on September 3, 2014 and unsealed on October 9, 2014 upon the arrests of defendants.

The search warrant affidavit was unsealed today after the execution of 25 search warrants. During the searches, law enforcement recovered 27 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $3 million; several hundred thousand dollars in cash recovered from the residences of some of the defendants; over $2 million in jewelry, including a 16 carat diamond ring; and luxury vehicles.

“The indictment and affidavit describe how drug organizations transport cocaine to Baltimore and move cash out of the city by relying on a network of suppliers, couriers, distributors, dealers and money launderers, and by using vehicles with hidden compartments,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “The affidavit also explains how law enforcement agents catch drug dealers by using physical and electronic surveillance, wiretaps and cell phone data.” The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gary Tuggle of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Kelly of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department; and Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department.

The arrests and searches were the result of coordinated operations by the DEA, IRS – Criminal Investigation, Baltimore City Police Department and Baltimore County Police Department, with the assistance of agents from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The indictment charges the following defendants, all of whom are presently in federal custody:

Kedrick Arnold Jenifer, a/k/a “Ricky Jenifer,” “James Howard Collier, Jr.” and “Rick,” age 43, of Bowie, Maryland; Tyrone Allen, age 42, of Bel Air, Maryland; Brooke Renee Lunn, a/k/a “Brooke Thomas,” and “Brooke Renee,” age 48, of Baltimore; Tracy Muse, a/k/a “Kimberly Scott,” age 41, of Pearland, Texas; Thomas Simmons, age 37, of Hampton, Virginia; Andre Brewer, age 35, of Elkridge, Maryland; Michael Williams, age 40, of Baltimore; Kermit Clark, age 44, of Baltimore; and William Hegie, age 54, of Baltimore.

All of the defendants were arrested last week Thursday, October 9, 2014, except for Michael Williams who turned himself in on Friday, October 10th.

According to an affidavit in support of search warrants, law enforcement started investigating the Jenifer DTO in March 2013. The Jenifer DTO is a Baltimore-based drug trafficking and money-laundering organization with ties to Houston, Texas; Staten Island, New York; and Woodbridge, Virginia.

From September 2012 to September 2014, the Jenifer DTO allegedly obtained kilogram-quantities of cocaine from Houston and distributed the cocaine throughout the Baltimore area and in Woodbridge, Virginia.

"The arrest of these alleged Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) members emphasizes the proactive work that the Drug Enforcement Administration and our law enforcement partners undertake every day to stop the flow of drugs from entering the Baltimore metropolitan area,” stated Gary Tuggle, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Baltimore District Office. “DEA’s investigation of this DTO was a long-term, highly complex effort which used a myriad of investigative techniques to expose this DTO. Additionally, by hitting drug trafficking organizations where it hurts them most and seizing drug proceeds, in this case cash, vehicles and properties, we are crippling their ability to ever return.”

Kedrick Jenifer is the alleged leader of the drug organization. He directed the collection and transportation of money from Baltimore to Houston, and the transportation of cocaine from Houston to Baltimore.

The affidavit alleges that the drug organization concealed money and cocaine in hidden compartments in vehicles that were driven between Baltimore and Houston. The vehicles were sometimes transported on car carriers. Cocaine and cash were stored at the homes of the defendants, their family members, and at a business complex called RCH Plaza on West Franklin Street in Baltimore. Vehicles with hidden compartments were brought to the business complex, where DTO members concealed large amounts of cash or cocaine.

The affidavit alleges that in October of 2009, while traveling from Baltimore to California, Jenifer and Tyrone Allen stopped in Phoenix, Arizona. At the Phoenix airport, police seized $97,020 and three cell phones from Jenifer, and $70,680 and eight cell phones from Allen.

On September 27, 2012, the affidavit alleges, Brooke Lunn and a man named John Moore were arrested near Houston with approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a vehicle. Tracy Muse, believed to be a girlfriend of Jenifer, posted bond for the release of Lunn and Moore. Lunn and Moore returned to Maryland.

On October 20, 2012, Moore was fatally shot in the back of the head in Baltimore. According to the affidavit, his murder is believed to be related to the cocaine seizure.

On July 2, 2013, Arkansas Highway Patrol searched a vehicle transported by the Jenifer DTO from Baltimore to Houston by car carrier, while it was being driven back to Baltimore. From a hidden compartment in the rear of the vehicle, 23.8 kilograms of cocaine were seized. Following the seizure, Jenifer allegedly returned to using Lunn to transport cash and cocaine between Baltimore and Houston. Since August 2013, Lunn is believed to have made 30 trips between the cities, transporting cash and cocaine.

In June 2014, agents saw Simmons give Jenifer a black bag in a parking lot in Woodbridge, Virginia. Virginia State Police pulled Simmons over 60 miles away and seized two kilograms of cocaine from a black bag concealed in a hidden compartment in Simmons’ vehicle.

Jenifer owns World Fed Apparel, Inc., a clothing store in Baltimore. Jenifer is also a co-owner of Flavor Factory, LLC, which is believed to own an ice cream franchise in Baltimore.

Jenifer and his companies currently own the following vehicles:

2013 Rolls Royce Ghost valued at $296,000, 2014 Ferrari 458 Italia valued at $271,000, 2014 BMW M6 valued at $113,925, 2015 Ford F-250 truck valued at $56,000,

and a 2012 Acura ZDX, a 2010 Honda Crosstour, a 2006 Acura and a 2009 GMC Denali truck. Jenifer kept some high end vehicles at a storage unit in Laurel, Maryland. Brewer allegedly bought a 2014 Mercedes S63 AMG, worth approximately $156,900.

The defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

The defendants had their initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, Virginia and Texas last week. Hegie and Clark consented to detention. A detention hearing was held on October 14, 2014, in federal court in Baltimore for Lunn and she is detained. A detention hearing in federal court in Baltimore is scheduled for Jenifer, Allen and Brewer on October 16, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively, and for Muse on October 17 at 10:00 a.m. Williams is detained until arrangements are completed for his release on home detention with electronic monitoring. Simmons is in custody in the Eastern District of Virginia. No date has been set for a hearing for him in Maryland.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation and Baltimore City and County Police Departments for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein commended the U.S. Marshal Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for their assistance in the execution of the search and arrest warrants, and the Virginia State Police who assisted with the June 2014 seizure of cocaine.

Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Sippel, Jr. and Scott A. Lemmon, who are prosecuting the case, and expressed his appreciation to the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Texas and the Southern District of New York for their assistance in the prosecution of this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Case.

#roc nation

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zaksnothereanymore-blog · 6 years

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Hey I hit 500 followers, yay!

I’m actually super excited about that, but that’s not the point of this post. I want to discuss something I normally hate hearing about. Gun Control.

Now let me start by saying this, I am a southern boy, born in Arkansas and lived in Missouri for as long as I can remember. I love guns, shooting them, collecting them, hell I was assistant manager at a gun shop for 2 years, and I sold everything from cheap little pistols to one of a kind collectors weapons. I tell you all this to explain my passion for weaponry, but also to highlight my experience.

That out of the way, those of you who saw my recent post about the shooting in Florida may remember that I was worried about what kind of crap would come in the followup of all that, but much to my surprise, I have seen more people discussing the issue bigger than the gun that creep used (still not putting his name on my blog). The real issue is that guy had mental issues. According to news sources, he had been suffering from massive depression and psychotic episodes. He has been having treatment since he was 12, and his mother stated that he had an obsession with video games that was far and away worse than enjoyment. The kid wouldn’t wash himself for days because he was to busy playing games. Add all this to the fact that his parents had issues resulting in an ugly divorce, and it’s safe to say that this guy was a walking time bomb waiting to go off.

I highlight this, because I feel it is an important part of what I believe is a serious issue. Like I said above, I sold guns. Lots of em, so I know how it works. Any time you buy a gun from a licensed dealer, you fill out paperwork, and then you wait for the dealer to call the Federal Government and get their approval to sell you that gun. Let me repeat that. The Federal Government has to approve the dealer to sell you a gun. It’s not an automated system, it’s a real person that the dealer speaks to on the phone, standing in front of you, and gives them the information. They process it, and then say either yes you can buy this gun, no you can’t buy this gun, or yes you can, but you must wait a certain amount of time, usually between 3 and 7 days. Now according to the article, the shooter bought two hand guns in his home state of Maryland, and apparently there are additional rules about that.

“Since 2013, residents in Maryland must obtain a handgun qualification license from the state police before purchasing a pistol or revolver. That means (the shooter) would have submitted his fingerprints, undergone a background check, and passed a firearms safety training course to buy those guns.”

So how, during all of this paperwork and federal background checks, did someone who has a history of mental illness as well as being prescribed anti psychotics, get approved to buy guns? This is the problem. I think our current system of buying weapons needs an overhaul, and not just on a state level, but a federal level as well. Obviously it would be a bit more nuanced than what I can come up with, but the basics of my idea is this. If you have been diagnosed with mental issues, then your rights to buy a gun should be carefully examined.

It is in fact a Constitutional Right that we as Americans have the right to bear arms, and it’s a right that I firmly stand behind. As a matter of fact, I believe folks should be more educated in the use of firearms as a country. But, people have issues, and those issues need to be looked at when it comes to weaponry. Again, this wouldn’t apply to everyone, and would be a case by case basis. Someone who had to be prescribed depression medication in their teen years may be a completely different and perfectly sane person now, while the next depressed person may be on the verge of a psychotic break down which will result in death and injury. We can’t blanket fix this issue. That means a revamp of our system, that means more people who can examine gun buying requests on a case by case basis, which means more jobs as well. That’s two birds, one shotgun blast. Is that not how the saying goes? I don’t know.

Once again, I’m just a regular guy with some thoughts, and if you disagree with me, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’d be happy to discuss things with you civilly. That’s the key, not just with me, but with everyone, be civil y'all. All this screaming at each other does is sow dissent and give me a damn headache.

#gun control #gun controversy #ar15 #hand gun #mental illness #depression #colt #1911

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patriotsnet · 3 years

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How Many Republicans Are In The United States

New Post has been published on https://www.patriotsnet.com/how-many-republicans-are-in-the-united-states/

How Many Republicans Are In The United States

Polling Data Shows Republican Party Affiliation Is Down As Independents Leaning Toward The Democratic Party Surge

Democrats have a nine-percentage-point affiliation advantage over Republicans at the moment.

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The GOP is losing its grip, according to the latest Gallup poll.

The number of Americans identifying as Republicans or as independents who lean toward the GOP dropped to 40% in the first quarter of 2021, compared with the number of Democrats or independents leaning toward the Democratic party hitting 49%. And that nine-percentage-point lead is the greatest Democratic advantage that Gallup has measured since the fourth quarter of 2012, when former President Barack Obama was re-elected.

Gallup routinely measures U.S. adults’ party identification and the political leanings of independents. The latest poll surveyed a random sample of 3,960 U.S. adults by phone between January and March of 2021. And while Democratic Party affiliation actually dropped by one point from the fourth quarter of 2020, to 30% — where it has hovered for most of the past eight years — the number of Americans identifying as independent rose to 44% from 38% last quarter. And this growing number of independents came at the expense of the Republican party, as 19% of independents said they lean Democrat, compared with 15% leaning Republican. Most of the remaining 11% of independents didn’t swing either way.

And several events have happened during those three months that could position the Democratic Party more favorably in voters’ eyes, the Gallup report noted.

Opinion:

A Different America: How Republicans Hold Near Total Control In 23 Us States

In those states, Republicans hold the governorship and the legislature, giving them the power to take aim at abortion access, trans rights, voting and gun safety

Last modified on Tue 15 Jun 2021 14.38 BST

Democrats across the US cheered last month, as Texas legislators staged a walkout from the statehouse to block the passage of a Republican bill that would enact a number of restrictions on voting access.

But the victory seemed short-lived, as the state’s Republican governor, Greg Abbott, quickly announced he planned to call a special session to get the legislation passed.

The walkout and the probably only temporary relief it provides for Democrats demonstrated the immense legislative power that Republicans have in dozens of states across the country and the ability that gives them to pass a hard-right agenda on a vast range of issues from abortion to the ability to vote.

In 23 US states, Republicans hold the governorship and the legislature, giving the party near total control to advance its policies. This year, Republicans have used that power to aggressively push their conservative social agenda – taking aim at abortion access, transgender rights and gun safety, as well as voting laws.

During the Texas legislative session, which concluded late last month, Republicans approved bills to allow permitless carry of firearms, ban abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and increase criminal penalties for protesters who block intersections.

For The First Time There Are Fewer Registered Republicans Than Independents

For the first time in history, there are more registered independents in the United States than there are registered Republicans.

It may not be for the reason you think, though.

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New data from Ballot Access News, which tracks registrations in the 31 states that require voters to register by party, shows that independents account for 29.09 percent of voters in them, compared with 28.87 percent for Republicans. As recently as 2004, Republicans outpaced independents by nearly 10 percentage points.

There are still way more registered Democrats; 39.66 percent of voters are registered with that party.

This marks the first time since party registration began in the early 1900s that the number of registered independents in the United States has surpassed members of either major political party, according to Ballot Access News.

Here’s the data going back to 2004:

But before anybody chalks this up as having to do with the current occupant of the White House, it’s worth parsing the trends.

While independents have surpassed Republicans, there actually hasn’t been a huge drop in GOP party registration since President Trump took office. Since October 2016, GOP registration has dropped by half a percentage point. The number of registered Democrats declined by nearly a full point over the same span. Independents have benefited from both drops.

Republican Lawmakers Push To Cast Vaccine Refusal As A Civil Rights Issue

Bills in several statehouses seek to block employers from demanding Covid-19 immunization, even though few do

Last modified on Fri 16 Jul 2021 19.48 BST

State Republican lawmakers across the United States are pushing forward bills that prohibit vaccine mandates in an attempt to give the refusal to have a Covid-19 vaccine the same sort of legal protections as those often surrounding issues of gender, religion and race.

Many Republican states are introducing bills that outlaw vaccine mandates within state offices, schools and workplaces, even though vaccine mandates are not commonplace among employers. They also come as the vaccine rollout in the US has slowed markedly, even though the more contagious Delta variant is spreading rapidly, especially among unvaccinated people.

Covid-19 vaccines are life-saving medications whose side effects are generally mild. Independent expert panels have repeatedly found the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risk of potential Covid-19 infection. More than 185 million Americans have received at least one vaccine dose.

“It’s sort of a solution looking for a problem,” said Lowell Pearson, a managing partner at Husch Blackwell, a firm that has been tracking the bills. “We’re not seeing really any broad sense that employers are requiring vaccines in office settings, in manufacturing settings and other places like that.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene: Us House Votes To Strip Republican Of Key Posts

The US House of Representatives has voted to expel a Republican congresswoman from two committees over incendiary remarks she made before being elected last November.

Marjorie Taylor Greene had promoted baseless QAnon conspiracy theories and endorsed violence against Democrats.

Before the vote, she said she regretted her views, which included claims that school shootings and 9/11 were staged.

Eleven Republicans joined the Democrats to pass the motion by 230-199.

The Republican dilemma, embodied in one politician

It means the representative – who was elected in November, representing a district in the southern state of Georgia – cannot take up her place on the education and budget committees.

This would limit her ability to shape policy as most legislation goes through a committee before reaching the House floor. Committee positions can determine the influence of individual lawmakers in their party.

It is highly unusual for one party to intervene in another party’s House committee assignments.

On Friday, Mrs Greene said that she woke up “laughing” at the situation.

“I woke up early this morning literally laughing thinking about what a bunch of morons the Democrats are for giving some one like me free time,” she tweeted, referencing the 11 Republicans who also voted to remove her.

At a news conference in Washington hours later, Mrs Greene said that Democrats had “stripped my district of their voice” by removing her from the committees.

Why Do I Put My Life On The Line Pandemic Trauma Haunts Health Workers

Many health workers feel disillusioned and underappreciated.

Republican state Sen. Ralph Alvarado of Kentucky, a 50-year-old physician, said instead of shaming people who are reluctant to get vaccinated, it’s crucial to understand their concerns. He said he spends a lot of time dispelling myths about vaccines among his constituents, patients and community.

“As a doctor, I remind my colleagues that when we prescribe or recommend a course of action for somebody, no matter what the disease or prevention is, if people become resistant or hesitant, our medical code of ethics doesn’t say to humiliate,” he said. “You reassure and educate them.”

He added that a lot of people are fearful when politics is involved, because “people pick sides instead of picking the message.”

Public health experts also have stressed the need to focus outreach efforts on science. An analysis published in Health Affairs, a peer-reviewed health journal, stated that when “science and values, not politics, inform public health,” it “unlocks potential for higher vaccine coverage.”

The de Beaumont Foundation, a Maryland-based charitable foundation focused on health solutions, held a two-hour session with a focus group in March that found messaging helps to build trust. The group consisted of almost 20 people who identified as conservative Republicans who supported Trump.

List Of Current Mayors Of The Top 100 Cities In The United States

Municipal partisanship in 2021

This page lists the current mayors of the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.

As of 2013, an estimated 62,186,079 citizens lived in these cities, accounting for 19.67 percent of the nation’s total population.

In most of the nation’s largest cities, mayoral elections are officially nonpartisan, though many officeholders and candidates are affiliated with political parties. Ballotpedia used one or more of the following sources to identify each officeholder’s partisan affiliation: direct communication from the officeholder, current or previous candidacy for partisan office, or identification of partisan affiliation by multiple media outlets. As of August 2021, the partisan breakdown of the mayors of the 100 largest U.S. cities was 63 Democrats, 26 Republicans, four independents, and six nonpartisans. The affiliation of one mayor was unknown.

Of these cities, there are 47 strong mayor governments, 46 council-manager governments, six hybrid governments, and one city commission.

At the start of 2021…

HIGHLIGHTS

Based on 2013 population estimates, 76% of the population of the top 100 cities lived in cities with Democratic mayors, and 15% lived in cities with Republican mayors.

Allen Joines , mayor of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, had been in office the longest; he first took office in 2001.

This page includes:

Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.Submit

100 Largest Cities By Population Rank Strong mayor No

Census Data May Blunt Expected Republican Election Gains In 2022

FILE – This April 5, 2020, photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit.

WASHINGTON – The release of detailed local data from the U.S. census this week demonstrated that the country is diversifying and urbanizing more quickly than many had believed, and those results have real consequences for what Congress will look like throughout the coming decade.

In general, the news was good for the Democratic Party. It suggests that some of the anticipated losses in the 2022 elections may be mitigated slightly by population growth in large metropolitan areas, which tend to vote for Democrats, and a decline in rural populations, which tend to favor the Republican Party.

In his analysis for The Cook Political Report, David Wasserman wrote that “although Republicans hold more sway in redistricting, Democrats have to be pretty happy with today’s results.”

Drawing new congressional maps

The decennial count of the American people is used for many purposes, but one of the most visible is the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives. While every state’s allotment of senators is fixed at two, the size of their respective House delegations varies with population.

Republicans favored to take House

GOP advantage blunted

Inevitable lawsuits

Wasserman also pointed out that the data may also make it more difficult for Republicans to defend especially aggressive redistricting in court.

Map: Republicans To Have Full Control Of 23 States Democrats 15

In 2021, Republicans will have full control of the legislative and executive branch in 23 states. Democrats will have full control of the legislative and executive branch in 15 states.

Population of the 24 fully R-controlled states: 134,035,267Population of the 15 fully D-controlled states: 120,326,393

Republicans have full control of the legislative branch in 30 states. Democrats have full control of the legislative branch in 18 states.

Population of the 30 fully R-controlled legislature states: 185,164,412Population of the 18 fully D-controlled legislature states: 133,888,565

This week, Andrew Cuomo’s star went down in flames. While the smoke clears, let’s take a moment to sit back and reminisce about the governor’s long history with ethical and legal violations.

Cuomo’s controversies regarding sexual harassment and nursing homes deaths were far from his first abuses of power. In fact, his administration has a long history of it, ranging from interfering with ethics commissions, to financial corruption.

In July 2013, Cuomo formed the Moreland Commission to investigate corruption in New York’s government. At first it was a success, giving Cuomo good PR. Yet as it went on there were rumors that, contrary to his claim that “Anything they want to look at they can look at,” Cuomo was interfering with the Commission’s investigations. There was friction within the Commission, itself with two factions forming: “’Team Independence’ and ‘Team We-Have-a-Boss’.”

Are There More Democrats Than Republicans In The United States

I have been thinking about the Democratic Party and whether or not its members are more numerous than the opposing faction.

Evidence to suggest this is the case:

This party is expected to win the popular vote for president seven out of eight times since 1992. Please don’t say “this hasn’t happened yet”. If this bothers you, say 6 out of 7.

The party has received 51.9 percent of the votes cast in presidential elections from 1992 to 2016 for it or its opponent, the Republican Party. This shows that 2012 was the mean election in popular vote as of 2016.

Party registration in states that register by party says this same thing.

Trump’s approval has not gone above 50 percent ever as president on 538.

A plurality of Americans consistently supported impeachment by 2 to 5 points while it was happening.

This suggests that the partisan lean the American electorate is about D+4. I believe that it might be closer to D+5 now for various reasons and the fact that 2012 was the mean result. This can get a little bit fuzzy because of independents.

Active Oldest Votes

If we look at opinion polling, Gallup has collated party affiliation polls back to 2004. The most recent poll at the time of writing gives a D+11 advantage. Looking just at the net Republican/Democrat advantage, ignoring Independents, we can create the graph below – with positive percentages representing a Democrat lead, and negative percentages representing a Republican lead.

To give a theoretical perspective on this:

Democrats Think Many Republicans Sincere And Point To Policy

Democrats, however, were somewhat more generous in their answers. More than four in ten Democratic voters felt that most Republican voters had the country’s best interests at heart . And many tried their best to answer from the other’s perspective. A 45-year-old male voter from Ohio imagined that as a Republican, he was motivated by Republicans’ “harsh stance on immigration; standing up for the 2nd Amendment; promised tax cuts.” A 30-year-old woman from Colorado felt that Republican votes reflected the desires to “stop abortion… stop gay marriage from ruining our country… and give us our coal jobs back.”

Other Democrats felt that their opponents were mostly motivated by the GOP’s “opposition to Obamacare,” “lower taxes” and to support a party that “reduced unemployment.”

Scholarly Views On The Genetics And Psychology Of Politics

In Predisposed: Liberals, Conservatives, and the Biology of Political Differences three political scientists provide psychological and biological explanation of how a person’s genetic makeup predisposes them to be liberal or conservative. They conclude:

If you accept that your political views are imbued less with majestic rationality than primal biology, that they bubble up from within rather than get passed down from on high, and if you recognize that predispositions affect how people perceive, process, and experience the world, you will have learned something valuable….

Democrats Return The Favor: Republicans Uninformed Or Self

The 429 Democratic voters in our sample returned the favor and raised many of the same themes. Democrats inferred that Republicans must be “VERY ill-informed,” or that “Fox news told me to vote for Republicans.” Or that Republicans are “uneducated and misguided people guided by what the media is feeding them.”

Many also attributed votes to individual self-interest – whereas GOP voters feel Democrats want “free stuff,” many Democrats believe Republicans think that “I got mine and don’t want the libs to take it away,” or that “some day I will be rich and then I can get the benefits that rich people get now.”

Many used the question to express their anger and outrage at the other side. Rather than really try to take the position of their opponents, they said things like, “I like a dictatorial system of Government, I’m a racist, I hate non-whites.”

Vaccination Outreach Shifts As Demand Drops In Some States

Some states are hitting a hesitancy wall.

Not all Republican men are so staunchly resistant.

At 70 years old, longtime Georgia state Rep. Tommy Benton said it would be foolish for him and others in his age group to turn down a vaccine. Benton, who doesn’t have underlying health conditions, didn’t want to catch COVID-19 or transmit it to his grandkids or peers, he said.

“It doesn’t matter how healthy you are. At…65 or above, you might end up getting sick with this disease and it’ll be more than your 65-or-above system can handle,” Benton said.

Wyoming state Rep. Daniel Zwonitzer, 41, who lives in the most vaccine-hesitant state in the country, said he took a vaccine for the safety of others, particularly for the older staff, legislators and volunteers in the Wyoming legislature. While Zwonitzer believes in freedom and liberty, he said, he also believes in public health. Zwonitzer does not have any preexisting health conditions, he noted.

He said a few of his Republican colleagues think COVID-19 and vaccines against it are a hoax, but he disagreed, pointing out that one of his fellow Republicans died from the disease.

Some Republican men and health officials cited the politicization of mask-wearing and shutdowns under former President Donald Trump’s administration, and its downplaying of the seriousness of the pandemic, as causes for the vaccine hesitancy among conservatives.

Taking The Perspective Of Others Proved To Be Really Hard

The divide in the United States is wide, and one indication of that is how difficult our question proved for many thoughtful citizens. A 77-year-old Republican woman from Pennsylvania was typical of the voters who struggled with this question, telling us, “This is really hard for me to even try to think like a devilcrat!, I am sorry but I in all honesty cannot answer this question. I cannot even wrap my mind around any reason they would be good for this country.”

Similarly, a 53-year-old Republican from Virginia said, “I honestly cannot even pretend to be a Democrat and try to come up with anything positive at all, but, I guess they would vote Democrat because they are illegal immigrants and they are promised many benefits to voting for that party. Also, just to follow what others are doing. And third would be just because they hate Trump so much.” The picture she paints of the typical Democratic voter being an immigrant, who goes along with their party or simply hates Trump will seem like a strange caricature to most Democratic voters. But her answer seems to lack the animus of many.

Democrats struggled just as much as Republicans. A 33-year-old woman from California told said, “i really am going to have a hard time doing this” but then offered that Republicans “are morally right as in values, … going to protect us from terrorest and immigrants, … going to create jobs.”

The Republican Party General Policy And Political Values

The Republican Party is often referred to as the GOP. This abbreviation stands for Grand Old Party. Its logo is an elephant. The Republican Party is known to support right-leaning ideologies of conservatism, social conservatism, and economic libertarianism, among other -isms. Thus, Republicans broadly advocate for traditional values, a low degree of government interference, and large support of the private sector.

One main standpoint of the Republican Party platform is a strong focus on the family and individual freedom. Generally, the Republican Party therefore often tends to promote states’ and local rights. That means that they often wish for federal regulations to play a lesser role in policymaking. Furthermore, the GOP has a pro-business-oriented platform. Thus, the party advocates for businesses to exist in a free market instead of being impacted by tight government regulations.

The Democratic Party General Policy And Political Values

The Democratic Party generally represents left-leaning, liberal and progressive ideological values, thus advocating for a strong government to regulate business and support for the citizens of the United States. Thus, one of the key values emphasized by Democrats is social responsibility. Overall, Democrats believe that a prominent and powerful government can ensure welfare and equality for all. Much like the Republican Party, political opinions within the Democratic Party stretch across a wide spectrum, as both parties are, to a large degree, decentralized. However, from a general point of view, Democrats tend to support heavy taxation of high-income households. In comparison to Denmark, where taxes are generally high, the Democratic taxation policy may not seem excessive, but on a U.S. taxation scale these tax percentages are in the heavy end.

Theres Never Been A Better Time For Civic Engagement

You’ve cast your vote. Now what? Join 10 million other Americans using GovTrack to learn about and contact your representative and senators and track what Congress is doing each day.

And starting in 2019 we’ll be tracking Congress’s oversight investigations of the executive branch.

You’re more than a vote, so support GovTrack today with a tip of any amount:

Or keep using GovTrack for free! Our public interest mission means we will never put our service behind a paywall.

Govtrackus Is Taking A New Focus On Civic Education

Help us develop the tools to bring real-time legislative data into the classroom.

If you’ve visited a bill page on GovTrack.us recently, you may have noticed a new “study guide” tab located just below the bill title. This is part of a new project to develop better tools for bringing real-time legislative data into the classroom. We hope to enable educators to build lesson plans centered around any bill or vote in Congress, even those as recent as yesterday.

We’re looking for feedback from educators about how GovTrack can be used and improved for your classroom. If you teach United States government and would like to speak with us about bringing legislative data into your classroom, please reach out!

Has Marjorie Taylor Greene Really Left Qanon Behind

Analysis by Alistair Coleman, BBC Monitoring

Marjorie Taylor Greene has said that she stopped believing in the QAnon conspiracy in 2018

However, she continued to allude to ideas pushed by QAnon believers.

In a 2019 video she claimed that then-Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was being played by a body double.

The idea stemmed from the macabre conspiracy theory that Ginsburg’s death – which actually did occur, later, in September 2020 – was somehow being covered up.

Odd as it sounds, in feverish QAnon groups where the rumour was born, whispers about imposters and political “body doubles” are fairly common.

In December 2020, she insisted in a now-deleted social media post that the QAnon community was “exposing truth”.

And somewhat prophetically, in a February 2019 video post she called for people to flood the US Capitol building to demonstrate against Democrats. The month before, she “liked” a post saying that it would be quicker to remove House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “with a bullet to the head”.

She refused to address these issues when questioned Friday. Mrs Greene may have left overt support for QAnon behind, but it appears she’s still paying attention to what’s being said in conspiracy-minded groups.

The Philosophy Behind Democratic Economic Policy

Democrats gear their economic policies to benefit low-income and middle-income families. They argue that reducing income inequality is the best way to foster economic growth. Low-income families are more likely to spend any extra money on necessities instead of saving or investing it. That directly increases demand and spurs economic growth. Democrats also support a Keynesian economic theory, which says that the government should spend its way out of a recession.

One dollar spent on increased food stamp benefits generates $1.73 in economic output.??

President Franklin D. Roosevelt first outlined the Economic Bill of Rights in his 1944 State of the Union address. It included taxes on war profiteering and price controls on food costs. President Harry Truman’s 1949 Fair Deal proposed an increase in the minimum wage, civil rights legislation, and national health care. President Barack Obama expanded Medicaid with the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

The Philosophy Behind Republican Economic Policy

Republicans advocate supply-side economics that primarily benefits businesses and investors. This theory states that tax cuts on businesses allow them to hire more workers, in turn increasing demand and growth. In theory, the increased revenue from a stronger economy offsets the initial revenue loss over time.

Republicans advocate the right to pursue prosperity without government interference. They argue this is achieved by self-discipline, enterprise, saving, and investing.

Republicans’ business-friendly approach leads most people to believe that they are better for the economy. A closer look reveals that Democrats are, in many respects, actually better.

% Of Republicans View Trump As True Us President

Reuters

A combination picture shows U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaking during the first 2020 presidential campaign debate, held on the campus of the Cleveland Clinic at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., September 29, 2020. Picture taken September 29, 2020. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

WASHINGTON, May 24 – A majority of Republicans still believe Donald Trump won the 2020 U.S. presidential election and blame his loss to Joe Biden on illegal voting, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll.

The May 17-19 national poll found that 53% of Republicans believe Trump, their party’s nominee, is the “true president” now, compared to 3% of Democrats and 25% of all Americans.

About one-quarter of adults believe the Nov. 3 election was tainted by illegal voting, including 56% of Republicans, according to the poll. The figures were roughly the same in a poll that ran from Nov. 13-17 which found that 28% of all Americans and 59% of Republicans felt that way.

A Democrat, Biden won by more than seven million votes. Dozens of courts rejected Trump’s challenges to the results, but Trump and his supporters have persisted in pushing baseless conspiracy theories on conservative news outlets.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 61% of Republicans believe the election was “stolen” from Trump. Only about 29% of Republicans believe he should share some of the blame for his supporters’ Jan. 6 deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Voter Registration And State Political Control

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.

The state Democratic or Republican Party controls the governorship, the state legislative houses, and U.S. Senate representation. Nebraska’s legislature is unicameral, i.e., it has only one legislative house and is officially non-partisan, though party affiliation still has an unofficial influence on the legislative process.

The simplest measure of party strength in a state voting population is the affiliation totals from voter registration for the 30 states and the District of Columbia as of 2019 that allow registered voters to indicate a party preference when registering to vote. 20 states do not include party preference with voter registration: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The party affiliations in the party control table are obtained from state party registration figures where indicated. Only Wyoming has a majority of registered voters identifying themselves as Republicans; two states have a majority of registered voters identifying themselves as Democrats: Maryland and Kentucky .

The Party Thats Actually Best For The Economy

Many analyses look at which party is best for the economy. A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that Democratic presidents since World War II have performed much better than Republicans. On average, Democratic presidents grew the economy 4.4% each year versus 2.5% for Republicans.

A study by Princeton University economists Alan Blinder and Mark Watson found that the economy performs better when the president is a Democrat. They report that “by many measures, the performance gap is startlingly large.” Between Truman and Obama, growth was 1.8% higher under Democrats than Republicans.

A Hudson Institute study found that the six years with the best growth were evenly split between Republican and Democrat presidents.

Most of these evaluations measure growth during the president’s term in office. But no president has control over the growth added during his first year. The budget for that fiscal year was already set by the previous president, so you should compare the gross domestic product at the end of the president’s last budget to the end of his predecessor’s last budget.

For Obama, that would be the fiscal year from October 1, 2009, to September 30, 2018. That’s FY 2010 through FY 2017. During that time, GDP increased from $15.6 trillion to $17.7 trillion, or by 14%. That’s 1.7% a year.

The chart below ranks the presidents since 1929 on the average annual increase in GDP.

President

1.4%

A president would have better growth if he had no recession.

Contrast With Color Usage In Other Countries

The recent association of colors in American politics lies contrary to the long-standing conventions of political color in most other countries whereby red symbols ” rel=”nofollow”>red flag or red star) are associated with left-wing politics. Indeed, as late as the 1990s, Democrats were often represented by red and Republicans by blue. According to The Washington Post, journalist Tim Russert coined these terms during his televised coverage of the 2000 presidential election. The 2000 election was not the first during which the news media used colored maps to depict voter preferences in the various states, but it was the first time a standard color scheme took hold. In previous elections, the color assignments or even the actual colors used were often different.

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ptpgunmedia · 1 year

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Empower Yourself with HQL Training Classes in Southern Maryland with PTP Gun

Original Source: https://ptpgunmedia.blogspot.com/2023/08/empower-yourself-with-hql-training.html

In Southern Maryland, empowering yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary for responsible firearm ownership begins with obtaining a Handgun Qualification License (HQL). The HQL demonstrates your commitment to safety and proficiency, allowing you to legally purchase and possess a handgun. PTP Gun, a trusted brand in firearms training, offers comprehensive HQL training classes designed to equip individuals in Southern Maryland with the knowledge and skills required for responsible gun ownership. In this article, we will explore the benefits of HQL training classes and how PTP Gun can help you empower yourself in Southern Maryland.

1. Comprehensive Knowledge of Firearm Safety:

HQL training classes provide comprehensive instruction on firearm safety principles. Understanding and implementing proper firearm safety practices are essential for responsible gun ownership. PTP Gun's training classes cover topics such as safe handling, storage, transportation, and the prevention of accidental discharges. By gaining a thorough understanding of firearm safety, you can ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.

2. Understanding Maryland Firearm Laws:

Maryland has specific laws and regulations governing firearms, including the purchase, possession, and use of handguns. HQL training classes educate individuals in Southern Maryland on these laws, ensuring compliance and minimizing legal risks. By familiarizing yourself with Maryland firearm laws, you can make informed decisions and exercise your rights responsibly. PTP Gun's training classes provide expert guidance on navigating the legal landscape of firearm ownership in Southern Maryland.

3. Proficiency in Handgun Handling and Shooting:

HQL training classes focus on developing proficiency in handgun handling and shooting. Whether you are a novice or an experienced shooter, these classes provide valuable opportunities to refine your skills under the guidance of knowledgeable instructors. You will learn proper grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control, and shooting techniques to enhance your accuracy and proficiency. PTP Gun's range facilities offer a safe and controlled environment for practical training.

4. Situational Awareness and Self-Defense Skills:

HQL training classes also emphasize situational awareness and self-defense skills. Understanding how to assess potential threats, avoid dangerous situations, and respond appropriately is crucial for personal safety. PTP Gun's training programs teach individuals in Southern Maryland how to identify potential risks, make informed decisions, and effectively respond in self-defense scenarios. This empowers you to protect yourself and your loved ones should the need arise.

5. Confidence and Mental Preparedness:

Participating in HQL training builds confidence and mental preparedness in handling firearms. By gaining knowledge, honing skills, and practicing proper techniques, you will develop confidence in your ability to handle handguns safely and effectively. This confidence translates into a sense of empowerment and peace of mind, allowing you to approach firearm ownership with confidence and responsibility.

6. Access to Experienced Instructors:

PTP Gun's HQL training classes in Southern Maryland are led by experienced instructors who are knowledgeable in firearm safety, Maryland laws, and shooting techniques. These instructors provide personalized guidance, answer questions, and offer practical insights to help you excel in your training. Their expertise ensures that you receive the highest quality instruction and develop the necessary skills to become a responsible firearm owner.

7. Networking and Community Support:

HQL training classes offer opportunities for networking and building connections with like-minded individuals in Southern Maryland. By engaging with fellow participants, you can share experiences, exchange knowledge, and foster a supportive community centered around responsible firearm ownership. This network can provide ongoing support and resources as you continue your journey in firearms training.

Conclusion:

Empower yourself in Southern Maryland with HQL training classes offered by PTP Gun. By participating in these classes, you gain comprehensive knowledge of firearm safety, a clear understanding of Maryland firearm laws, proficiency in handgun handling and shooting, situational awareness, self-defense skills, confidence, and access to experienced instructors. PTP Gun's commitment to responsible gun ownership ensures that individuals in Southern Maryland receive the highest quality training and support. Embrace the opportunity to empower yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary for responsible firearm ownership. By enrolling in PTP Gun's HQL training classes, you take an important step towards becoming a responsible and informed firearm owner in Southern Maryland.

#HQL Training Classes Southern Maryland #HQL Training Course Annapolis MD

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brookstonalmanac · 2 years

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Events 1.23

393 – Roman emperor Theodosius I proclaims his eight-year-old son Honorius co-emperor. 971 – Using crossbows, Song dynasty troops soundly defeat a war elephant corps of the Southern Han at Shao. 1264 – In the conflict between King Henry III of England and his rebellious barons led by Simon de Montfort, King Louis IX of France issues the Mise of Amiens, a one-sided decision in favour of Henry that later leads to the Second Barons' War. 1368 – In a coronation ceremony, Zhu Yuanzhang ascends the throne of China as the Hongwu Emperor, initiating Ming dynasty rule over China that would last for three centuries. 1546 – Having published nothing for eleven years, François Rabelais publishes the Tiers Livre, his sequel to Gargantua and Pantagruel. 1556 – The deadliest earthquake in history, the Shaanxi earthquake, hits Shaanxi province, China. The death toll may have been as high as 830,000. 1570 – James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, regent for the infant King James VI of Scotland, is assassinated by firearm, the first recorded instance of such. 1571 – The Royal Exchange opens in London. 1579 – The Union of Utrecht forms a Protestant republic in the Netherlands. 1656 – Blaise Pascal publishes the first of his Lettres provinciales. 1719 – The Principality of Liechtenstein is created within the Holy Roman Empire. 1789 – Georgetown College, the first Catholic university in the United States, is founded in Georgetown, Maryland (now a part of Washington, D.C.) when Bishop John Carroll, Rev. Robert Molyneux, and Rev. John Ashton purchase land for the proposed academy for the education of youth. 1793 – Second Partition of Poland. 1795 – After an extraordinary charge across the frozen Zuiderzee, the French cavalry captured 14 Dutch ships and 850 guns, in a rare occurrence of a battle between ships and cavalry. 1846 – Slavery in Tunisia is abolished. 1849 – Elizabeth Blackwell is awarded her M.D. by the Geneva Medical College of Geneva, New York, becoming the United States' first female doctor. 1870 – In Montana, U.S. cavalrymen kill 173 Native Americans, mostly women and children, in what becomes known as the Marias Massacre. 1879 – Anglo-Zulu War: The Battle of Rorke's Drift ends. 1899 – The Malolos Constitution is inaugurated, establishing the First Philippine Republic. Emilio Aguinaldo is sworn in as its first president. 1900 – Second Boer War: The Battle of Spion Kop between the forces of the South African Republic and the Orange Free State and British forces ends in a British defeat. 1904 – Ålesund Fire: The Norwegian coastal town Ålesund is devastated by fire, leaving 10,000 people homeless and one person dead. Kaiser Wilhelm II funds the rebuilding of the town in Jugendstil style. 1909 – RMS Republic, a passenger ship of the White Star Line, becomes the first ship to use the CQD distress signal after colliding with another ship, the SS Florida, off the Massachusetts coastline, an event that kills six people. The Republic sinks the next day. 1912 – The International Opium Convention is signed at The Hague. 1919 – The First Regional Congress of Peasants, Workers and Insurgents is held by the Makhnovshchina at Velykomykhailivka. 1920 – The Netherlands refuses to surrender the exiled Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany to the Allies. 1937 – The trial of the anti-Soviet Trotskyist center sees seventeen mid-level Communists accused of sympathizing with Leon Trotsky and plotting to overthrow Joseph Stalin's regime. 1941 – Charles Lindbergh testifies before the U.S. Congress and recommends that the United States negotiate a neutrality pact with Adolf Hitler. 1942 – World War II: The Battle of Rabaul commences Japan's invasion of Australia's Territory of New Guinea. 1943 – World War II: Troops of the British Eighth Army capture Tripoli in Libya from the German–Italian Panzer Army. 1945 – World War II: German admiral Karl Dönitz launches Operation Hannibal. 1950 – The Knesset resolves that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. 1957 – American inventor Walter Frederick Morrison sells the rights to his flying disc to the Wham-O toy company, which later renames it the "Frisbee". 1958 – After a general uprising and rioting in the streets, President Marcos Pérez Jiménez leaves Venezuela. 1960 – The bathyscaphe USS Trieste breaks a depth record by descending to 10,911 metres (35,797 ft) in the Pacific Ocean. 1961 – The Portuguese luxury cruise ship Santa Maria is hijacked by opponents of the Estado Novo regime with the intention of waging war until dictator António de Oliveira Salazar is overthrown. 1963 – The Guinea-Bissau War of Independence officially begins when PAIGC guerrilla fighters attack the Portuguese Army stationed in Tite. 1964 – The 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution, prohibiting the use of poll taxes in national elections, is ratified. 1967 – Diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and Ivory Coast are established. 1967 – Milton Keynes (England) is founded as a new town by Order in Council, with a planning brief to become a city of 250,000 people. Its initial designated area enclosed three existing towns and twenty-one villages. The area to be developed was largely farmland, with evidence of continuous settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. 1968 – USS Pueblo (AGER-2) is attacked and seized by the Korean People's Navy. 1985 – World Airways Flight 30H overshoots the runway at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, and crashes into Boston Harbor. Two people are presumed dead. 1986 – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts its first members: Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley. 1987 – Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan sends a "letter of death" to Somali President Siad Barre, proposing the genocide of the Isaaq people. 1997 – Madeleine Albright becomes the first woman to serve as United States Secretary of State. 1998 – Netscape announces Mozilla, with the intention to release Communicator code as open source. 2001 – Five people attempt to set themselves on fire in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, an act that many people later claim is staged by the Chinese Communist Party to frame Falun Gong and thus escalate their persecution. 2002 – U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl is kidnapped in Karachi, Pakistan and subsequently murdered. 2003 – A very weak signal from Pioneer 10 is detected for the last time, but no usable data can be extracted. 2018 – A 7.9 Mw  earthquake occurs in the Gulf of Alaska. It is tied as the sixth-largest earthquake ever recorded in the United States, but there are no reports of significant damage or fatalities. 2018 – A double car bombing in Benghazi, Libya, kills at least 33 people and wounds "dozens" of others. The victims include both military personnel and civilians, according to local officials. 2018 – The China–United States trade war begins when President Donald Trump places tariffs on Chinese solar panels and washing machines. 2022 – Mutinying Burkinabè soldiers led by Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba depose and detain President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré amid widespread anti-government protests.

#Events

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didanawisgi · 6 years

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For all the coverage and discussion sparked by the Parkland shooting, the two sides of the debate have retreated to their respective corners.

Parkland happened. Again, America watched in horror as children fled from a murderous school rampage. Immediately, the usual fingers were pointed at the usual suspects. The media coverage was wall-to-wall. But what followed was different from the aftermath of other school shootings. A national town hall was scheduled, a day of protest drew hundreds of thousands around the country, and calls for gun control filled the airwaves. Kids took the lead, at least in the eyes of the general public. A movement seemed poised to effect change.

More than two months down the road, one wonders if that change has really materialized. It seems more likely to me that, despite relentless media coverage of Parkland’s student activists, the respective sides have simply dug in again. What follows is a distillation of conversations I’ve had with gun-control advocates of various stripes over the past month. See if it sounds familiar.

Gun-control advocate: The time has arrived. America is ready for change. School shootings have finally become intolerable. Even Fox News devoted serious coverage to our Washington rally.

Me: The testimony of the Parkland students and families was heart-wrenching. Every parent – every human being — can only attempt to imagine their pain.

Advocate: Empathy is one thing, but Parkland was a tipping point. The message is, “No more mass shootings, whatever it takes.”

Me: I agree with the “no more.” But guns weren’t the sole cause of this shooting. The FBI and local police were grossly negligent — multiple warnings over many years were missed or ignored, and the armed officer on the scene chose not to enter the school and engage the shooter.

Advocate: Police inaction and incompetence are legitimate concerns, but far less important than controlling weapons of war.

Me: Not so fast. Did you catch what went down at Great Mills High School in southern Maryland 34 days after Parkland? There, a bad guy with a gun was confronted by a good guy with a gun. The shooter killed himself after being shot by a school resource officer. No obsessive cable-news coverage followed. No rallies were scheduled. It was a one-day story. The facts did not fit the chosen media narrative.

Advocate: A classic right-wing response. It seems there are never enough guns to please your side. But this time, even red-state America is paying attention. Public opinion is turning. The NRA is on the wrong side of history.

Me: Most gun owners have no problem with reasonable restrictions on bump stocks and other commonsense measures to keep guns out of the hands of felons, the mentally ill, and otherwise irresponsible individuals. For example, Senator Rubio has introduced a bill that would require the FBI to notify local law enforcement whenever a “prohibited” person is rejected from an attempted gun purchase. That seems sensible.

Advocate: We are not interested in “small ball” changes. The problem is guns. There are too many of them, and there’s too little regulation. It’s time to act.

Me: But so many well-intentioned gun-control measures inevitably penalize the law-abiding. Recall that criminals are forbidden from possessing firearms in the first place. Any law that requires a felon to register a firearm or submit to a background check or other legal process is unenforceable; the government cannot require prohibited persons to incriminate themselves.

Advocate: That is a good debate point but ignores the gun culture that defines us. America is no longer a rural society — the Wild West has come and gone. Most countries (and cultures) do not glorify gun ownership. Some have successfully confiscated private weapons, including assault weapons. These societies suffer far fewer gun-related accidents and deaths.

Me: What is an assault weapon?

Advocate: It’s . . . a semi-automatic dressed up with combat accoutrements.

Me: At the end of the day, a semi-automatic is a semi-automatic — and there are tens of millions of them in this country. If you want to ban all of them, just say so.

Advocate: I’m saying so.

Me: What about Justice Stevens’s recent call to repeal the Second Amendment?

Advocate: He shouldn’t have written that. We know your side will run with it as “proof” of our agenda, and the NRA will raise money from it.

Me: Still, isn’t it fair to say many progressives would at the very least support national gun registration?

Advocate: What can I say? We wish America looked more like Sweden.

Me: America is not Sweden. You cannot redo culture (try as you might). Gun ownership has always been a central tenet of our culture, symbolic of freedom from government.

Advocate: As I said, the Wild West is history. Dodge City is a suburb. The threat of homeland invasion is non-existent. Yet our urban areas are suffering from a gun epidemic!

Me: No, our urban areas are suffering from a crime epidemic!

Advocate: You just don’t get it. More guns equal more death!

Me: No, you don’t get it. More guns equal less crime.

Advocate: Whatever. 2018 will be a turning point. Democrats will run on an unabashedly anti-gun platform. The merchants of death will be demonized at every opportunity. Our base is enthused. We will win.

Me: Good luck with that. Proposals like a national gun registry are non-starters with the vast majority of Americans.

Advocate: I would feel so much better if the government knew the whereabouts of every firearm in this country.

Me: This is going to be a long year . . .

#gun control #controversy #debate

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therebelwrites · 6 years

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A Coast Guard lieutenant arrested earlier this week on drug and gun charges was planning to commit domestic terrorism, according to a court filing from the U.S. District Court in Maryland.

In a motion filed Tuesday, U.S. attorneys said Christopher Hasson, a lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard who has served at the service’s headquarters in Washington since 2016, had a hit list of targets, a cache of guns and a series of communications with white supremacists. The first sentence in the motion imploring the court to detain Hasson pending trial: “The defendant intends to murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country.”

Per the motion, he was arrested Feb. 15 on charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition by an unlawful user or addict of controlled substances, as well as “simple possession” of an opioid. But, prosecutors write, these charges “are the proverbial tip of the iceberg.”

“The defendant is a domestic terrorist, bent on committing acts dangerous to human life that are intended to affect governmental conduct.”

Per the court document, Hasson has been serving as an acquisitions officer at the Coast Guard’s D.C. headquarters since June of 2016. Though he has not received any tactical, weapons or explosives-related training in this position, the prosecutors note that Hasson served in the Marine Corps from 1988 to 1993, followed by approximately two years of active duty with the Army National Guard. When authorities raided his residence earlier this month, they found 15 firearms and over 1,000 rounds of mixed ammunition, the document says. His detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Greenbelt, Md. According to a separate court filing signed Feb. 15, Hasson will be represented by a public defender.

The filing was first reported by Seamus Hughes, the deputy director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University.

Prosecutors stated that since 2017 Hasson has “routinely perused” the manifesto of Anders Behring Breivik, a far-right Norwegian terrorist who killed 77 people in two attacks in 2011. Hasson followed the instructions of the document, which tell “a prospective assailant to amass appropriate firearms, food, disguises, and survival supplies.”

On Jan. 17, Hasson allegedly compiled a list of targets including a number of Democratic politicians and left-leaning political commentators. The names on the list include “Sen blumen jew” (presumably Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.,) and “poca warren” (presumably Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.).

There are also references to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a long list of additional Democratic senators, including Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and Tim Kaine, D-Va. The list also includes likely references to a number of House members (Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.), television hosts (Joe Scarborough and Chris Hayes of MSNBC, Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo of CNN), former Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas and the Democratic Socialists of America.

On the same day he finished the list, the court filing says, Hasson completed the following Google searches over the course of three hours: “what if trump illegally impeached,” “best place in dc to see congress people,” “where in dc to congress live,” “civil war if trump impeached” and “social democrats usa.”

Hasson’s alleged online searches for pro-Russian, neo-fascist and neo-Nazi literature, along with draft emails recovered from his email offer insight into what prosecutors describe as extremist views.

“I am dreaming of a way to kill almost every last person on the earth,” Hasson allegedly wrote in a draft email to “acquaintances” last June; in the email, he appears to outline a stream of possible ways — ranging from biological attacks to “bombing/sniper campaign” — to violently fight back against “Liberalist/Globalist ideology is destroying traditional peoples esp white.”

“It seems inevitable that we are doomed,” the email continues, with Hasson soliciting ideas for how he might “enlist the help of another power/country,” such as Russia “or any land that despises the west’s liberalism. Excluding of course the muslim scum,” conceding, “I don’t think I can cause complete destruction on my own.”

Among the list of things he seems to be instructing himself to do once he “comes off of TDL [tramadol],” the opioid he was charged with possession of, is taking a “serious look at appropriate individual targets, to bring greatest impact. Professors, DR’s, Politian’s, Judges, leftists in general.”

In another alleged draft email sent to himself in September 2017, Hasson apparently wrote to a well-known American neo-Nazi leader, identifying himself as “a long time White Nationalist, having been a skinhead 30 plus years ago before my time in the military.”

In addition to evidence of regular tramadol use, prosecutors also note that Hasson appeared to be stockpiling human growth hormone in accordance with part of the Breivik manifesto that recommends the use of narcotics to increase killing ability. Agents said they discovered a locked case filled with more than 30 bottles labeled “HGH” when they searched Hasson’s home.

Charges related to domestic terrorism in the United States have risen in recent years and, according to a report from the Southern Poverty Law Center released earlier Wednesday, the number of hate groups operating in the country has reached an all-time high. Last fall, a Florida man was arrested for mailing 16 pipe bombs to critics of President Trump and prominent Democratic figures, and a gunman killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue that had supported refugees.

#Domestic terrorism #white men invented terrorism #U.S. foiled terrorist attacks #Christopher Hassan #This story was published only TWO DAYS ago--yet now NO MAINSTREAM MEDIA OUTLETS ARE FOLLOWING UP ON IT?!?#They tryna distract yall with minute by minute updates about R Kelly and Jussie and even the NFL owner prostitution ring #Yet NOTHING about an attack planned to murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country--as they stated #white pathology 101 #Then you got other media outlets reporting about a serial killer--white male--who has taken to DRAWING PICTURES of his over 50 victims #while sitting in jail #Admitting himself the the murders of all the women he killed would never have been solved without his own confession due to the fact that #All the murders seemed unrelated #these people are SICK #Notice they removed the picture of him from the main image #Tryna hide what we already know:HE IS WHITE!

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patriotsnet · 3 years

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How Many Republicans Are In The United States

New Post has been published on https://www.patriotsnet.com/how-many-republicans-are-in-the-united-states/

How Many Republicans Are In The United States

Polling Data Shows Republican Party Affiliation Is Down As Independents Leaning Toward The Democratic Party Surge

Democrats have a nine-percentage-point affiliation advantage over Republicans at the moment.

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The GOP is losing its grip, according to the latest Gallup poll.

And several events have happened during those three months that could position the Democratic Party more favorably in voters’ eyes, the Gallup report noted.

Opinion:

A Different America: How Republicans Hold Near Total Control In 23 Us States

In those states, Republicans hold the governorship and the legislature, giving them the power to take aim at abortion access, trans rights, voting and gun safety

Last modified on Tue 15 Jun 2021 14.38 BST

But the victory seemed short-lived, as the state’s Republican governor, Greg Abbott, quickly announced he planned to call a special session to get the legislation passed.

For The First Time There Are Fewer Registered Republicans Than Independents

For the first time in history, there are more registered independents in the United States than there are registered Republicans.

It may not be for the reason you think, though.

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There are still way more registered Democrats; 39.66 percent of voters are registered with that party.

Here’s the data going back to 2004:

But before anybody chalks this up as having to do with the current occupant of the White House, it’s worth parsing the trends.

Republican Lawmakers Push To Cast Vaccine Refusal As A Civil Rights Issue

Bills in several statehouses seek to block employers from demanding Covid-19 immunization, even though few do

Last modified on Fri 16 Jul 2021 19.48 BST

Marjorie Taylor Greene: Us House Votes To Strip Republican Of Key Posts