Month: March 2019

I have a feeling Syria is going to dominate our discussions for the next several weeks, perhaps even months, as the government tries to decide what to do. Personally, I think Congress will vote to allow missile strikes. What that will lead to is anybody’s guess, either an escalation that will involve ground troops, or, hopefully, nothing at all. But as we approach another 9/11 anniversary, I am concerned with what I read about who is funding and/or supporting the rebels.

When conservative pundits started throwing around statements that al-Qeada was behind the rebel groups, I, at first, shook it off as more right-wing paranoia. When they kept saying it, I decided it was time for a little research, because it is a troubling thought to think that we may be supporting the enemy.

Here is a Business Week article which mentions the terrorist connection in the first couple of paragraphs.

Here is a report from Breitbart.Com that mentions the same thing.

The proof is out there. We indeed may be assisting al-Qeada by bombing Syria. Why is this not being talked about more? Am I not watching the right news outlets, or is the media, in its unwavering support for Obama, ignoring these apparent facts?

We won’t get any help from elected Republicans, apparently.

That blithering, good-for-nothing, geriatric gasbag John McCain, who served in Vietnam, is too busy playing video poker during the Syria hearings to bother mentioning the connection, yet he says we need to support military action. John Boner–I mean, Boehner–is for a bombing. Surprisingly, he didn’t burst into tears while saying so.

So we can’t count on Republicans to ask the questions; we can’t count on the media, either; what are we to do?

Proponents say we need to smack down Assad because he’s done something terrible; personally, I think we need to assist him in this fight. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? If al-Qeada is trying to establish a home base in Syria, with its own government, we need to stop that. They failed to establish a base in Egypt, from all accounts; we kicked them out of Iraq and Afghanistan (though Iraq is still to-be-decided), why not do whatever we can to keep them on the run? We’re blowing up their leaders every chance we get; why change the strategy now?

Proponents add that if Assad uses chemical weapons in his own country, he may fire them at Israel. True enough, but, at this moment, that is mere supposition. Iran may fire nukes into Israel, too, but nobody seems upset about that idea.

Assisting Middle East leaders against a common enemy is nothing new. We helped Saddam Hussein fight Iran when it was in our interest, and later used the intelligence gained in that assistance to wipe him off the face of the earth when the time came. We aided the Afghans against the Soviets, and later bombed the daylights out of them when they let bin Laden and his gang stay rent-free.

Assad is no hero. He certainly deserves a smack, but it has to be done right. If this situation weren’t so cloudy, I’d probably be writing a different column and supporting John Boner–I mean, Boehner, darn it–and John McCain in their support of Obama, God help me.

Whatever happens, it won’t be pretty. If Congress blocks the play, Obama will shoot off some missiles, anyway. Because he has to. He’s already gone struttin’, drawing his red line, even though he claims there isn’t a red line. We can’t win here.

 

BRIAN DRAKE is a broadcaster in California and the author of The Rogue Gentleman, a thriller in the tradition of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor. Follow him on Twitter.

Hey retailers, if you’re going to make a Black Friday ad, you might as well make it interesting and that is exactly what Walmart did with its “Light Up Black Friday” spot featuring the performance artists in Light Balance. The ad, as of publication of this post, has made it into the top 10 most watched Youtube videos.

Consumer confidence increased to an 18-year high in October, following an increase in September. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index now stands at 137.9 (1985=100), up from 135.3 a month ago. The Present Situation Index – based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions – improved from 169.4 to 172.8. The Expectations Index – based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions – increased from 112.5 last month to 114.6 this month.

“Consumer Confidence increased in October, following a modest gain in September, and remains at levels last seen in the fall of 2000 (September 2000, 142.5),” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “Consumers’ assessment of present-day conditions remains quite positive, primarily due to strong employment growth. The Expectations Index posted another gain in October, suggesting that consumers do not foresee the economy losing steam anytime soon. Rather, they expect the strong pace of growth to carry over into early 2019.”

President Trump’s pro-business policies led to record low unemployment and his tax reforms have increased take-home pay for working families. The record high consumer confidence number shows that, despite what the media says, most people are feeling good about the economy and reaping the benefits of Trump’s agenda.

Consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved in October. The percentage of consumers saying business conditions are “good” increased from 39.9 percent to 40.5 percent, while those claiming business conditions are “bad” decreased from 9.6 percent to 9.2 percent. Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was also more favorable. Those claiming jobs are “plentiful” increased from 44.1 percent to 45.9 percent, while those claiming jobs are “hard to get” decreased from 14.1 percent to 13.2 percent.

Consumers’ optimism about the short-term future increased further in October. The percentage of consumers expecting business conditions will improve over the next six months increased from 25.8 percent to 26.3 percent, while those expecting business conditions will worsen declined, from 8.3 percent to 7.4 percent.

The more positive outlook comes at a critical time for retailers as the lucrative holiday shopping season is just beginning. If economic optimism translates into spending, the U.S. could see amazing GDP growth for the fourth quarter.

The special counsel’s office released a scathing memo Saturday in the case against Paul Manafort in what is likely the last court filing in the case against the former Trump campaign chairman.

But the filing, which clocks in at more than 800 pages, including exhibits, appeared to contain no new or bombshell information regarding the core focus of the special counsel’s investigation: whether the Trump campaign conspired with the Russian government to influence the 2016 election.

Observers of the special counsel’s probe had hoped the prosecutors would lay out new evidence about Manafort’s work during the campaign, including his interactions with Konstantin Kilimnik, a former Manafort business associate who has links to Russian intelligence, or other Trump campaign officials.

But the filing generally reviewed information that has already been disclosed in the case. In a 25-page memo, prosecutors portrayed Manafort as a “bold” criminal, who broke the law “while under a spotlight due to his work as the campaign chairman and, later, while he was on bail from this Court.”

Manafort, 69, pleaded guilty in the special counsel’s investigation on Sept. 14, 2018 on charges related to political consulting he did in Ukraine. He was convicted in a separate tax case in Virginia on Aug. 21, 2018. Prosecutors handling that case recommended a sentence of between 19 years and 24.5 years in prison for Manafort, who faces sentencing on March 6.

The special counsel’s office did not make a recommendation of its own for a prison sentence for Manafort. The charges in his case carry a legal maximum of a 10-year prison sentence.

The special counsel’s office accused Manafort of lying to prosecutors and the FBI even after he entered his plea agreement. They’ve claimed that the longtime GOP political operative lied about his contacts and discussions with Kilimnik regarding work in Ukraine.

Manafort, Kilimnik and Rick Gates, a former Trump campaign official and Manafort business partner, worked on behalf of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych through 2014.

“His deceit, which is a fundamental component of the crimes of conviction and relevant conduct, extend to tax preparers, bookkeepers, banks, the Treasury Department, the Department of Justice National Security Division, the FBI, the Special Counsel’s Office, the grand jury, his own legal counsel, Members of Congress, and members of the executive branch of the United States government,” prosecutors said of Manafort.

Pastor James McConnell is a Belfast, Ireland pastor who came under fire and police scrutiny earlier this year for daring to characterize Islam as heathen and Satanic.

Speaking to his congregation in north Belfast, Mr McConnell said “a new evil had arisen” and “there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain”.

“Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell.”

He said he agreed with the late MP Enoch Powell, whose 1968 “Rivers of Blood” speech criticized immigration.

“Enoch Powell was a prophet, he called it that blood would flow on the streets and it has happened.”

Preaching the gospel should not result in government persecution. But that it was what happened here. After this sermon, the pastor was subjected to a two-hour police interrogation and was forced to apologize for his remarks to avoid prosecution. The fact is that it is not, and should not be, a ‘hate crime’ to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to point out the Truth even when it is not convenient or politically correct. Europe used to the bastion and protector of Christianity and now it follows the new, intolerant faith of multiculturalism, diversity, and progressivism and dares to even interfere with what is being preached from the pulpit.

What does such an incident teach us about the state of freedom of religion in the West and how far Western Civilization has fallen and strayed from the path of righteousness? We are on dangerous ground indeed when a Western government thinks it can tell a preacher what he can or cannot preach or a church what it can or cannot teach.

I am the son, grandson, and great-grandson of ministers of the gospel and so this hits home especially hard. A Christian should not be subject to a police investigation for proclaiming the teachings of the Bible in the sacred space of a church. Christians are commanded to go unto all the earth and preach the “good news” whether or not the government approves. Eleven of the twelve disciples were in fact martyred for defying the various government entities of the day for preaching Biblical truths. As Christians, we follow man’s law only as long as it does not violate what we are commanded to do and say as Christians. Once a government oversteps its bounds in that regard then we are to follow the Higher law, not man’s law. Many thanks to Pastor McConnell for daring to speak of what is contained in Scripture in spite of his government’s restrictions on speech and religious beliefs.

Either Pastor McConnell is proclaiming the truth or he is not. You be the judge.

 

All I have to say is “Amen, and preach it brother.”

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. (1 Timothy 4:1 )

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi expressed opposition to filing articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Monday claiming that he is not worth the effort, despite being unfit to hold the office.

“I’m not for impeachment. This is news. I’m going to give you some news right now because I haven’t said this to any press person before,” Pelosi said while being interviewed by The Washington Post. “But since you asked, and I’ve been thinking about this: Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there’s something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country.”

“And he’s just not worth it,” she continued.

Pelosi, who has been a frequent and vocal critic of the president, argued that Trump is not fit to hold the highest office in the land in any capacity.

“No. No. I don’t think he is [fit]. I mean ethically unfit. Intellectually unfit. Curiosity-wise unfit,” she said. “No, I don’t think he’s fit to be president of the United States.”

“That’s up to us to make the contrast to show that this president, while he may be appealing to you on your insecurity and therefore your xenophobia, whether it’s globalization or immigrants, is fighting clean air for your children to breathe, clean water for them to drink, food safety, every good thing that we should be doing that people can’t do for themselves,” Pelosi continued before noting that it is government’s responsibility to control certain aspects of Americans’ health and well-being.

The California congresswoman argued that the current political climate is the most divisive in the country’s history, which is not only due to Trump himself, but can also be attributed to the Republicans in Congress who enable him.

“This is coming across too negatively. I don’t usually talk about him this much,” Pelosi added. “This is the most I’ve probably talked about him. I hardly ever talk about him. You know, it’s not about him. It’s about what we can do for the people to lower health-care costs, bigger paychecks, cleaner government.”

The latest trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi titled “Awake”, released during Wednesday night’s World Series game 7, reveals previously unseen scenes and details that will give you goosebumps.

Opening with Luke aboard the Millenium Falcon, the trailer emphasizes the battle between the dark and light sides of the force as well as the internal struggles for Luke, Rey, and Kylo Ren.

We see Rey holding first a blue (Jedi) and then red (Sith) lightsaber with voiceover by Kylo Ren saying “Let go of the past. It’s the only way to become what you are meant to be.” Whether he is talking to himself or pulling at Ren is unknown but it appears that the next generational fight between good and evil is on the horizon.

When Rey says that she wants someone to show her place in all this, who she is talking to is a mystery. Is she consulting Luke or Ren?

Before I leave you to watch the trailer for yourself, get ready for one cute surprise – yeah, it’s a porg, a seabird native to the planet of Luke’s current exile – and it roars.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be in theaters Dec. 15.

Click:quo wordle

Unelected EU President Donald Tusk says there is a special place in hell for Brexiteers.

The unelected European Union Council President Donald Tusk declared in a Tweet that “I’ve been wondering what that special place in hell looks like, for those who promoted #Brexit, without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely.”  The EU and Europhiles say that Brexit supporters don’t have any plan on what to do regarding leaving the European Union but ignores any Brexit supporter when they say what the plan is.

Brexit supporting MPs have slammed the unelected EU President for his comments as they feel vindicated when they say that the European Union elites are elitist, out of touch and arrogant.

Leading Brexiteer Conservative MP for Northeast Somerset Jacob Rees Mogg slammed Tusk’s comments saying “Mr Tusk is hardly in the Aquinas class as a theologian and he seems to have forgotten the commandment about not bearing false witness.”

Former UKIP leader and Brexit architect “After Brexit, we will be free of unelected, arrogant bullies like you and run our own country. Sounds more like heaven to me.”

House Leader Andrea Leadsom MP for South Northamptonshire slammed Donald Tusk’s calling for him to apologize for his “disgraceful” and “spiteful” comments

“I’m sure that when he reflects on it he may well wish he hadn’t done it,” Leadsom told BBC Radio 4’s World.

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis, when asked on ITV Peston’s programme how he felt “when President Tusk practically reserved your place in hell?”, said: “Perhaps he’ll join us there.

“When people throw insults around it says more about them than the people they’re insulting.”

An even more aggressive response came from Sammy Wilson spokesman of the DUP the government who keeps Theresa May’s minority government afloat. Wilson in a blistering response said,

“This devilish Euro maniac is doing his best to keep the United Kingdom bound by the chains of EU bureaucracy and control. It is Tusk and his arrogant EU negotiators who have fanned the flames of fear in an attempt to try and overturn the result of the referendum.”

Some Pro European Union leaders and politicians feeling like Tusk’s comments have hurt the cause of the EU, have warned him of the consequences or outright slammed Tusk.

Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar warned the sneering unelected EU President he would be in “terrible trouble” over the comments in which he made about Brexiteers he claims without evidence don’t have a solution.

Former Greek Finance Minister and left-wing economist Yanis Varoufakis who is Pro EU but warns there must changes if it is to survive replied to the comments from the unelected EU President saying: “Probably very similar to the place reserved for those who designed a monetary union without a proper banking union and, once the banking crisis hit, transferred cynically the bankers’ gigantic losses onto the shoulders of the weakest taxpayers.”

The concerns among pragmatist Europhile politicians is the comments will further strengthen Eurosceptics across much of Europe which has turned evermore Eurosceptic, especially as the citizens of many EU countries are already very divided on membership.

Personal attacks against the side one negotiates with has never shown to be helpful for trying to find a deal, and Tusk’s comments are widely regarded as making the chances of a No Deal Brexit much higher.

Summer is one of the most popular times of year for people in the United States to take a trip that involves international travel. If you are planning a trip which involves driving across a border, sailing to a coastline, or flying halfway around the world, the American Red Cross has some steps you can take to stay safe.

1. Download the first aid app. The American Red Cross first aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. Whether you’re in the United States or abroad, arming yourself with basic first aid skills can save a life. Be sure to download the app while you’re still in the United States, otherwise you’ll download the local Red Cross or Red Crescent’s mobile app (which will be in the local language).
2. Make a plan. Just like at home, it’s important to establish a time and place to meet family members in case you get separated.
3. Know what natural disasters are possible. There’s no reason to panic, but it’s important to research whether your destination faces emergencies you’ve never experienced. While you’ll need to gauge the local context, the Red Cross offers basic tips about what to do during natural disasters like tsunamis, volcanoes, and hurricanes.
4. Register your trip with the State Department. Enter your travel details with the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program online, which allows the State Department to better assist you in case of an emergency while you are abroad. You can also get information about safety conditions in the country you are planning to visit.
5. Write down contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to carry with you in case of emergency while traveling.
6. Check out the State Department’s ‘What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis‘ and have an evacuation plan that doesn’t rely on the U.S. government.
7. Keep your destination country’s emergency numbers handy. You know to use 911 in the United States, but how will you reach the fire department, police, or an ambulance abroad? Find your destination country on this reference sheet from the State Department—and write down the emergency numbers before you take off.
8. Know the six-month passport rule. Some countries deny travelers entry if their passport expires in less than six months. Renew your passport about nine months before the expiration date.
9. Let your credit card company know what countries you will be visiting and when. This way, they won’t think your card is stolen and shut it off just when you need it the most.
10. Pack your International Certificate of Vaccination. Also referred to as the “yellow card,” it lists your immunizations, allergies, and blood type. The “yellow card” is available from your physician or local health department.
11. Bring medications, bug repellent. If you’re traveling somewhere with mosquito-borne illnesses—such as malaria, dengue, or Zika—be sure to spray repellent and/or cover your arms and legs with lightweight clothing at critical times of the day. Don’t forget your medications and it’s a good idea to bring other stuff like OTC pain reliever and something for an upset stomach.
12. Check for emergency exits and evacuation routes. The American Red Cross has helped many communities around the world install signs that indicate evacuation routes in case flooding or another natural disaster occurs. Be sure to identify evacuation routes at your destination and, as always, pay attention to the location of emergency exits.

• FACT, an ethics watchdog group, has filed a complaint with the IRS against Fair Fight Action, a nonprofit organization lead by Stacey Abrams. 
• FACT claims Fair Fight is violating its tax-exempt status by promoting Abrams political career instead of solely focusing on its stated goal of promoting voting rights. 
• After losing her 2018 gubernatorial bid, Abrams has openly considered a 2020 run for Senate and the White House. 

An ethics watchdog group has filed a complaint with the IRS against Stacey Abrams’ nonprofit organization, Fair Fight Action, for allegedly violating federal law.

The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) — a government watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. — is claiming that Fair Fight is working to promote Abrams’ political career in lieu of promoting voting rights, which, if accurate, would be in violation of their 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status.

Originally founded in 2014 as Voter Access Institute, Abrams changed the name to Fair Fight Action in December 2018. Fair Fight’s stated goal is the promotion of voter rights, and it advocates for a number of different election reforms. However, under its 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status, it cannot provide “support for an individuals’s personal political activities.”

In its complaint to the IRS, FACT argues that Abrams has used Fair Fight to blatantly promote her own political ambitions.

Since Abrams lost her gubernatorial election, Fair Fight has helped pay for Abrams statewide speaking tour, paid for Facebook ads that attacked Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp and promoted herself, pay for a Super Bowl ad, hosted watch parties for supporters to “cheer” for Abrams as she gave the Democratic response to the State of the Union, and accepted donations from a “Stacey Abrams Fundraiser.”

These activities have gone on as Abrams has openly mulled a 2020 Senate candidacy and even a presidential bid. Former Vice President Joe Biden is reportedly considering Abrams as his running mate, should he run and win the Democratic presidential nomination. Any political run for office by Abrams, experts argue, would elevate concerns over Fair Fight’s activities.

“It is extremely concerning that Stacey Abrams appears to be abusing our nation’s tax laws for her personal political gain,” Kendra Arnold, the executive director of FACT, said in a statement on Tuesday. “The IRS has on numerous occasions ruled against groups trying to advance personal interests, and it is imperative the IRS investigate Fair Fight Action’s conduct.”

Abrams’ team hit back against the complaint.

“We know the playbook for Trump and his allies. They’re going to do whatever it takes to undermine our movement to ensure free and fair elections. We have to fight back now,” said Lauren Groh-Wargo — Abrams’ 2018 campaign manager who now runs Fair Fight — in an email to supporters. Groh-Wargo called the complaint “baseless” and said her group was not promoting Abrams.

FACT pushed back against the accusation that they are a partisan organization, pointing out that they have filed similar complaints with Republicans as well.

“Whoever we identify with questionable behavior, they fail to respond to the actual legitimacy of the complaint and just try to characterize us in one way or another,” Arnold said to the Daily Caller News Foundation. “We have filed complaints against every type of candidate and elected official. We do not consider party affiliation.”

This is not the first time a nonprofit led by Abrams has received negative headlines.

Third Sector Development, a nonprofit launched by Abrams that focuses on registering black voters, has been hit with seven different tax liens over the past few years for unpaid employment contributions. Georgia state regulators filed three tax liens against the group in the past year, and the Georgia Department of Labor had filed four tax liens between 2014 and 2016. Abrams has blamed the issues on clerical errors.