Jury Finds Democrat Guilty of Multiple Felonies

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On Thursday afternoon, a Democratic Texas state senator was found guilty on 11 felony charges, including “multiple counts of fraud and money laundering,” reports the Texas Tribune.

State Sen. Carlos Uresti was charged last year for his role in what authorities called a “Ponzi Scheme” involving a bankrupt oilfield services company called FourWinds Logistics. Uresti, the Texas Tribune says, “used his prestigious reputation to lend credibility to an unknown company; several investors testified that Uresti’s presence reassured them that their money would be safe with FourWinds.”

Uresti served as general counsel for FourWinds, owned 1% of the company, and earned a commission for every investor he brought into the scheme, authorities say. But when investors lost most of their money — for some, hundreds of thousands of dollars — they went to Texas law enforcement to investigate the company . . .

Uresti will now face jail time on the 11 charges, which include felony fraud and money laundering. He also became ineligible to continue to serve as a state legislator, and he will be disbarred. Texas Democrats have not yet called for Uresti to resign, but issued a “strong rebuke” following the verdict, saying that “no one is above the law.” (Read more from “Jury Finds Democrat Guilty of Multiple Felonies” HERE)

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Months Before Massacre, Cops Told of Cruz Threats With Weapon

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Just months before Nikolas Cruz killed 17 at his former high school in South Florida, the host family who had taken him in immediately after his mother’s death warned local law enforcement that the 19-year-old had “used a gun against people before” and “has put the gun to others’ heads in the past,” according to records obtained by CNN.

It’s the latest indication of how law enforcement encountered warning signs about Cruz’s violent behavior before he attacked students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day. . . .

On the day after Thanksgiving, Cruz was at work at a Dollar Tree store. Rocxanne Deschamps’ son, Rock, 22, called 911 to report that an “adopted 19-year-old son” had possibly hidden a “gun in the backyard,” according to a dispatcher’s notes. Rock Deschamps told law enforcement “there were no weapons allowed in the household,” the report said. It’s unclear from the record whether sheriff’s deputies conducted a search. The incident was classified as “domestic unfounded,” which means a deputy didn’t find proof to back up the claims.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office was called again to the home four days later, when Rock said Cruz lashed out against the family that took him in, according to the Palm Beach deputy’s report and dispatcher notes. The deputy went to a local park and found Cruz, who explained that he had misplaced a photo of his recently deceased mother and, emotionally distraught, began punching the wall. Cruz lost control the same way he had several times in the past at his mother’s home in Parkland, Florida, when he had not taken his prescribed mood-altering medication, as CNN has previously reported based on Broward police documents. (Read more from “Months Before Massacre, Cops Told of Cruz Threats With Weapon” HERE)

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Over 30 Percent of Applicants Want to Go to Law School Because of Trump

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We’ve known for a while that more people are taking the LSAT — we’re talking a double-digit increase. But exactly why has largely remained a source of speculation and anecdotal reports that the surprising results of the 2016 election were motivating people to go to law school. Now we have the hard data to support that hypothesis.

Kaplan Test Prep conducted a survey of over 500 pre-law students and the results confirm the suspicions of many in the industry: the Trump Bump is real. Thirty-two percent of respondents said politics were a motivating factor in deciding to apply. The comments offered show that changes in policy by the Trump administration have prompted some to consider a career in the law:

“I work with refugees and new government policies have directly impacted and impeded my ability to do my job. I am interested in a law degree in order to have a new way to fight for human rights and defend those in need.”

. . .

And even those who had already thought about going to law school before credit the 2016 election with solidifying the decision and potentially changing their career path:

“I wanted to be a lawyer and attend law school before the 2016 election, but the results solidified to me why it was so important to gain a legal education. Prior to that election, I had never considered being a politician; however, I am now considering pursuing a career in politics after my legal education.”

(Read more from “Over 30 Percent of Applicants Want to Go to Law School Because of Trump” HERE)

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Palestinian Authority President Threatens U.S. With ‘Terrorists’

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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called President Donald Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem a “dangerous” development in a speech before the United Nations, then walked out before U.S. envoy Nikki Haley retorted that “we will not chase after you.”

The encounter Tuesday before the Security Council reflected the tensions in U.S.-Palestinian relations since Trump’s declaration that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and his administration’s cuts in UN refugee funds for the Palestinians. Haley was accompanied at the UN by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and chief adviser on Israel-Palestinian peace efforts, and by Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt . . .

Abbas, who renewed his call for an international conference this year to seek a Mideast accord, has vowed not to meet with U.S. officials until the Jerusalem embassy decision is reversed . . .

However, he finished his address with a warning — which others may read as a threat — of violence unless the U.S. restores funds that were cut to the UN Relief and Works Agency, which administers to millions of Palestinian refugees . . .

“If you end your assistance they become terrorists or refugees in Europe,” Abbas said. “It’s either that or you continue to support UNRWA until the crisis ends. We are ready to begin negotiations. We beg you to help us so that we may not commit an act that goes against our beliefs and your beliefs.” (Read more from “Palestinian Authority President Threatens U.S. With ‘Terrorists'” HERE)

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Growing Body of Research Rejects Transgender Movement

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Is Caitlyn Jenner a woman? A growing body of research from scientists, philosophers and feminists says no.

The latest contribution to the debate is “When Harry Became Sally,” a just-released book by Heritage Foundation senior research fellow Ryan T. Anderson, who critiques the transgender movement on the grounds of metaphysics, medicine and public policy.

Contrary to the transgender movement’s central claim — that “gender identity” determines whether someone is a man, a woman or something else — Mr. Anderson said the only rationale for determining an organism’s sex is “by that organism’s organization with respect to sexual reproduction.”

“Apart from that, all you have are sex stereotypes,” Mr. Anderson said Wednesday at a Heritage Foundation gathering. “There’s no other objective standard for identifying the sex of an individual.”

Human beings are a “sexually dimorphic species,” with complementary reproductive systems that are either male or female, Mr. Anderson said. One’s sex is evident in DNA, can be tracked in the womb and manifests itself “in many of our bodily systems and organs all the way down to the molecular level.” (Read more from “Growing Body of Research Rejects Transgender Movement” HERE)

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Major Airlines, Car Rental Companies, Bank End Relationship With NRA

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By The Hill. First National Bank of Omaha said Thursday that it would end its business relationship with the National Rifle Association (NRA) after feedback from customers.

In a post on its official Twitter account Thursday, the bank announced it would no longer renews its contract with the NRA.

“Customer feedback has caused us to review our relationship with the NRA,” the bank wrote. “As a result, First National Bank of Omaha will not renew its contract with the National Rifle Association to issue the NRA Visa Card.”

The bank, which is the largest privately held bank in the United States, previously issued NRA-branded credit cards as part of a its business issuing branded cards for multiple U.S. brands. (Read more from “Bank Ends Relationship With NRA” HERE)
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More Companies End Relationship With NRA

By David Caplan and Brendan Rand. A slew of other companies — including United Airlines, MetLife Inc., Hertz and Best Western — have followed suit, announcing plans to terminate special discounts and benefits for NRA members.

And as petitions circulate online urging companies to #BoycottNRA, the pressure to disassociate from the NRA is growing. #BoycottNRA has already trended on Twitter.

The NRA slammed companies who have been cutting ties with the group, calling it a “shameful” move. . .

Delta Air Lines: Delta announced on Twitter on Saturday morning that it will be ending its contract with the NRA for discounted rates for group travel. . .

Enterprise Holdings Inc.: The car rental company, which also owns Alamo and National, tweeted Friday, “All three of our brands have ended the discount for NRA members. This change will be effective March 26.” (Read more about companies that end relationship with NRA HERE)

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Trump’s Solution for Mass Shootings

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By Fox News. President Trump said Wednesday the administration is going to strengthen background checks for gun purchases and “put a strong emphasis on mental health,” as he promised students and families “we are going to get it done.”

The president, Vice President Mike Pence and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos hosted students, teachers and families affected by the Parkland high school shooting for a “listening session” at the White House Wednesday, which lasted close to two hours.

Exactly one week ago, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, whom the president described as “a sick guy,” opened fire at the high school and now is charged with killing 17 teachers and students with an AR-15 rifle.

“We are going to be very strong on background checks, and put a very strong emphasis on the mental health of somebody,” Trump said at the beginning of the listening session. “We’re going to talk and get it done. It’s been going on too long, too many instances and we’re going to get it done.”

Students and parents from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, along with Parkland city Mayor Christine Hunschofsky, attended the White House session, along with members of Sandy Hook Promise, a national non-profit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic Dec. 14, 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Students from Friendship Public Charter School, Parkmont, and Thurgood Marshall Academy in Washington, D.C. also attended. (Read more from “Trump’s Solution for Mass Shootings” HERE)

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Parkland Victim’s Father Makes Emotional Plea at White House

By Fox News.

Woman Marries the Ghost of a Pirate

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Yes, in the enlightened 21st Century you can “marry” a pirate who died 300 years ago and have it legally recognized.

The pirate, Jack Teague, just became “husband” to Amanda Teague of Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. Her love of pirates began with her work as a Captain Jack Sparrow impersonator. Despite being married to a “physical being” for six years, which culminated in five children, Amanda eventually fell in love with the dead entity Jack Teague and became his “wife.”

According to The Sun, “like any normal couple, Amanda and Jack go on dates, have rows and even have sex. Amanda appeared on Loose Women on Valentines Day 2018 and revealed she buys her ghostly hubby a glass of rum when they go on date nights to her local pub.” . . .

Jack Teague apparently liked living dangerously as a thief on the high seas until he came to his death by execution in the 1700s. Don’t feel bad for him, though, because he found his soulmate in Amanda. Their love affair “began one night in 2014 when she was lying in bed and felt his energy appear beside her.”

Amanda eventually hired a registrar and journeyed to international waters where she could legally marry the pirate. She even employed a “spiritual medium at the wedding to allow him to say ‘I do’ during the ceremony.” (Read more from “Woman Marries the Ghost of a Pirate” HERE)

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Florida House Approves Bill to Post “In God We Trust” in All Public Schools

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With the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High shooting still looming large, its students in the Capitol to lobby for gun controls, the Florida House overwhelmingly passed a measure Wednesday its sponsor said aimed at bringing “light” to the schools.

The bill (HB 839) would require all public schools to post the state motto, “In God We Trust,” in a “conspicuous place.”

Sponsor Rep. Kim Daniels, a Jacksonville Democrat who runs her own ministry, said Florida needed the legislation, given the goings on in the state.

“He is not a Republican or a Democrat. He is not black or white,” Daniels said. “He is the light, and our schools need light in them like never before.”

She spoke directly of the school shooting, and said it’s no secret that the state has “gun issues” that must be addressed. (Read more from “Florida House Approves Bill to Post “In God We Trust” in All Public Schools” HERE)

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Author Bombshell: Media Meddled in Election More Than Russia

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Thirteen Russians and three Russian companies have been indicted for trying to mess with the 2016 presidential election, but the media were the main culprits, according to one author.

George Neumayr said in a special report for The American Spectator, the media tried to keep Americans from voting for then-candidate Donald Trump.

“The media’s torrentially biased coverage of the campaign amounted to a giant disinformation operation designed to dissuade people from voting for Trump,” the contributing editor wrote.

Although Robert Mueller’s office indicted Russian nationalists for meddling with the election, the U.S. government has also proved to be guilty and the media helped them.

“Journalists served as conduits for criminal leaks from Obama administration officials eager to defame Trump,” Neumayr said.

Like the Russians, the DNC and Clinton campaign paid a foreign agent, Christopher Steele, to influence the election by drafting an anti-Trump dossier.

“Imagine Trump paying a foreigner $168,000 to frame Hillary, who then holds press briefings on his ‘dossier’ before the election,” Neumayr wrote. “The press would have reported that immediately as a dirty trick of epic proportions.”

According to the contributing editor, the media who portray themselves as objective journalists do the most damage to the public opinion.

“The public went to the polls suspecting that Russians had meddled in the election,” he said. “What the people didn’t know — thanks to a press in Hillary’s pocket — is that the U.S. government had interfered too, and far more audaciously.”

The true 2016 scandal, according to Neumayr, was that government officials colluded with the Clinton campaign.

“The nabbed Russian trolls had Facebook ads; Hillary’s embeds had the front page of the New York Times.”

The indictment released Friday says that the defendants allegedly conducted “information warfare” against the U.S. in order to spread “distrust towards the candidates and the political system in general,” according to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

“The Mueller indictments don’t reveal anything that Americans didn’t already know, unless they find it mind-blowing to learn that countries spy on and harass each other,” Neumayr said.

He concluded, “The media had run plenty of stories accusing Russians of ‘information warfare.’ But it didn’t run a single story telling Americans that the U.S. government was trafficking in it, spying on one campaign by using smears from the other.”

Although the Russians were indicted for “information warfare,” Rosenstein said, “there is no allegation in the indictment that the charged conduct altered the outcome of the 2016 election.”

According to Neumayr, if any candidate lost votes from disinformation, it was Trump. (For more from the author of “Author Bombshell: Media Meddled in Election More Than Russia” please click HERE)

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