Fed Officials Fear Financial Market ‘Imbalances’ and Possibility of ‘Sharp Reversal’ in Prices

/0 Comments/in , /by

Federal Reserve officials expressed largely optimistic views of economic growth at their most recent meeting but also started to worry that financial market prices are getting out of hand and posing a danger to the economy.

Minutes from the Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Federal Open Market Committee meeting indicate members with almost universally positive views on growth — the labor market, consumer spending and manufacturing all were showing solid gains. While there were disagreements on the pace of inflation, and even a discussion about changing the Fed’s approach to price stability, the sentiment otherwise was largely positive.

Moreover, they said the picture could get even better if Congress lowers corporate taxes as part of the reform plan making its way through the Senate . . .

Stocks have been on a tear throughout 2017, setting a series of record highs and adding trillions in value. That’s come both on the heels of stronger corporate earnings and hopes that the tax reform plan, which would take the corporate rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, becomes a reality . . .

Some members feared what would happen if the market suddenly took a hit . . .

Concerns about the surge in stocks are not new at the Fed, but most officials have downplayed the idea that the market is in a bubble. Wall Street also has been at odds about the market, with Bank of America Merrill Lynch warning of a market top coming in 2018 though Goldman Sachs has predicted another big year.
(Read more from “Fed Officials Fear Financial Market ‘Imbalances’ and Possibility of ‘Sharp Reversal’ in Prices” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

With TSA on the Ropes, Holiday Travel May Be a Bear

/3 Comments/in , /by

The Transportation Security Administration has bad news for tens of millions of Thanksgiving holiday travelers: Lines at airports may be even longer than usual as the agency tries once again to plug security holes in its baggage screening.

TSA is scrambling to respond to yet another damning investigation of its screening effectiveness, for the second time in little more than two years. And the agency is already phasing in revised security procedures — including those for passengers’ electronic devices — that could cause “a slight increase in wait times,” new TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in an interview.

“The procedure is new,” Pekoske said. “It’s new to passengers. It’s somewhat new to our screeners.”

The additional delays may not be as horrendous as the hourslong queues that left many passengers stranded at airports in the summer of 2016, a year after TSA leaders launched a crash course in security improvements in response to a previous failing grade from its inspector general.

But Pekoske said travelers could experience some of the longest wait times of the year on Sunday when many return home from the holiday. TSA has projected that more than 2.6 million passengers and airline crew members will be screened on Sunday alone, potentially making it one of the agency’s top five busiest days ever. (Read more from “With TSA on the Ropes, Holiday Travel May Be a Bear” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Roy Moore Communications Director Resigns

/0 Comments/in , /by

By Ken Meyer. Roy Moore‘s communications director has resigned as his boss continues to fend off the sexual misconduct allegations hovering over his Alabama senate run.

The Washingtonian has received confirmation that John Rogers is no longer part of Moore’s controversial campaign.

(Read more from “Roy Moore Communications Director Resigns” HERE)

______________________________________

Spokesman for Senate Candidate Roy Moore Resigns

By Greg Toppo. The communications director for U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore has resigned, Moore’s campaign said Wednesday, as the Alabama Republican combats allegations that he harassed and sexually assaulted girls as young as 14.

The Washingtonian first reported Wednesday that John Rogers, Moore’s spokesman, had left the campaign. The Reuters news agency reported Wednesday that Rogers decided to leave the campaign on Nov. 17, according to a campaign statement.

“As we all know, campaigns make changes throughout the duration of the campaign,” campaign Chairman Bill Armistead said in the statement. “John made the decision to leave the campaign last Friday — any representations to the contrary are false — and we wish him well.” . . .

News of Rogers’ departure came one day after President Trump all but endorsed Moore and defended him against any charges of inappropriate behavior, telling reporters at the White House, “Roy Moore denies it; that’s all I can say.” (Read more from “Spokesman for Senate Candidate Roy Moore Resigns” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Did Hillary Channel Cash to Journalists for Trump-Dossier News Stories?

/0 Comments/in , /by

By WND. Were Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee paying U.S. journalists who wrote Russia-related stories before and after President Trump’s election?

Fusion GPS – the firm behind the Hillary Clinton- and Democratic National Committee-funded “Trump dossier” – paid at least three unidentified journalists who reported on Russia-related issues, according to newly filed documents to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Who were the journalists who received Fusion GPS cash between June 2016 and February 2017? And exactly why were they being paid?

It’s unclear, as that information is redacted or not revealed in court documents filed Tuesday, according to the Washington Examiner.

The paper said the discovery “could be a breakthrough for House Republicans, who are exploring whether Fusion GPS used the dossier, which was later criticized for having inaccurate information on Trump, to feed anti-Trump stories to the press during and after the presidential campaign.” (Read more from “Did Hillary Channel Cash to Journalists for Trump-Dossier News Stories?” HERE)

__________________________________________

‘Mrs. Clinton Is a Fraud’: Bongino Rips Hillary’s ‘Deception’, Book Tour Share This Email

By Fox News Insider. Former Secret Service Agent Dan Bongino called Hillary Clinton a “fraud” and ripped her radio interview with Salem Network’s Hugh Hewitt.

Brian Kilmeade played tape of the interview, noting how Clinton failed to connect with the electorate and express herself as an agent of change after President Obama’s term expired.

Clinton said that following a two-term president of her own party was like facing a “historic headwind.”

“That’s because she sat in front of focus groups and changed her positions by the day,” Bongino said.

(Read more from “‘Mrs. Clinton Is a Fraud’: Bongino Rips Hillary’s ‘Deception’, Book Tour Share This Email” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Trump Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys, Can’t Resist Making Joke About Obama at the Same Time

/0 Comments/in , /by

President Donald Trump on Tuesday continued the presidential tradition of pardoning a turkey ahead of Thanksgiving, granting a reprieve to a bird named Drumstick and landing a jab against his predecessor in the process.

“I’m pleased to report that unlike millions of other turkeys at this time of year, Drumstick has a very, very bright future ahead of him,” he said.

The lighthearted ceremony at the White House Rose Garden included a joke at the expense of his predecessor, according to NBC News.

Trump began by explaining what will become of Drumstick and an alternate who will also be spared the dinner table on Thursday, Wishbone.

“Upon being pardoned, Drumstick and his friend Wishbone will live out their days at Gobblers Rest, beautiful place,” he said. “It’s custom built, it’s an enclosure on the campus of Virginia Tech.”

At that exhibit, Trump said the birds will “join Tater and Tot, the two turkeys pardoned last year by President Obama.”

Pivoting to the previous administration, Trump noted that he has been “very active in overturning a number of the executive actions” enforced during the Obama administration.

That pattern, however, will not extend to the poultry pardons, Mediaite reported.

“I have been informed by the White House counsel’s office that Tater and Tot’s pardons cannot under any circumstance be revoked.”

Trump concluded that the turkeys spared a year ago can “rest easy” under a new administration.

As The Western Journal reported, Drumstick and Wishbone were nominated for the pardon by Carl Wittenburg, whose family raised them.

Ahead of the ceremony, he explained some of the characteristics that made them stand out among the roughly 80 birds in their flock.

Wittenburg said he paid attention to “their character, their temperament, their showmanship and how they looked strutting their stuff.”

Most important, he added, is the bird’s ability to “handle the show.”

The White House posted a Twitter poll seeking the public’s input on which turkey Trump chose for the pardon.

Drumstick, who won the survey despite Wishbone’s last-minute public appearance at the White House briefing room Tuesday, behaved admirably during the ceremony. Trump also gave himself high marks.

“I feel so good about myself doing this,” he said before issuing the pardon. (For more from the author of “Trump Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys, Can’t Resist Making Joke About Obama at the Same Time” please click HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

DOJ Moves to Strip Citizenship for Immigrant Child Sex Abusers

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Department of Justice on Tuesday filed lawsuits to revoke the U.S. citizenship of five immigrants who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing minors in incidents determined to have taken place before they became naturalized, Fox News has learned.

These individuals, according to the Justice Department, “unlawfully procured their U.S. citizenship by concealing sexual abuse of minor victims during the naturalization process.”

“Committing fraud in any immigration matter undermines the integrity of our immigration system, and is a betrayal of the American people’s generosity,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement. “It is especially appalling when it also involves the sexual abuse of children.”

The lawsuits were filed in the Southern District of Florida, the Northern District of Illinois, the Northern District of Texas and the Southern District of Texas.

According to the Justice Department, the citizenship of a naturalized U.S. citizen can be revoked under the Immigration and Nationality Act if naturalization was illegally procured through the concealment of information. (Read more from “DOJ Moves to Strip Citizenship for Immigrant Child Sex Abusers” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Earthquake WARNING: US Struck by 134 Tremors in ONE WEEK on Most DANGEROUS Fault

/0 Comments/in , /by

Last week a series of 10 mini-earthquakes struck Monterey County in the US state, raising fears a monster tremor could devastate the region.

A powerful, 4.6 magnitude quake 13 miles northeast of Gonzales, along the San Andreas Fault, was the largest to strike the region.

The San Andreas Fault – a 750-mile fissure that runs the length of California – is thought to be long overdue a “Big One” earthquake measuring magnitude 7 or greater.

Since last week, a whopping 134 earthquakes within three miles of that 4.6 tremor were recorded, USGS said.

Of those earthquakes, only 17 were stronger than a 2.5 magnitude and six greater than 3.0, USGS said. (Read more from “Earthquake WARNING: US Struck by 134 Tremors in ONE WEEK on Most DANGEROUS Fault” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Uber Hid Hack That Exposed 57 Million People

/0 Comments/in , /by

Hackers stole the personal data of 57 million customers and drivers from Uber Technologies Inc., a massive breach that the company concealed for more than a year. This week, the ride-hailing firm ousted its chief security officer and one of his deputies for their roles in keeping the hack under wraps, which included a $100,000 payment to the attackers.

Compromised data from the October 2016 attack included names, email addresses and phone numbers of 50 million Uber riders around the world, the company told Bloomberg on Tuesday. The personal information of about 7 million drivers was accessed as well, including some 600,000 U.S. driver’s license numbers. No Social Security numbers, credit card information, trip location details or other data were taken, Uber said.

At the time of the incident, Uber was negotiating with U.S. regulators investigating separate claims of privacy violations. Uber now says it had a legal obligation to report the hack to regulators and to drivers whose license numbers were taken. Instead, the company paid hackers to delete the data and keep the breach quiet. Uber said it believes the information was never used but declined to disclose the identities of the attackers.

“None of this should have happened, and I will not make excuses for it,” Dara Khosrowshahi, who took over as chief executive officer in September, said in an emailed statement. “We are changing the way we do business.” (Read more from “Uber Hid Hack That Exposed 57 Million People” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Trump Backs Roy Moore Amid Accusations

/0 Comments/in , /by

President Trump spoke for the first time to reporters about the accusations of sexual misconduct against U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore, emphasizing that electing “liberal” Democratic opponent Doug Jones would be bad for the nation and that Moore has totally denied the allegations.

The president was asked if he will campaign for Moore ahead of the Dec. 12 special election to fill the Alabama seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

“I’ll be letting you know next week,” the president said as he prepared to board Marine One on his way to Air Force One and a trip to his home in South Florida for the Thanksgiving break.

“I can tell you one thing for sure,” Trump said. “We don’t need a liberal person in there, a Democrat, Jones. I’ve looked at his record. It’s terrible on crime. It’s terrible on the border. It’s terrible on the military.”

Trump was asked if a candidate accused of improper sexual contact with a child was better than a Democrat. (Read more from “Trump Backs Roy Moore Amid Accusations” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

HILARIOUS: Woman With ‘F*** Trump’ Sticker Arrested, but Not Because of the Sticker

/0 Comments/in , /by

. . .A Texas woman drove a truck that bore a sticker reading “F*** TRUMP AND F*** YOU FOR VOTING FOR HIM.”

As The Houston Chronicle reported, that prompted Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls to post a warning on Facebook, hoping he could identify the owner of the vehicle and warning of possible disorderly conduct charges . . .

The ACLU got involved, protesting that the sticker was permissible because of the laws regarding free speech. Fonseca was arrested, and The Washington Post ran this headline, implying the arrest was connected to the sticker brouhaha: “She put an obscene anti-Trump message on her truck and was arrested. Now she might sue.”

Except for one thing: Fonseca was wanted on an outstanding warrant over fraud charges and was arrested after her name went public.

(Read more from “HILARIOUS: Woman With ‘F*** Trump’ Sticker Arrested, but Not Because of the Sticker” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.