Photo Credit: Fox NewsThe suburban New York newspaper that created a firestorm earlier this year when it published the names and addresses of gun permit holders has requested more data regarding legal owners of firearms, apparently to determine if handgun ownership patterns have changed in the last six months.
The Journal News, a Gannett-owned paper that covers suburban counties just north of New York City, requested more personal information in May. This time, it included statistical data, as well as names and addresses of gun permit holders from Rockland, Putnam and Westchester counties. Out of the paper’s reach are the names of those that opted out of the public records under the NY SAFE law, passed after the Journal News published an interactive map showing the address of every registered handgun owner in two counties it covers.
“The request indicated that it was in relation to a ‘news event,’” Westchester County spokeswoman Rosia Blackwell Lawrence told FoxNews.com.
The latest document request, made on May 15, sought the names and addresses of all permit holders in the Westchester database, along with other data that pertained to some 9,996 opt-out requests, including reasons for the requests, total number of requests received, and the total number of requests approved.
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.png00Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2013-07-10 03:34:532016-04-11 11:19:38Newspaper That Published Map of Gun Owners at it Again (+video)
Photo Credit: Fox NewsHouse Republicans want the IRS to pay for targeting political groups and are pushing legislation that would cut the tax collecting agency’s budget by $3 billion — nearly a quarter of what it received last fiscal year.
The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to start “marking up” the spending bill Wednesday.
While it’s unlikely that such a severe cut will pass both congressional chambers, it does give lawmakers another opportunity to verbally punish the agency for unfairly scrutinizing conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status.
The bill would place additional restrictions on spending at the IRS and prohibit employees from implementing the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act – commonly referred to as ObamaCare. It also bans conferences, the production of videos and curbs what lawmakers see as a number of abuses at the IRS.
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.png00Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2013-07-10 03:25:052016-04-11 11:19:39Citing Abuses, House GOP Wants to Gut IRS’s Budget by One-Quarter (+video)
Photo Credit: Fox NewsBy Fox News. Defense lawyers will be permitted to show that Trayvon Martin had marijuana in his system when he and George Zimmerman had their fateful encounter in a gated community in Florida last year, the judge in Zimmerman’s murder trial ruled Monday.
Judge Debra Nelson denied a motion by prosecutors to keep toxicology results showing THC in Martin’s system from the jury, paving the way for Zimmerman’s lawyers to argue the drug may have influenced the teen’s behavior. Defense attorney Don West noted that in Zimmerman’s statement to the non-emergency 911 dispatcher that it appeared the person he was observing in the Sanford, Fla., community was “on drugs.”
Late Monday, Zimmerman defense spokesman Shawn Vincent said the defense could rest by the end of the day Tuesday or early Wednesday morning. The prosecution would then have rebuttal witnesses, with closing statements by Thursday or Friday. Vincent stressed this scenario depended on everything going as expected.
Nelson’s ruling on the toxicology results came after the jury was dismissed following a day of conflicting testimony about whose voice could be heard screaming on a subsequent 911 tape. A parade of Zimmerman’s friends said they recognized the neighborhood watch volunteer’s voice, but Martin’s father, who police said initially told them he did not recognize the voice, said he came to realize it was his son after hearing the tape some 20 times.
The testimony, in week three of Zimmerman’s murder trial, came after the mothers of both Zimmerman and Martin testified Friday it was their son doing the screaming in the Feb. 26, 2012, 911 call made to Sanford, Fla., police. The issue is critical because Zimmerman, a 29-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer, says he shot the 17-year-old in self-defense as he was being beaten.
Photo Credit: Breitbart Broward County Sheriff’s Office Prepares Zimmerman Verdict Riot Plan
By Ben Shapiro. On Monday, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office released a video calling on the public not to riot in the wake of the George Zimmerman verdict, expected this week or next in Florida. The Sheriff’s Office released a statement explaining that it was “working closely with the Sanford Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies” to coordinate “a response plan in anticipation of the verdict.”
The video, titled “Raise Your Voice, Not Your Hands,” focuses on attempting to channel reaction into non-violent response. It depicts two youngsters, one black teenage boy, one Hispanic teenage girl. “Raise your voice!” says the girl. “And not your hands!” says the boy. “We need to stand together as one, no cuffs, no guns,” says the girl. “Let’s give violence a rest, because we can easily end up arrested,” says the boy. “I know your patience will be tested,” says the girl, and then both conclude, “but law enforcement has your back!”
“Let’s back up and choose not to act up, and deputies are with us, so no need to act up,” says the boy. “Let it roll off your shoulders,” says the girl, “it’s water off your back, don’t lack composure, because in one instant it could be over.” Both conclude: “So let’s make the choice to raise your voice and not your hands.” Sheriff Scott Israel says, “I’m Sheriff Scott Israel, and law enforcement does have your back.” Read more from this story HERE.
By Jack Cashill. On Monday afternoon, the State of Florida’s case against George Zimmerman all but collapsed when the defense put a lie to the State’s claim that Trayvon Martin was the one whose voice was heard on the 9-1-1 tapes.
A critical part of the evidence to support the second-degree murder affidavit against Zimmerman was the identification by Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, of her son’s screaming voice on what the defense calls the “Lauer tape,” the 9-1-1 call that recorded forty seconds of cries for help.
On Friday, July 8, the State closed its case by calling Fulton to the witness stand. As expected, and as highly anticipated by those wanting Zimmerman’s head, Fulton claimed that it was her son’s voice on the 9-1-1 tape…
Under defense attorney Mark O’Mara’s guidance [on Monday], Chris Serino, the lead investigator in the case, told how he played the 9-1-1 tapes for Tracy Martin, Trayvon’s father, two days after the shooting.
When Serino asked Martin if the screaming voice on the 9-1-1 tape was his son’s, Martin said “no.” Sanford PD officer Doris Singleton testified next. She witnessed the exchange and confirmed what Serino had said. “[Tracy Martin] was telling Chris it was not his son’s voice,” said Singleton. Read more from this story HERE.
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.png00Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2013-07-09 02:42:432016-04-11 11:19:40Judge Rules Defense Can Show Trayvon Martin Died With Marijuana in His System; Sheriff Prepares for Riots (+video)
Photo Credit: STATE DEPARTMENTCameras Catch Mystery Break-In at Whistleblower’s Law Firm
By John Hudson. The offices of a Dallas law firm representing a high-profile State Department whistleblower were broken into last weekend. Burglars stole three computers and broke into the firm’s file cabinets. But silver bars, video equipment and other valuables were left untouched, according to local Fox affiliate KDFW, which aired security camera footage of the suspected burglars entering and leaving the offices around the time of the incident.
The firm Schulman & Mathias represents Aurelia Fedenisn, a former investigator at the State Department’s Office of the Inspector General. In recent weeks, she raised a slew of explosive allegations against the department and its contractors ranging from illicit drug use, soliciting sexual favors from minors and prostitutes and sexual harassment.
“It’s a crazy, strange and suspicious situation,” attorney Cary Schulman told The Cable. “It’s clear to me that it was somebody looking for information and not money. My most high-profile case right now is the Aurelia Fedenisn case, and I can’t think of any other case where someone would go to these great lengths to get our information.”
According to the KDFW report, the firm was the only suite burglarized in the high-rise office building and an unlocked office adjacent was left untouched.
The State Department, which has repeatedly disputed Fedenisn’s allegations, denied any involvement in the incident. “Any allegation that the Department of State authorized someone to break into Mr. Schulman’s law firm is false and baseless,” spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
Sex for Visas? State Department now confirms probe of US consular official in Guyana
By Judson Berger. The State Department acknowledged it is investigating alleged “improprieties” regarding a consular official who until recently was posted to Guyana, following reports he was trading visas for money and possibly sex.
The department said in a statement it was “aware” of the allegations, without going into detail.
“The department takes all allegations of misconduct by employees seriously,” a spokeswoman said in an email.
“We are reviewing the matter thoroughly. If the allegations are substantiated, we will work with the relevant authorities to hold anyone involved accountable.”
The department would not identify the individual, though media reports in Guyana have. Read more from this story HERE.
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.png00Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2013-07-09 02:32:342016-04-11 11:19:41Worse than Watergate? Cameras Catch Break-In at Law Firm Representing Whistleblower in Explosive State Department Sex, Molestation, Drug Scandal (+video)
Photo Credit: Highway Patrol ImagesA video affiliated with the Libertarian Party that involved Rutherford County Sheriff’s Deputy A.J. Ross went viral yesterday on social media sites.
“We’ve gotten worldwide response for this,” said Axl David, communications director for the Libertarian Party of Tennessee, a political party that encourages minimum government limited to following the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The video depicted a verbal altercation between Chris Kalbaugh, a 21-year-old junior at Middle Tennessee State University, and Ross at a DUI checkpoint Thursday night…
When Kalbaugh continued to challenge Ross’ demands on the basis of “constitutional rights,” Ross ordered him to pull his car over and step out of the vehicle.
“I broke no laws, and I made sure to be respectful the entire time while still exercising my constitutional freedom,” Kalbaugh said. “The officers would not let me leave, but they would not answer if I was being detained.”
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.png00Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2013-07-09 02:31:112016-04-11 11:19:41Cops Violate Student’s Constitutional Rights at Roadblock, Video Goes Viral
Photo Credit: CorbisPresident Obama gave a speech Monday instructing Americans not to be so “cynical” about government. This is not a setup for a punch line. He then explained that the major problem with government is that it does not run as efficiently as “one of the most inclusive and most successful campaigns in American history.” His own.
It was unclear if Mr. Obama was referring to his 2008 political operation or the 2012 reprise, but in any case he said he is developing a new “management agenda” to deliver a “smarter and more accountable” government, “just like we did on that campaign.” Call us cynical, but is there an American outside of Washington nostalgic for the last election?
“What matters in the end is completion. Performance. Results. Not just making promises, but making good on promises,” Mr. Obama continued. Sorry, that was George W. Bush in 2001 debuting what he also called a new “management agenda.” Perhaps Mr. Obama’s version is an homage, though he didn’t acknowledge the debt, nor did he mention Al Gore’s “reinventing government” program of the 1990s.
President Obama’s management agenda is also indebted to President Obama’s 2011 call for a scrubdown of the regulatory state for duplicative rules, as well as President Obama’s 2012 proposal to consolidate and reorganize the executive branch. The authorities have since issued Amber Alerts for both projects.
Photo Credit: Daily Caller GOP strategist Karl Rove was caught on tape blasting Michigan Rep. Justin Amash as the “most liberal Republican.”
“The most liberal Republican is Justin Amash of Michigan. Far more liberal than any other Republican,” said Rove, who served as deputy chief of staff to former President George W. Bush.
The man dubbed “Bush’s Brain” in a New York Times bestseller blamed Amash’s libertarian leanings for this distinction.
“And why? Because he is a 100 percent, purist libertarian,” Rove said, “and if it’s not entirely perfect, ‘I’m voting with [House Minority Leader] Nancy Pelosi.”
Rove actually made the remarks at the Aspen Ideas Festival in late June, but journalist Andrew Kirell tweeted out the video Monday. It was subsequently picked by a libertarian blog and local media in Michigan.
Photo Credit: Fox28The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office says a man got a wake up call he wasn’t expecting this morning.
A man broke into his home wielding a hatchet. Police say there was a fight and the intruder wound up dead. This break-in is concerning for people in the small town.
“Usually nothing like that happens around here, it’s pretty quiet,” said Frank Green, a New Carlisle resident.
People in New Carlisle are still wrapping their heads around a home invasion that happened around 9:15am CT Monday. The LaPorte County Sheriff’s office says a man broke into a house off of the 6000-block of E. 1000 North.
Neighbors say they can’t believe someone would target a home in the wooded area, but the Sheriff says criminals sometimes look for that type of house.
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.png00Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2013-07-09 02:12:252016-04-11 11:19:43Man Shoots, Kills Ax-Wielding Man Who Broke Into His Home (+video)
Photo Credit: ThinkstockHHS gives up on Obamacare’s anti-fraud measures
By Philip Klein. One of the biggest administrative hurdles facing Obamacare was the ambitious plan to verify the income and insurance status of applicants for federal health coverage subsidies. In theory, on Oct. 1 of this year, a prospective beneficiary of Obamacare was supposed to be able to visit a website like Orbitz, enter basic information, and wait as multiple state and federal government databases communicated with one another to confirm in real time the applicant’s income level, and then display the level of subsidy to which the applicant was entitled, if any. It was a level of technological sophistication unlike anything ever attempted by the government. Now, with less than three months to go before Obamacare’s health insurance exchanges are set to begin enrolling applicants, Obama’s Department of Health and Human Services is throwing up its hands. Just as it did with the employer mandate, the administration has announced it would delay the implementation of these anti-fraud procedures due to the administrative difficulty.
In a regulation released Friday and flagged by Washington Post reporters Sarah Kliff and Sandhya Somashekhar, the administration will now rely on self-reported data. You read that correctly. A man who earns $50,000 per year and gets insurance through his employer could log on to the new government website and say he earns $20,000 and gets no insurance through his employer, and the government would not even attempt to confirm that the information is accurate before forking over generous taxpayer subsidies. It’s a recipe for rampant fraud, which is already widespread in Medicare and Medicaid.
Photo Credit: Washington Examiner Obamacare was simply bad legislating
By Timothy P. Carney. President Obama’s signature legislative achievement was simply a bad bit of legislating. The administration’s decision to postpone the employer health insurance mandate is just the latest evidence that this law was poorly built.
An analogy: You may think Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings are beautiful or ugly. But that’s a matter of taste, and it’s a different question from whether they are built soundly.
Analogously, you may share Obama’s views of government or reject it, but that’s a separate issue from whether this law was well made. With Obamacare, the architects used nails where screws were needed, and the angles aren’t quite right. This structure can’t bear its own weight.
The employer mandate was always a bad idea, and not only from the perspective of economic liberty. Liberal health-care wonks knew that the employer-based health-insurance system was a big part of our problem. If people get their insurance from work, then they lose their insurance when they switch jobs, exacerbating the problem that insurers typically don’t cover preexisting conditions. Also, when the HR director is doing the insurance shopping for all employees, insurers don’t face real competitive pressure.
Photo Credit: TownhallWhat the Employer Mandate Delay Says About Obamacare’s Dysfunction
By Kevin Glass. The Obama Administration’s decision to delay implementation of one of Obamacare’s big regulations – the employer mandate – led to some progressives actually cheering. “Delaying Obamacare’s employer mandate is the right thing to do. Frankly, eliminating it — or at least utterly overhauling it — is probably the right thing to do,” wrote the Washington Post’s Ezra Klein. “In my view, the Administration should have gone further than delaying the employer mandate. They should have also proposed a bill to remove it entirely,” writes economist Austin Frakt. Talking Points Memo’s Brian Beutler writes, “I think you can make a decent case that the administration is actually doubling down on the most crucial and politically high-valence part of the law.”
These have come along with typical blame-Republicans condemnations. If the employer mandate is so bad, why wouldn’t Congressional Republicans just team up with Democrats to repeal it entirely, for example?
These critics are largely missing the point.
President Obama promised perfection when it came to the Affordable Care Act. More insurance coverage, better health outcomes, cheaper premiums, and you can keep your health care plan. That last one was particularly key when it came to selling the whole package. “If you like your health care plan, you can keep it” was repeated time and again in the President’s PR campaign for the health legislation. Read more from this story HERE.
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.png00Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2013-07-08 01:43:262016-04-11 11:19:45The Obamacare Train Wreck Continues: Now, the HHS Fraud Prevention Mandate Thrown Out (+videos)
Photo Credit: Carlos Avila GonzalezOfficial: SF plane crash victim may have been run over
By Jaxon Van Derbeken. An autopsy was being conducted Sunday to determine whether one of the two teenaged passengers killed on the Asiana Airlines flight had been run over by a San Francisco fire rig at the crash scene.
The 16-year-old girl was found near the evacuation slide near the left wing of Asiana Flight 214 which crashed Saturday during a landing at San Francisco International Airport. The girl was not identified.
San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said Sunday her injuries are consistent with her having been run over.
“As it possibly could have happened, based on the injuries sustained, it could have been one of our vehicles that added to the injuries, or another vehicle,” Hayes-White said. “That could have been something that happened in the chaos. It will be part of our investigation.”
Hayes-White said that a runway video recording of the first seconds of the crash could help unravel what occurred. “Part of it was pretty good vantage point,” she said. Read more from this story HERE.
Photo Credit: APCrash Survivor: Flight attendants ‘fell out’ of the back of the plane
By Madeleine Morgenstern. A survivor of the Asiana Airlines plane crash at San Francisco International Airport said flight attendants “fell out” of the back of the plane after the tail section broke off.
“Right when it appeared to coast for the landing,…(he) sped up, like the pilot knew he was short,” Elliott Stone told CNN, according to the Agence France-Presse news agency. “And then the back end just hit, and flies up in the air, and everybody’s head goes up to the ceiling. And then it just kind of drifts for a little bit, for a good 300 yards and then tips over. Fire starts.”
Two passengers identified as teen girls from China were found outside the wreckage and confirmed dead, and 182 people were transported to area hospitals, 49 with critical injuries. The flight had been carrying 307 people.
Stone said he was able to evacuate safely because he was seated in the middle of the Boeing 777, but the flight attendants seated in the back “got hammered, because we landed short.”
“And then they all fell out – and it was just the most terrible thing I’ve seen,” he said. Read more from this story HERE.
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.png00Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2013-07-08 01:42:092016-04-11 11:19:45UPDATE: Asiana Boeing 777 Crash Caught on Film, One Victim May Have Been Run Over (+video)
