Billy Joel’s classic tune “Movin’ Out” could be an appropriate theme song for the many individuals in the High Desert and California who have packed up and relocated to places like Oregon, Michigan, Arizona, Texas and Idaho.
The Golden State continues to rank No. 1 as the state that has waved goodbye to more residents, about 143,000 last year, than welcomed those who have moved here, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report.
And despite the state losing 3.5 million people to other states from 2010 to 2015, many demographic experts said there is no mass exodus from California.
But this story is not so much about the amount of Californians leaving, but about why so many longtime High Desert residents have moved out of the Victor Valley.
Mike and Velvet Ambuski from Hesperia are among those who have relocated because they wanted to live in an area with less crime, better jobs, friendlier people, improved services, less traffic and a more politically conservative atmosphere. (Read more from “Packing Up, Moving Out: People Leaving California in Droves” HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/asddddd.jpg12321840Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2018-02-09 19:48:022018-02-10 22:20:56Packing Up, Moving Out: People Leaving California in Droves
Did former president Barack Obama mislead the American people when he stated, in the heat of the Clinton email scandal, that he does not involve himself in pending investigations “conducted by the Justice Department, or the FBI … in any case”?
New information released Wednesday concerning texts between FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page appears to counter the narrative put forward by the former president. The texts — which have already unearthed several scandalous revelations about FBI officials’ roles in investigating Hillary Clinton — included a conversation a Senate report claims was about President Obama’s role in the Clinton email scandal and investigation.
In September 2016, Page wrote to Strzok about briefing former FBI Director James Comey on the Clinton email investigation, because “potus wants to know everything we’re doing,” Fox News reported.
Yet just five months earlier, then-President Obama stated adamantly that he would not be participating in the Clinton investigation, because it would violate his supposed impartiality.
“I do not talk to the attorney general about pending investigations. I do not talk to FBI directors about pending investigations. We have a strict line, and always have maintained it,” Obama said.
“I guarantee that there is no political influence in any investigation conducted by the Justice Department, or the FBI, not just in this case, but in any case,” he added.
However, in the same interview, Obama said with complete certainty he was confident that Hillary Clinton “has not jeopardized national security.”
Obama continued:
“This is somebody who has served her country for four years as secretary of state, and did an outstanding job. And no one has suggested that in some ways, as a consequence of how she’s handled e-mails, that that detracted from her excellent ability to carry out her duties.”
• “I do not talk to the attorney general about pending investigations.”
• “I do not talk to FBI directors about pending investigations.”
• “I guarantee there is no political influence in any investigation conducted by the Justice Department or the FBI.”
So did Obama really absent himself from the Hillary Clinton email investigation (which ended without any charges filed against her), or was he always managing the Justice Department’s inquiry behind the scenes?
For his part, President Trump responded on Twitter to the newly released texts, describing them as “bombshells.”
Update: The Wall Street Journal reports that according to unnamed “associates” of Strzok and Page, the texts are in reference to an investigation of Russian interference in American politics. This contrasts with Fox News’ report linking the exchange to Obama’s alleged involvement in the Clinton email investigation. (For more from the author of “Did Obama Lie? Do New Texts Indicate Then-Potus’ Knowledge of Hillary Investigation?” please click HERE)
Bermuda became the first country in the world to repeal a law allowing gay couples to marry Wednesday.
The historic change comes after Bermuda governor, John Rankin, approved a bill Wednesday that reversed the nation’s 2017 Supreme Court ruling allowing gays to marry, according to the U.K. Independent.
The passage of the bill followed its approval by both the House and Senate in December. Both chambers approved the bill by wide margins.
Critics say that the move is a direct affront to both the LGBT community as well as a removal of what many deem a civil right for Bermudian citizens.
Conservatives applauded the action as a move that affirms and stabilizes a more traditional view of family.
“Governor Rankin and the Bermuda Parliament have shamefully made Bermuda the first national territory in the world to repeal marriage equality,” Ty Cobb, the Human Rights Campaign Global director, told the Independent.
“This is not equality,” 64-year-old married gay Bermudian Joe Gibbons also said.
“Progress is precious. This should worry us all! #BoycottBermuda” tweeted GLAAD president, Sarah Kate Ellis on Thursday. GLAAD advocates for LGBTQ acceptance and seeks to “shape the media narrative” according to its website.
Bermuda still allows gay couples to enter into domestic partnerships.
Bermuda minister of home affairs, Walton Brown, said that the move isn’t an attempt to ostracize gay community members but is simply an attempt to balance the widespread opposition to gay marriage which exists on the socially conservative island while ensuring protections to same-sex couples.
“The act is intended to strike a fair balance between two currently irreconcilable groups in Bermuda, by restating that marriage must be between a male and a female while at the same time recognizing and protecting the rights of same-sex couples,” Brown said.
Gay couples who married in 2017 while gay marriage was legal in Bermuda will not have their legally married status repealed.
Bermuda’s repeal of gay marriage comes after Australia and Austria both voted to legalize same-sex marriage in December.
Germany also voted to legalize gay marriage in June.
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/1280px-Rainbow_flag_and_blue_skies-1.jpg8511280Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2018-02-08 23:42:112018-02-10 22:11:09Country Becomes the First to Repeal Same-Sex Marriage
The FBI’s informant in the Uranium One scandal involving the Obama administration gave written testimony to three congressional committees this week in which he accused the Obama administration of making decisions that directly benefited the Russian government and their goals of gaining geopolitical advantages over the United States.
The informant, Douglas Campbell, told congressional investigators on Wednesday that Moscow sent millions of dollars to the U.S. with the expectation that it would benefit the Clintons, while Hillary Clinton “quarterbacked a ‘reset’ in US-Russian relations” in her role as Secretary of State during the Obama administration, The Hill reported . . .
Campbell participated in closed-door interviews with the Senate Judiciary, House Intelligence and House Oversight and Government Reform committees.
Campbell said that Russian nuclear officials told him that Moscow hired an American lobbying firm, APCO Worldwide, because it was in a unique position to influence the Obama administration, Hillary Clinton in particular.
Democrats are aggressively trying to discredit him but are having little success as “the FBI found Campbell’s undercover work valuable enough to reward him with a $50,000 check in 2016.” (Read more from “Bombshell: FBI Informant in Uranium One Scandal Testifies Against Obama. Here’s What He Said.” HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/Barack_Obama_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg27054058Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2018-02-08 03:36:522018-02-10 22:08:58Bombshell: FBI Informant in Uranium One Scandal Testifies Against Obama. Here’s What He Said.
Just when you thought the Democratic National Committee’s funding of the dossier used to spy on Trump’s campaign was scandalous, WikiLeaks has revealed another DNC connection to the FISA spying warrant.
It turns out the author of a Yahoo News story – which was reportedly used by the FBI and DOJ on a FISA warrant application to lend credibility to the anti-Trump dossier – had been secretly working with the DNC “for weeks.”
The Yahoo author who was reportedly working with the DNC is Michael Isikoff, chief investigative correspondent at the news organization and co-author of the upcoming book “Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin’s War on America and the Election of Donald Trump.”
On Wednesday, WikiLeaks released the following May 4, 2016, email from DNC contractor Alexandra Chalupa to DNC communications director Luis Miranda.
In it, Chalupa – who was at the center of allegations that Democrats worked with Ukranians to find dirt on Trump – tells Miranda, “… I invited Michael Isikoff whom I’ve been working with for the past few weeks and connected him to the Ukranians.”
Emails reveal that Michael Isikoff, whose Yahoo News article based on the "Steele dossier" was used to obtain the FISA interception warrant against the Trump campaign's Carter Page, was secretly "working with" the DNC. https://t.co/zsRlb9CcVmpic.twitter.com/dkc4JIV0XN
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/Lincoln_County_Democratic_Party_headquarters.jpg23043456Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2018-02-08 02:44:012018-02-10 22:21:48Surprise! Another DNC Link to Spying on Trump Team
A California judge has refused to advance a social agenda in his state that targets Christians who refuse to endorse homosexuality through their work.
In this case it was baker Cathy Miller of Tastries Bakery who was put in a state bull’s-eye because she refused to use her artistic talents to promote the “wedding” of two lesbians.
The state asked Superior Court Judge David Lampe to issue a preliminary injunction ordering Miller either to create wedding cakes for same-sex duos or be barred from serving anyone.
But Lampe recognized that the issue is not about discrimination against same-sex couples.
“The state is not petitioning the court to order defendants to sell a cake. The state asks this court to compel Miller to use her talents to design and create a cake she has not yet conceived with the knowledge that her work will be displayed in celebration of a marital union her religion forbids. For this court to force such compliance would do violence to the essentials of Free Speech guaranteed under the First Amendment,” he wrote. (Read more from “Judge: Baker Has Right to Refuse ‘Same-Sex Wedding’ Cakes” HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/Leaving_Seattle_City_Hall_on_first_day_of_gay_marriage_in_Washington_2-2.jpg19362936Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2018-02-06 21:10:312018-02-10 22:23:06Judge: Baker Has Right to Refuse ‘Same-Sex Wedding’ Cakes
Nick Foles Plans to Become a Pastor After Football
By ABC News. Nick Foles has a calling far greater than throwing touchdown passes . . .
“I want to be a pastor in a high school,” Foles said Thursday. “It’s on my heart. I took a leap of faith last year and signed up to take classes at seminary. I wanted to continue to learn and challenge my faith. It’s a challenge because you are writing papers that are biblically correct. You want to impact people’s hearts.”
Foles is part of a team that has a strong Christian brotherhood. MVP contender Carson Wentz has been outspoken about his faith and many players spend a lot of time together in prayer, studying the Bible and sharing devotionals.
Foles was one of the study leaders during his first stint in Philadelphia and has become a go-to source for younger guys. Left guard Stefen Wisniewksi also plans to become a pastor after his career ends. (Read more from “Nick Foles Plans to Become a Pastor After Football” HERE)
________________________________________
By ABC News. The underdog Philadelphia Eagles upset the defending champion New England Patriots, 41-33, Sunday night, to win their first Super Bowl ever.
The victory over the dynastic Patriots was pulled out shortly after Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham stripped 40-year-old New England quarterback Tom Brady in the final minutes, setting up a 44-yard field goal from rookie kicker Jake Elliot with just over a minute left.
The Eagles were an underdog in Super Bowl LII as the NFC squad, led by an untested coach with only two years at the reins and a backup quarterback, 29-year-old Nick Foles, who had never won a playoff game before this season. New England, at most betting outlets, was favored to win by 4.5 points.
Foles was thrust into the starting role after MVP contender Carson Wentz was lost for the season when he suffered a torn ACL and LCL in a week 14 win over the Los Angeles Rams. (Read more from “Philadelphia Eagles Win Superbowl” HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/3784421930_1f1bda39b7_b.jpg5031024Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2018-02-05 23:01:482018-02-10 22:15:42Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Plans to Become a Pastor
By The Daily Wire. On Friday, Campus Reform uploaded a video in which Cabot Phillips catches people in their biases . . .
To transcribe the results would rob you of the joy of seeing progressive bias get shredded. Just watch and enjoy:
(Read more from “Watch: People Trash Quotes from Obama’s SOTU When They Think It’s Trump’s” HERE)
___________________________________________
Trump’s SOTU Speech Gets Strong Public Support, Journalists Still Hate Him, and Other Outrageous Media Fiascos
By Fox News. President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech was met with strong public support. Seventy-five percent of Americans approved – including 43 percent of Democrats, according to a CBS News poll conducted right after the speech Tuesday. The news media have spent nearly every second since telling those same voters why they were wrong. It was a “Groundhog Day” moment with journalists playing the Bill Murray role doing the same thing they’ve done every day of this administration – criticizing President Trump.
Both CNN and MSNBC cited white nationalist nutball David Duke as supporting President Trump’s immigration views. NBC’s Capitol Hill Correspondent Kasie Hunt said Duke liked the president’s “Americans are dreamers too” comment. And CNN Political Analyst Kirsten Powers enjoyed mentioning that “white nationalists, David Duke praised him for saying this.”
NBC’s “Today” Co-Host Savannah Guthrie falsely claimed Trump is “under criminal investigation right now for obstruction of justice.” And ABC News’ Chief Political Analyst Matthew Dowd was Bill Murray-esque, once again claiming, “I think we are as divided now as we were” in the 1860s.
Perhaps Dowd can point on a map the locations of widespread red and blue armies, sieges or 750,000 deaths like we had in the Civil War.
MSNBC Host Rachel Maddow pretended President Trump “wants a war with North Korea.” And her fellow Host Joy Reid went further off the deep end, depicting traditional American values in the worst way. “Church … family … police … military … the national anthem … Trump trying to call on all the tropes of 1950s-era nationalism.” If that’s the party line on the left, President Trump can count on being in the White House another seven years. (Read more from “Trump’s SOTU Speech Gets Strong Public Support, Journalists Still Hate Him, and Other Outrageous Media Fiascos” HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/31073485032_80177ec831_b.jpg6831024Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2018-02-05 22:38:492018-02-10 22:18:02Watch: People Trash Quotes from Obama’s SOTU When They Think It’s Trump’s
On Friday, a former FBI agent wrote an eye-catching opinion piece in the New York Times, claiming that he had retired from the Bureau because it had received unfair “political attacks” from Republicans in Congress.
Other than its entirely disingenuous premise (alleging Republicans are attacking the FBI as a whole, rather than investigating alleged misdeads under leaders James Comey and Andrew McCabe), the piece leaves out important information.
Nowhere in the opinion article does Campbell reveal the fact that he was James Comey’s special assistant. Campbell presents himself as someone who is unattached to the current political situation, leaving out the fact that he has a huge vested interest in defending Comey.
But it gets worse. Following the op-ed, John Cardillo, a host for The Rebel and former law enforcement officer, claimed that Campbell also left out the fact that he had already accepted an offer to become a CNN analyst.
My FBI sources tell me the real reason the writer of this piece, Josh Campbell, one of @comey and #McCabe's allies, is leaving the Bureau is because he was offered and accepted a VERY lucrative gig with @CNN to throw shade on the scandal.https://t.co/6wQ2bGM4TS
In joining CNN, Campbell has changed his social media information to remove his association with Comey. Prior to joining CNN, Campbell’s Twitter bio had revealed that he served as Comey’s special assistant.
Moreover, @joshscampbell has changed his Twitter bio to apparently hide his connection to former director James Comey. Last week, Campbell's bio revealed he was Comey's special assistant at the FBI.https://t.co/SwWobpMqA4
Campbell’s misdirection appears to be borrowing from the tactics of his recent colleague, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. When attempting to get a warrant to spy on the Trump campaign, McCabe swore to the authenticity of the Trump-Russia dossier. He reportedly never told the FISA court judge the fact that the dossier was concocted by political forces who were paid by Hillary Clinton. Similarly, Campbell, in representing himself as a neutral force, has omitted the fact that he served as James Comey’s right-hand man. (For more from the author of “‘Fake News Meets OBAMAgate’: Comey Assistant Leaves FBI for CNN” please click HERE)
Cellular phone company T-Mobile took a strong political stance Sunday with a Super Bowl commercial that had nothing to do with mobile phones.
The ad, narrated by liberal actress Kerry Washington, suggested that today’s infants will grow up to promote equality, in part by demanding “fair and equal pay” and loving “who (they) want.”
As Washington spoke, the camera panned over a diverse group of babies, as a lullaby version of Nirvana’s “All Apologies” played in the background. The minute-long commercial was titled, “Change starts here.”
“Welcome to the world little ones,” Washington said at the start of the ad.
“You come with open minds and the instinct that we are equal,” she continued. “Some people may see your differences and be threatened by them, but you are unstoppable. You’ll love who you want; you’ll demand fair and equal pay; you will not allow where you come from to dictate where you’re going.”
“Change starts here,” Washington concluded.
As noted by the Washington Examiner, the ad stood out, as many of the companies who paid to air commercials during Super Bowl LII avoided politics altogether.
T-Mobile’s choice to take a stance, though, seemed to be an intentional one.
“Brands have an important role in changing culture,” Nick Drake, T-Mobile’s executive vice president of marketing, told The Wall Street Journal. “There is always going to be some risk with these things, but we think this subject matter is something everybody can agree on.”
In a blog post on the company’s website, T-Mobile CEO John Legere noted that the company chose to air the ad because “this moment in history calls for something different.”
Legere emphasized that his company takes pride in listening to its customers, no matter their “economic class, race, sex, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation.”
This year, we wanted to use our #SuperBowl airtime to share that @TMobile believes we all started in the same place. We are more alike than different. And we are unstoppable. pic.twitter.com/piNDVYloAN
Our customers are America. And there’s a more important conversation they’re having right now,” he said, adding, “We wanted to use our airtime to further that conversation by making this simple point: We all started in the same place. We are more alike than different.”
But at least on Twitter, many users claimed the T-Mobile ad’s message was unnecessarily politically charged. Some even suggested that T-Mobile was simply “pandering” to liberals.
So @TMobile decided to promote social justice instead of cell service. What sad pandering to the Left. #SuperBowl
Others pointed out irony in the fact that T-Mobile was able to air their commercial, but the NFL rejected an ad from a veterans group that encouraged fans to stand during the playing of the national anthem.
It’s far from the first time Legere has become embroiled in controversy. In April 2015, he got into a Twitter argument with then-businessman Donald Trump after the real estate magnate said T-Mobile’s service was “terrible.” (For more from the author of “This Ad Might Have Been the Most Politically Charged Commercial of the Entire Super Bowl” please click HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/16161407600_5d69466177_b.jpg7651024Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2018-02-05 18:29:172018-02-10 22:12:44This Ad Might Have Been the Most Politically Charged Commercial of the Entire Super Bowl
