JUNE 2016
Thursday - June
30, 2016 - Today in History:
1841 - The Erie Railroad rolled out its first passenger train.
1894 - Korea declared independence from China and asked for Japanese
aid.
1915 - During World War I, the Second Battle Artois ended when the
French failed to take Vimy Ridge.
1921 - U.S. President Warren G. Harding appointed former President
William Howard Taft chief justice of the United States.
1934 - Adolf Hitler purged the Nazi Party by destroying the SA and
bringing to power the SS in the "Night of the Long Knives."
1936 - Margaret Mitchell’s book, "Gone with the Wind," was published.
1950 - U.S. President Harry Truman ordered U.S. troops into Korea and
authorizes the draft.
1953 - The first Corvette rolled off the Chevrolet assembly line in
Flint, MI. It sold for $3,250.
1957 - The American occupation headquarters in Japan was dissolved.
1958 - The U.S. Congress passed a law authorizing the admission of
Alaska as the 49th state in the Union.
1964 - The last of U.N. troops left Congo after a four-year effort to
bring stability to the country.
1971 - The Supreme Court ruled that the government could not prevent the
Washington Post or the New York Times from publishing the Pentagon
Papers.
1977 - U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced his opposition to the B-1
bomber.
1994 - The U.S. Figure Skating Association stripped Tonya Harding of the
1994 national championship and banned her from the organization for life
for an attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan.
1998 - Officials confirmed that the remains of a Vietnam War serviceman
buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery were
identified as those of Air Force pilot Michael J. Blassie.
2000 - U.S. President Clinton signed the E-Signature bill to give the
same legal validity to an electronic signature as a signature in pen and
ink.
2004 - The international Cassini spacecraft entered Saturn's orbit. The
craft had been on a nearly seven-year journey.
NATO activity on Russian borders ‘doubled,’ provoking Moscow’s
response – Russian Defense Ministry
RT - NATO activity on Russia’s doorstep has “more than doubled”
recently, forcing Russia to take retaliatory measures, Russian
Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said. “Now NATO and the US have
deployed about 1,200 pieces of military equipment, including 30
combat jets, as well as more than 1,000 soldiers on the
territories of the Eastern European countries on a rotational
basis. The US navy ships as well as military vessels of other
NATO members regularly enter the Baltic and Black Seas,” Shoigu
said Wednesday at the session of the Russian Defense Ministry
Board that comprises Russia’s top military command, according to
a statement from the Defense Ministry. He added that NATO also
continues to modernize and upgrade various military facilities
in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and the Baltic States to bring them
up to NATO standards. The deployment of the US anti-missile
defense systems (ABM) in Eastern Europe is a source of
particular concern for the Russian military, the minister said
at the meeting, which was dedicated to planning and development
of Russia’s western military district.
EU Army on way? EU cannot rely on NATO and needs new defence
policy says Brussels chief
Express - According to a new foreign policy document from the
Brussels-based institution to be handed to EU leaders next week,
a “credible European defence” is also essential to preserve good
relations with the US. EU foreign policy chief Federica
Mogherini’s Global Strategy document states that “as Europeans
we must take greater responsibility for our security”. The white
paper, seen by Politico, adds: “While NATO exists to defend its
members — most of which are European — from external attack,
Europeans must be better equipped, trained and organized to
contribute decisively to such collective efforts, as well as to
act autonomously if and when necessary…. While it stresses that
“NATO remains the primary framework for most member states”, it
goes on to urge EU members to “channel a sufficient level of
expenditure to defence”. The document will be seized on by
Eurosceptics as proof of a plot to set up an EU army – a notion
that has been widely dismissed by diplomats in Brussels and
London. The warning of a European army was at the core of the
Brexit campaign and became a hot topic with both sides trading
blows over the truth of claims Brussels wanted to create a
NATO-style organization. America subsidises European defence by
vastly outspending all other NATO members and the EU believes a
stronger continental force would take the pressure off the
Pentagon.
Turkey to Replace UK in EU?
Kit Daniels - German chancellor Angel Merkel was pushing to
allow Turkey into the EU, which was one of the primary reasons
why the UK voted to leave the unelected bureaucracy; allowing
Turkey in the EU would give nearly 75 million Muslims freedom of
movement and jobs within member-states, and ISIS uses Turkey as
a home base. King Abdullah of Jordan even said Turkey was
already exporting ISIS-linked terrorists to Europe. “The fact
that terrorists are going to Europe is part of Turkish policy,”
the monarch said. “Turkey keeps on getting a slap on the hand,
but they are let off the hook.” And a Middle Eastern journalist,
Dr. Nafeez Ahmed, revealed the extent of Turkey’s dealings with
ISIS. “A senior Western official familiar with a large cache of
intelligence obtained this summer from a major raid on an ISIS
safehouse told the Guardian that “direct dealings between
Turkish officials and ranking ISIS members was now
‘undeniable,’” he reported in 2015. “The same official confirmed
that Turkey, a longstanding member of NATO, is not just
supporting ISIS, but also other jihadist groups, including Ahrar
al-Sham and Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria.”
Black box data points to fire on board EgyptAir MS804 flight
before crash
RT - Data retrieved from the crashed EgyptAir flight recorders
has confirmed reports suggesting that the plane caught on fire
before disappearing from radars and plunging into the
Mediterranean, killing 66 passengers in May, investigators said.
“Recorded data is showing consistency with ACARS [Aircraft
Communications Addressing and Reporting System] messages of
lavatory and avionics smoke,” the aircraft investigation
committee reported after it embarked on examining the contents
of one of two black boxes retrieved from the Mediterranean. The
heat damage incurred to the debris and the signs of soot on the
wreckage is another evidence in support of the fire on board
version, the committee added.
Russia prolongs Western food embargo until end of 2017
RT - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree that
prolongs economic sanctions on some Western products from August
of this year until the end of 2017. A ban on importing certain
agricultural produce, foods and raw materials from countries
that have sanctioned Russia was first introduced in the summer
of 2014. Moscow extended its counter measures in response to
anti-Russia sanctions in June last year. The latest decree,
aimed at "protecting Russia's national interests," followed
suggestions put forward by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in
late May. Medvedev tasked the government with preparing a
package of measures that would potentially be in force until
late 2017. The draft package was then introduced to the
president…. Despite a number of Western officials opposing an
economic stand-off with Russia and saying that it is their
economies that suffer, the EU is likely to prolong its sanctions
against Moscow through January 2017, Reuters reported last week,
citing diplomatic sources. The decision has yet to be formally
approved by the bloc's ministers in Brussels.
France wants sanctions on Russia lifted soon – foreign minister
RT - Sanctions against Russia should be lifted as soon as
possible, France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday
following a meeting with his Russian counterpart, while
insisting that implementation of the Minsk agreements still
remain key to the process…. The process of lifting the Western
sanctions on Russia is still related to Minsk agreements that
aim to put an end to the crisis in southeastern Ukraine, Ayrault
added, saying that “Russia should play a positive role” in their
implementation. Moscow and Paris have been closely working
together “in the Normandy format,” Russia’s Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov said after the meeting. The countries’ foreign
ministries have been “closely cooperating” and their aides have
been involved too, Russia’s top diplomat said. The Normandy
format includes Russia, France, Ukraine, and Germany. “The most
important condition for the progress, as stated in the Minsk
deal and in UN Security Council resolution, is establishment of
direct dialogue between Kiev and Donbass,” Lavrov stressed.
European Commission Extends Glyphosate License without Real
Restrictions
Sustainable Pulse - The unelected European Commission (EC) has
unilaterally extended the license of glyphosate until the end of
2017, despite the democratic European member states creating the
Great Glyphosate Rebellion by repeatedly not reaching an
agreement to renew the approval of the World’s most used
herbicide.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
America Provides Arms to Bahrain for Crackdowns on Pro-Democracy
Protesters
Sputnik News - The Obama administration’s troubling arms trade
and military relationship with the oppressive regime is being
questioned by the US Senate, but a change in policy is unlikely.
On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of US Senators called on the
State Department to reconsider military aid to Bahrain, citing
the deteriorating state of human rights in the country following
an escalation in crackdowns against pro-democracy demonstrations
that have been ongoing for five years. The letter, from Senators
Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and
Tim Kaine (D-VA) comes in the wake of a June 21 State Department
report to Congress that blasted the Bahraini monarchy for its
wanton aggression against peaceful civilians. "The lack of due
process and the criminalization of the exercise of free
expression continue to undermine the progress Bahrain has made
since 2011," said State Department spokesman John Kirby after
fielding questions about the United States’ stance towards the
Bahraini government.
Counterterrorism patrols are being installed at U.S. airports
nationwide
Daily Mail - Independence Day travel chaos looms: Airports ramp
up their security for holiday weekend after Istanbul attack as
State Department issues advisory for Americans abroad…Millions
of U.S. travelers flying during the busy Fourth of July holiday
weekend will face heightened security due to the deadly attacks
at Istanbul's main airport, officials said on Wednesday, adding
to potential delays...A terminal at John F. Kennedy
International Airport in New York was briefly evacuated on
Wednesday morning while police, including a bomb squad,
investigated a report of a suspicious package. The Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees operations
at the three major airports in the New York City area, said in a
statement that police had added 'high visibility patrols with
tactical weapons and equipment.' The agency said it had already
put in place counterterrorism patrols at various transportation
hubs in the region following the mass shooting in Orlando
earlier this month.
Texas Judge Uses Naturalization Ceremony to Bash Trump and Guns
Breitbart - Texas held the largest naturalization ceremony this
week that the Lone Star State’s capital has ever seen. The
ceremony was used to assault Donald Trump, the Second Amendment,
and the death penalty before 1,210 new U.S. citizens and their
families and friends. The Guest of Honor, Democrat Travis County
Judge Sarah Eckhardt told the participants flanked by voter
registration tables, “I encourage everyone to register to vote
and hopefully, not for that guy who is against immigrants.”…
Over 1,200 immigrants from 97 countries were sworn-in, according
to Time Warner Cable News in Austin. Federal district court
Judge Robert Pitman presided over the ceremony. The
naturalization ceremony was held just days after the U.S.
Supreme Court ruling that kept President Obama’s illegal
executive amnesty order from being implemented. The Court was
tied and a 4-4 vote left a lower appellate court decision
blocking the executive order, as reported by Breitbart Texas.
The State of Texas sued the federal government after the
issuance of the order and led a 26-state coalition against the
Obama Administration.
Video: Exclusive Investigation: “Refugee” men now “students” in
NB school, “hitting on 14-15 year old girls”
The Rebel - Now a parent in New Brunswick says there are migrant
"children" at her child's school as old as 22. These adult males
"with full beards" are "hitting on the 14-15 year old girls."
TheRebel media filed an Access to Information request to get to
the bottom of this -- and over 2000 documents came in, with more
on the way. Emails between teachers reveal what’s going on in
their classrooms. What they talk about will shock you: Bullying,
anti-semitism, sexual harassment, jokes about homemade bombs --
and refugee girls telling teachers they live in fear of their
brothers and fathers.
U.S. Abortion Rights Reaffirmed as Supreme Court Calls Texas
Clinic Closings Illegal
AllGov - Monday’s 5-3 ruling, striking down strict regulations
on Texas abortion clinic, is the court’s most significant
abortion ruling in more than 20 years and likely to reverberate
well beyond the state’s borders. Justice Breyer rejected
arguments that the Texas law was needed to safeguard women,
saying the state had “no significant health-related [abortion]
problem for the new law to cure.” He added that states may not
unduly burden the ability of women to exercise their rights
under Roe.
Another California School District Allows Guns on Campus
Breitbart - On Monday night, Kern High School District (KHSD)
board members voted unanimously to allow concealed carry permit
holders to brings guns on campus for self-defense. That means
concealed carry will be allowed on KHSD “campuses, district
property and school-sponsored events.” According to
Bakersfield.com, the campus carry policy is a “blanket” one,
allowing any concealed permit holder to carry as long they first
get permission from the KHSD superintendent. Concealed permit
holders who wish to carry on campus must submit an application
for permission to Superintendent Bryon Schaefer and, if
approved, they will have to re-apply for permission every two
years.
DARK Act Passes Senate Committee, A Coup For Big Ag Corporations
Brandon Turbeville - On Tuesday June 23rd, it was reported that
the Senate’s Agriculture Committee had reached a deal on GMO
food labeling and what is essentially a slightly modified
version of what clean food proponents have labeled the DARK Act
(Denying Americans the Right to Know Act). Senators,
corporations and the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association are
hailing the bill as the victory for the art of compromise…. The
new bill, however, will reaffirm the alleged and disproven
“scientific consensus” that GMOs are safe and allow food
companies to avoid any mention of the process of genetic
engineering on food packaging. GMO ingredients may be disclosed
through digital codes and smart phone apps as well as phone
numbers as opposed to on-package language. It would nullify the
Vermont law and other laws similar to it and provide exemptions
for food manufacturers that are considered very small, a
designation exploited by major agricultural companies on a daily
basis. The law also allows for the USDA to determine the amount
of GMOs that might be present in food before it is considered a
bioengineered food. Foods that have egg products, poultry and
meat as main ingredients will be exempted. There are no federal
penalties provided for violation of the labeling requirements.
FEMA Contractor: Unrest After 395% Food Price Spike Coming Soon
Activist Post - Preparations by various cogs of the national
security complex, including FEMA, indicate a coming worldwide
food shortage — and a resulting crisis marked by extreme civil
unrest around the globe. As Motherboard noted of two reports
published previously by CNA Corporation, but which largely
escaped attention, the world’s food supply could be insufficient
to maintain even current populations much further into the
future. And the crisis — which several factors indicate may
already be underway — may begin to worsen considerably as early
as 2020. Employing a desktop game simulation of the conditions
of a global food shortage, titled “Food Chain Reaction,” CNA’s
Institute for Public Research brought together “65 officials
from the US, Europe, Africa, India, Brazil, and key multilateral
and intergovernmental institutions,” Motherboard explained. And
the Institute, which oversaw the simulation, “primarily provides
scientific research services for the Department of Homeland
Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA].”
According to the website for Food Chain Reaction: A Global Food
Security Game — no commentary on Orwellian overtones needed —
the “simulation and exercise intended to improve understanding
of how governments, institutions, and private sector interests
might interact to address a crisis in the global food system,”
and took place in early November 2015.
Man faces eviction over flying American flag
American Mirror - Greeley resident Samuel Adams put an American
flag up on his apartment complex balcony, then the apartment
manager ordered him to take it down. The incident didn’t sit
well with Adams, whose father and grandfather served in the
Armed Forces, and he vented his frustrations in an online video
that’s since gone viral, the Greeley Tribune reports. In the
video, posted to Facebook and YouTube, Adams identified himself
as a resident of Sterling Heights Apartment complex in Greeley,
Colorado, and explained that he decorated his balcony in
anticipation of the July 4 holiday. The letter states that “it
has come to management’s attention that you have an American
flag on the balcony/patio area” in violation of a signed
“Community Policies” agreement. The letter quotes the policies,
which specifically state that “the use of balconies and patios
for the purpose of storage and/or laundry drying is prohibited.
Breezeways are not to be used as a patio or storage. Please do
not clutter with personal belongings. Balconies and patios must
be maintained in a neat, clean and attractive condition. Outdoor
and/or patio furniture is welcomed on your patio or balcony
only. Gasoline and other hazardous materials are not to be
stored in your apartment or storage area. Retain from having
dead plants, boxes or garbage on balcony/patios at any time.”
Apartment manager Pamela Buchanan told the Tribune in an email
that “Sterling Heights seeks to be fair to residents by limiting
displays as there could be signs, flags or decorations that may
be offensive and disruptive to the community.”
Fox targeted by FEC Dems in first-ever vote to punish debate
sponsorship
Washington Examiner - Finally making good on long-harbored anger
at conservative media, Democrats on the Federal Election
Commission voted in secret to punish Fox News' sponsorship of a
Republican presidential debate, using an obscure law to charge
the network with helping those on stage. It is the first time in
history that members of the FEC voted to punish a media outlet's
debate sponsorship, and it follows several years of Democratic
threats against conservative media and websites like the Drudge
Report. The punishment, however, was blocked by all three
Republicans on the commission, resulting in a 3-3 tie vote and
no action. A Republican FEC commissioner leading that fight, Lee
E. Goodman, revealed the vote to Secrets Wednesday and said the
official report of the May 26 executive vote will be released
Thursday.
Hillary Ignores Istanbul ISIS Attack to Focus on “Revenge Porn,”
“Islamophobia”
Kit Daniels - Despite every news station reporting on the
bombings, which killed 41 and injured 239, Clinton never
mentioned it in her speech which also centered on “revenge porn”
and “cyber stalking” as well as the aforementioned “Islamophobia.”
“I’ll do everything I can as president to figure out how we can
give victims like you tools and protect yourself and others,”
Clinton told the town hall audience in LA, and she didn’t mean
victims of terrorism. “I’ll look to all of you — bullying
online, revenge porn, cyber stalking — all too common, ruins
lives, leads people to lose confidence, depression, suicide.”
And while Trump was responding to the jihadi attack, Clinton was
denouncing him – not ISIS – by stating “I am not sympathetic to
the xenophobia, the misogyny, the homophobia, the Islamophobia…
or the sort of dog whistles that Trump uses to create that
fervor among a lot of his supporters.” Clinton finally released
a statement on Istanbul, albeit delayed by a few hours – much
like her response to the EgyptAir crash that was initially
blamed on terrorism.
Paul Nehlen Donates Rifles, Armor and Drone to Border Sheriffs,
Slams Paul Ryan
Breitbart - Paul Nehlen, the primary challenger to House Speaker
Paul Ryan, revealed exclusively to Breitbart Texas that he has
personally donated over $40,000 in urgently needed rifles, body
armor, and surveillance and night vision equipment to two Texas
border sheriffs departments that were left in dire need by the
Obama Administration and Congressional leaders. The donated
items were given to Hudspeth and Colberson counties, both rural
border counties that were forced to split $42,000 in
governmental funding to combat an increasingly violent conflict
between U.S. law enforcement agencies and Mexican transnational
criminal groups (cartels). Breitbart Texas obtained an exclusive
peak at Nehlen’s latest campaign ad for his fight with Paul Ryan
over Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District. Nehlen’s ad asserts
that Paul Ryan has failed to champion border security and
actually champions a borderless America.
US Marines denounce ‘crazy political correctness’ after order to
remove the word ‘man’ from job titles
The Telegraph - US Marines have been told the word “man” will be
removed from their job titles in an effort to make the service
more gender-neutral. The move sparked a row with some Marines
taking to social media to denounce “crazy and idiotic political
correctness”. A total of 19 of the 33 titles used in the Marines
Corps will be renamed, the majority of those having the word
“man” replaced by “Marine”. So a “basic infantryman” will now
become a “basic infantry Marine”, and an “amphibious assault
vehicle crewman” will soon be called an “amphibious assault
vehicle Marine”. It follows a six-month review ordered by Ray
Mabus, the US Naval Secretary, and an official announcement is
expected this week. One official told the Marine Corps Times:
"Names that were not changed, like rifleman, are steeped in
Marine Corps history and ethos. Things that were changed needed
to be updated." On social media Marines and former Marines
called the move "pointless" and "idiotic". One said: "We have
reached peak crazy." Another called it a "direct reflection on
society’s crybaby political correctness". When the review was
launched Secretary Mabus said: "As we achieve full integration
of the force this is an opportunity to update the position
titles and descriptions themselves to demonstrate, through this
language, that women are included."
Toyota recalls 3.37 million cars over airbag, emissions control
issues
Reuters - Japan's Toyota Motor Corp has recalled 3.37 million
cars worldwide over possible defects involving airbags and
emissions control units. The automaker on Wednesday said it was
recalling 2.87 million cars over a possible fault in emissions
control units. That followed an announcement late on Tuesday
that 1.43 million cars needed repairs over a separate issue
involving air bag inflators. About 930,000 cars are affected by
both potential defects, Toyota said. Because of that overlap, it
said the total number of vehicles recalled was 3.37 million. No
injuries have been linked to either issue. Toyota on Wednesday
said evaporative fuel emissions control units in models produced
from 2006 to 2015 including the Prius, Auris compact hatchback
and Corolla were prone to cracks, which could lead to fuel leaks
over time. Of the 2.87 million vehicles recalled due to the
emission control units, Toyota said 1.55 million are in Japan;
713,000 in Europe; 35,000 in China; and 568,000 in other areas.
Late on Tuesday it recalled Prius models and Lexus CT200h cars
made from 2010 to 2012 over air bag inflators that could have a
small crack in a weld, which could lead to the separation of the
inflator chambers. Of the 1.4 million vehicles recalled over the
air bag inflators, 482,000 are in the U.S. market.
NY Residents Test Off The Charts For Dangerous Drinking Water Toxin
Brandon Turbeville - In early June at least two residents in the small
upstate New York village, Hoosick Falls, were tested to have 50 times
the national average of the toxic chemical PFOA (perflurooctanoic acid).
Harold and Marion Stevens told News 10 ABC TV that their numbers were
159 and 104 mcg per liter respectively. The nationwide average readings
for PFOA are 2.08. While this may seem like a problem more specific to
Harold and Marion, the average reading for residents in Hoosick Falls is
23.5. “The average person up there is about 11 times the national
average,” said Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, a village representative.
The reasons why the tests were conducted in the first place is because
residents of Hoosick Falls launched their own effort to determine
whether or not something toxic was in the water after several of them
died of rare cancers. These residents suspected a nearby plastics
manufacturing site as being the most likely culprit. The chemical they
found in their water supply and the residents themselves – PFOA – has
been linked to both kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease and
ulcerative colitis as well as many other illnesses. But what is even
more concerning than the presence of PFOA in the water supply is that
both state and local officials knew about the situation a full year
before the federal Environmental Protection Agency warned residents to
stop drinking their water November 2015.
EPA pushing outdated, costly ethanol fuel
Kansas City Star - The Renewable Fuel Standard forces increasing volumes
of ethanol into the national fuel supply each year, regardless of
demand. Volume proposals recently announced by the Environmental
Protection Agency would add 700 million gallons of ethanol and other
biofuels into the nation’s fuel supply in 2017, potentially pushing
higher ethanol blends like E15 into the marketplace. E15 gasoline
contains 15 percent ethanol. It could be costly. About 90 percent of
vehicles on the road today were not designed to use E15. Extensive
testing shows that E15 can cause damage to engines and fuel systems not
covered by warranty. Higher ethanol content can also damage boats,
classic cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers and power equipment. Consumer
groups advise lower ethanol blends for these engines, but access to the
ethanol-free fuel many owners demand is jeopardized by ever-increasing
ethanol volume requirements. The problem could be even worse in Missouri
if Senate Bill 657 is implemented. This misguided policy would make
Missouri the only state that would put 100 percent of the liability for
damages from any legally approved petroleum product on consumers. Also,
continuing to increase ethanol volumes could drive up prices at the pump
— by 26 cents per gallon, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
* Related video: Warning Not to Use E15 Gas in Your Car: FOX Business
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
8 Organic Ways To Keep Your Garden Bug-Free (No. 4 Kills Them
Quick — But Is Safe For Humans!)
Off the Grid News - Conventional pesticides kill both good and
bad bugs, leaving no natural controls that keep pests in check.
As a result, pests are replaced with even tougher,
chemical-resistant super-pests, with no beneficial insects left
behind to maintain control…. 1. Beneficial insects. Such as
lacewings, ladybugs, ground beetles, pirate bugs, parasitic
wasps, praying mantis and hover-flies. Beneficial insects have
preferred targets, so a healthy diversity of helpful bugs will
help control a variety of pests, such as aphids, thrips, scale,
mites and whiteflies. 2. Beneficial plants. Many blooming plants
attract beneficial insects. For example, try alyssum, cosmos,
Shasta daisy, yarrow, calendula and coreopsis, as well as herbs
like dill, fennel, lemon balm, parsley and coriander. On the
other hand, some plants, most notably marigolds, may help deter
harmful pests. 3. Handpicking. Although it isn’t anybody’s
favorite job, picking pests by hand is a highly effective
natural pest control technique made easier with a good pair of
gardening gloves. Most pickable insects, including caterpillars,
slugs and tomato hornworms, are most active at dusk. 4.
Diatomaceous earth. This powdery substance is made of the
skeletal remains of tiny marine creatures known as diatoms. The
abrasive dust abrades the outer covering of soft-bodied pests
like potato beetles, squash bugs, slugs, snails, aphids,
whiteflies and others, causing the pest to dry out and die.
Although diatomaceous earth is safe, wear a dust mask because
the dust can irritate your lungs.
Malaria Vaccine Can Cause Negative 'Rebound Effect,' Study Says
Motherboard - A vaccine for malaria has been a long-time dream
for researchers, but it’s no easy feat. Now, a new study on our
most advanced vaccine shows its efficacy not only wanes, but it
can also make some kids get more bouts of malaria later in life.
In a seven-year follow up of the Phase II trial of the RTS,S
vaccine—the malaria vaccine that has been in development the
longest—researchers found the vaccine significantly dropped in
efficacy over time. In fact, for some areas with high rates of
malaria, the vaccine actually had a negative effect, according
to the paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine
Wednesday. “We don’t know the extent of the problem. I think it
raises a question that needs to be followed up on,” Dr. Philip
Bejon, Director of the Wellcome-KEMRI-Oxford Collaborative
Research Programme and co-author of the study, told me on the
phone from Kenya. Early in the trial, the vaccine was fairly
effective, with a 27 percent efficacy against a first episode of
malaria after vaccination. But over time, the efficacy waned: By
the end of seven years, the overall efficacy was 4.4 percent.
What’s more worrisome is that, in areas where trial participants
had high exposure to malaria, there was a negative effect: Those
vaccinated actually got more cases of malaria than the control
group by the end of the trial.
Every Cell in Your Bones Cries When You Neglect This Vital
Nutrient
Dr. Mercola - Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that influences
virtually every cell in your body, which is why maintaining a
healthy level is so important. Low vitamin D levels are widely
known to harm your bones, leading them to become thin, brittle,
soft or misshapen. But vitamin D is equally important for your
heart, brain, immune function and much more. For example,
there's an important connection between insufficient vitamin D
and insulin resistance and/or diabetes, both type 1 and type 2.
According to recent research, vitamin D deficiency affects your
glucose metabolism and may actually be more closely linked to
diabetes than obesity. According to recent research, vitamin D
deficiency affects your glucose metabolism and may actually be
more closely linked to diabetes than obesity. In a study of 118
people, those with low vitamin D levels were more likely to have
type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome, regardless
of their weight…. Certain drugs can raise your risk of metabolic
dysfunction. For example, statin drugs can trigger drug-induced
diabetes. Atypical antipsychotics such as quetiapine, a bipolar
medication, have also been linked to an increased risk of
hyperglycemia and diabetes. In the latter case, research
suggests vitamin D3 may counteract these effects.
Alzheimer’s Association says mercury fillings, aluminum, flu
shots and aspartame do not effect brain health
(NaturalHealth365) Many experts from the scientific and medical
communities have identified factors such as toxic mercury
fillings, daily exposure to aluminum, flu shots and aspartame as
among the many environmental toxins known to increase the risk
of Alzheimer’s disease. So, why does the Alzheimer’s Association
appear to be clueless?… The organization’s policies and public
statements relating to the dementia appear to be carefully
shaped by some of its largest monetary supporters. The
organization receives a substantial amount of donations from a
list of companies that reads like a “Who’s Who” of the
pharmaceutical industry. Rather than offering visitors the full
spectrum of available research, the association is taking
positions that favor wealthy pharmaceutical interests. As a
result of their activities: the unsuspecting general public
remains in the dark about the contributing factors for
Alzheimer’s – which leads to a greater risk of developing the
disease.
* Related:
The Alzheimer's and Dementia Summit is online and FREE from July
25 - August 1, 2016.
Wednesday - June
29, 2016 - Today in History:
1652 - Massachusetts declared itself an independent commonwealth.
1767 - The British Parliament approved the Townshend Revenue Acts. The
acts imposed import duties on glass, lead, paint, paper and tea shipped
to America.
1776 - The Virginia constitution was adopted and Patrick Henry was made
governor.
1804 - Privates John Collins and Hugh Hall of the Lewis and Clark
Expedition were found guilty by a court-martial consisting of members of
the Corps of Discovery for getting drunk on duty. Collins received 100
lashes on his back and Hall received 50.
1946 - British authorities arrested more than 2,700 Jews in Palestine in
an attempt to end alleged terrorism.
1950 - U.S. President Harry S. Truman authorized a sea blockade of
Korea.
1951 - The United States invited the Soviet Union to the Korean peace
talks on a ship in Wonson Harbor.
1953 - The Federal Highway Act authorized the construction of 42,500
miles of freeway from coast to coast.
1954 - The Atomic Energy Commission voted against reinstating Dr. J.
Robert Oppenheimer's access to classified information.
1955 - The Soviet Union sent tanks to Poznan, Poland, to put down
anti-Communist demonstrations.
1966 - The U.S. bombed fuel storage facilities near the North Vietnamese
cities of Hanoi and Haiphong.
1972 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty could
constitute "cruel and unusual punishment." The ruling prompted states to
revise their capital punishment laws.
2011 - The state of Nevada passed the first law that permitted the
operation of autonomous cars on public roads. The law went into effect
on March 1, 2012 and did not permit the use of the cars to the general
public. Google received the first self-driving vehicle license in the
U.S. on May 4, 2012 in Nevada.
Over 30 killed, 100+ injured as blasts rock Istanbul’s Ataturk
Airport
RT - At least 36 people have been killed and over 140 more
injured in two blasts that rocked Istanbul’s Ataturk airport,
according to Turkish officials. The explosions were reportedly
suicide bomb attacks. The blasts occurred in the airport’s
International Arrivals Terminal. A Turkish official confirmed to
Reuters that two explosions have hit the airport. According to
some Turkish media, the blasts were terrorist attacks targeting
two separate locations in the airport…. Islamic State might have
been behind the attack, a police source told Dogan news agency.
However, the Turkish authorities have not yet confirmed the
claim, saying it is too early to draw conclusions, a Turkish
official told Reuters. The deadly blasts coincide with the
second anniversary of the declaration of the so-called Caliphate
by the terror group.
* Related:
Blasts rock Istanbul’s largest airport Live updates
European Parliament Plans To Remove English As An Official
Language
Zero Hedge - Danuta Hubner, the head of the European
Parliament's Constitutional Afairs Committee (AFCO), warned
Monday that English will not be one of the European Union's
official languages after Britain leaves the EU. As Politico
reports, English is one of the EU's 24 official languages
because the UK identified it as its own official language,
Hubner said. But as soon as Britain completes the process to
leave the EU, English could lose its status…. As we reported,
during a Tuesday speech to EU lawmakers European Commission
President Jean-Claude Juncker didn't speak any English, instead
making the speech only in French and German. The games started
much earlier than Tuesday however. According to the WSJ, last
Friday and over the weekend, Juncker gave statements and
interviews only to German media, a decision that officials said
was deliberate. Then on Monday during the commission's daily
media briefing, chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas made his
opening statement at in French only, rather than the usual
French and English…. We suspect that these childish games will
continue from the elites who are lashing out in any way possible
after being defeated.
UK stripped of top ‘AAA’ credit rating after voting to quit EU
RT - International rating agencies Fitch, Moody’s and Standard
and Poor’s have all downgraded Britain, following the country’s
vote to leave the EU. S&P lowered the UK sovereign rating by two
notches - to AA from AAA, and maintained a negative outlook
which means further downgrades could follow in the coming
months. The EU referendum result could lead to "a deterioration
of the UK's economic performance, including its large financial
services sector,” said S&P. It described the choice to leave the
EU as a “seminal event” that would weaken the “predictability,
stability, and effectiveness” of UK policymaking.
Wake-Up Call America: Iceland's New President Has Never Been A
Politician
Zero Hedge - Following the resignation of Icleand’s former prime
minister, Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, who quit after being
implicated in fraud by the release of the Panama Papers in April
of 2016, the public has again grown impatient with the political
class. While another US presidential election enters the severe
mud-slinging phase, this time between a career politician with
an alleged lengthy criminal past, and an arrogant celebrity
businessman, Iceland has just demonstrated that a true political
outsider and common person can be elected to the office of
president. Guðni Jóhannesson, a professor of history, has just
been elected president of Iceland, ousting the 20 year
incumbent, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, with 39% of the popular vote.
The political newcomer also beat chief opponent, businesswoman
Halla Tómasdóttir, meaning that the office of president will not
be held by a career politician or businessperson. President
elect Jóhannesson, a scholastic expert on political history,
diplomacy and the Iceland constitution, has never been a member
of a political party, is a husband and father, and reportedly
chose to run for president after the release of the Panama
Papers,
Italian senate refuses to back automatic renewal of anti-Russian
sanctions
RT - The Upper House of the Italian Parliament has adopted a
resolution opposing the automatic renewal of anti-Russian
sanctions. The text of the resolution, proposed by the
opposition Northern League, was approved by a majority vote. The
resolution lists a set of recommendations to the Italian
government on key issues that will be raised at the EU summit on
June 28-29. Among other things it commits the government “to
argue that the sanctions against Russia will not be renewed
automatically,” according to the Italian Senate session records.
Drafted by the deputy head of the senate and national
coordinator of the Northern League, Roberto Calderoli, the
resolution also mentions migrants and refugees issue as well as
the situation around the UK leaving the EU following a
referendum.
Rio police protest unpaid wages as Olympics security collapse
looms
RT - Rio de Janeiro police rallied against the non-payment wages
and even a lack of basic supplies such as toilet paper on
Monday. The city, still awaiting a bailout by Brazil’s central
government, is to host the Olympics in August, yet its governor
says, “It could be a big failure.” Some 300 officers took to the
streets of Brazil’s second-largest city on Monday to demand
their salaries be paid by the government in full and to express
anger over unbearable environment at work where they experience
shortfall of such basics as water, ink or toilet paper. One
police officer at the rally, which had gathered next to the
city’s state assembly, told AFP that he had received only half
his pay last month, adding that he hasn’t been paid his overtime
“for five months either.” Apart from constant underpayment,
police are plagued by the lack of necessary equipment, such as
helicopters, fuel for cars as well as basic hygiene and office
supplies.
New doubts on Zika as cause of microcephaly
ScienceDaily - Brazil's microcephaly epidemic continues to pose
a mystery -- if Zika is the culprit, why are there no similar
epidemics in other countries also hit hard by the virus? In
Brazil, the microcephaly rate soared with more than 1,500
confirmed cases. But in Colombia, a recent study of nearly
12,000 pregnant women infected with Zika found zero microcephaly
cases. If Zika is to blame for microcephaly, where are the
missing cases?... The NECSI [New England Complex Systems
Institute] report analyzes the data and shows that the four
cases of Zika and microcephaly that have been observed till
April 28 are just what would be expected due to the background
rate -- of the 60,000 pregnancies about 20,000 births would
already be expected. The expected microcephaly rate for
countries with no reported infections of 2-in-10,000 births
gives exactly four cases.
Senate Democrats block Zika funding bill over GOP provisions
RT - A Republican bill that proposed $1.1 billion to counter the
Zika virus failed in the US Senate, as Democrats who opposed the
measure said the legislation was chocked full of unrelated
measures and funding restrictions for reproductive health
outlets. The bill failed on Tuesday in a nearly clean party-line
vote of 52-48, falling short of the 60 votes necessary for
passage. Democrats said they could not support the measure for
several, unrelated provisions, including limits to funding for
healthcare providers of birth control, as well as weakened
standards for pesticide use near water sources.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Mexican President Demands U.S. Merge With Mexico, Canada
Kit Daniels - In response to Brexit, Mexican President Enrique
Peña Nieto is calling for a EU-style “North American Union.”
Nieto is attending a North American leaders summit in Ottawa on
Wednesday to push the years-long, globalist proposal that would
combine the U.S., Mexico and Canada into a regional entity at
the expense of U.S. national sovereignty, which starts with
joint energy agreements. “The purpose of this visit is to renew
our bilateral relationship, to give it new life, to find ways to
advance the prosperity and competitiveness of North America,”
Nieto said, with emphasis added on North America.
Clinton Slams Benghazi Report As "Discredited, Conspiracy
Theories"
Zero Hedge - On Tuesday, after more than two years of work and
$7 million in expense, the House Select Committee on Benghazi
released a massive, 800-page report which according to The Hill,
is filled with new criticism of Hillary Clinton. The full report
can be found here, and the key highlights are as follows: What
has also emerged is a picture of the State Department eating up
valuable time by insisting that certain elements of the U.S.
military respond to Libya in civilian clothes and that it not
use vehicles with United States markings. Both restrictions
appear to have been concessions to the Libyan government that
did not want an identifiable U.S. military presence on the
streets of Libya. We will never know exactly how long these
conditions delayed the military response but that they were even
a part of the discussion is troubling. And at the same time the
State Department appeared to waste time on what our soldiers
would wear, it also appeared to waste time and focus on the
YouTube video that the administration would later blame,
falsely, for the attack. It has emerged that during an emergency
call at 7:30 p.m. on the night of the attack involving Secretary
Clinton and other high-level officials from the Department of
Defense, State Department, and CIA that a full five of the
eleven action items from the meeting related to the video.
* Related:
Judicial Watch Statement on House Benghazi Report
Seven Refugees With Active TB Sent to Idaho
Breitbart - This makes Idaho the seventh state to confirm to
Breitbart News that recently arrived refugees have been
diagnosed with active TB. The other states in which recently
arrived refugees have been diagnosed with active TB include:
Louisiana (twenty-one), Florida (eleven), Colorado, (ten),
Indiana (four), Kentucky (where nine were diagnosed in one
county), and North Dakota (where four refugees who resided in
the United States for less than five years were diagnosed in one
county). Idaho is one of fourteen states that have withdrawn
from the federal refugee resettlement program where the federal
government has hired a voluntary agency (VOLAG) to resettle
refugees under the statutorily questionable Wilson Fish
alternative program. In Idaho, the federal government has
contracted the Idaho Office for Refugees (IOR), a division of
the large non-profit known as Janus, to run the program. Janus
is one of the largest organizations within the lucrative and
politically connected refugee resettlement industry, which is
paid more than $1 billion per year by the federal government.
Jan Reeves, the man who runs IOR, was honored by the Obama
administration at the White House in 2013 as a “champion of
change.”
Border Agent: Vast Majority of Illegals Released into Country –
Disease or No Disease
Adan Salazar - Border agent Chris Cabrera, also vice president
of the National Border Patrol Council 3307, said the respiratory
disease tuberculosis is encountered “pretty regularly,” and that
little has been done to improve the quarantine areas where
illegals who harbor communicable diseases are detained. “We see
tuberculosis pretty regularly. Scabies – more often than not we
have large amounts of infectious diseases as far as scabies go,”
the border patrol council spokesperson stated. “And the
interesting part with that is it’s not actually seen on the body
during the infectious period. And so these people clear through
our system and then they go into the rest of the country with
that disease.” “We see a lot of measles, a lot of chickenpox a
lot of unidentified illnesses, a lot of lung infections that we
don’t even know what we have no idea what they are.” Cabrera had
claimed in 2014 that detainment facilities were lacking in
adequate medical resources, describing areas cordoning off sick
illegal immigrants as little more than a yellow strip of caution
tape.
Obama: “Trump Embodies Global Elites”
Steve Watson - Obama made the comments during an exchange with a
npr reporter. When asked if there is a correlation between the
rejection of globalism in Britain following the vote to leave
the EU and the rejection of the political establishment in the
US, a clearly frustrated Obama hit out at Trump. “Mr. Trump
embodies global elites and has taken full advantage of it his
entire life,” Obama said while sardonically chuckling to
himself. “So, he’s hardly a spokesperson — a legitimate
spokesperson — for a populist surge from working class people on
either side of the Atlantic.” Obama went on to say that some of
the concerns regarding a loss of national identity and control,
particularly where immigration is concerned are shared by people
in Britain and the US. However, he then blamed “xenophobia
that’s flashing up not just in Great Britain but throughout
Europe which has some parallels with what Mr Trump has been
trying to stir up here.” “The ability to tap into a fear that
people may have about losing control, and to offer some sort of
vague nostalgic feelings about how we’ll ‘make Britain great
again’ or ‘make America great again’, and the subtext for that
is somehow that a bunch of foreigners and funny looking people
are coming in and changing the basic character of the nation – I
think that some of that is out there.” Obama said. Obama added
that the declarations of globalism collapsing are premature.
Full transcript: Donald Trump's jobs plan speech
Politico - “ This wave of globalization has wiped out our middle
class. It doesn't have to be this way. We can turn it all around
- and we can turn it around fast. But if we're going to deliver
real change, we're going to have to reject the campaign of fear
and intimidation being pushed by powerful corporations, media
elites, and political dynasties. The people who rigged the
system for their benefit will do anything - and say anything -
to keep things exactly as they are. The people who rigged the
system are supporting Hillary Clinton because they know as long
as she is in charge nothing will ever change….”
* Related Video:
Full Speech: Donald Trump Delivers Economic Policy Speech in
Monessen, PA
Hillary Clinton’s Vow To College Grads: I’ll Outsource Your Jobs
To Foreign Graduates
Breitbart - Hillary Clinton today promised her donors to provide
Green Cards to an unlimited number of foreign white-collar
professionals, even though the predictable flood of
university-trained labor would drown the lifetime wages and
career prospects of her college-educated American supporters.
The open-borders promise to foreign graduates is posted at her
campaign, and is titled “Hillary Clinton’s Initiative on
Technology & Innovation.”… The promise was slammed by Sen. Jeff
Sessions, chairman of the Senate’s immigration panel. There are
more college graduates in the U.S. today than at any point in
our history, many have trouble finding meaningful work in their
field of study. Many are underemployed, taking jobs well below
their skill level simply to make ends meet … Yet, today,
candidate Hillary Clinton announced that if elected president,
she would ‘staple’ a green card to STEM master’s degrees and
PhDs of every graduate – enabling foreign students to get green
cards and thus be able to remain in the U.S. permanently and
take any job,” he said in a press release…. “ In contrast,
Donald Trump has promise to reform the main H-1B guest-worker
program so that companies are forced to hire Americans instead
of cheaper foreign college-graduates. Clinton’s foundation has
hired many foreign guest-workers instead of Americans.
Danger of Living Near Fracking Sites: High Toxic Levels Found in Humans
Sputnik News - The study was conducted in Pavillion, Wyoming, using
air-monitoring methods and biomonitoring techniques. "Many of those
chemicals were present in the participants' bodies at concentrations far
exceeding background averages in the US population," the authors of the
study, entitled "When the Wind Blows: Tracking Toxic Chemicals in Gas
Fields and Impacted Communities," reported. The study focused on BTEX
chemicals found in fracking operations, such as benzene, toluene,
ethylbenzene, and xylenes, which have been found to be harmful to humans
at any level…. The small town of Pavillion has only 250 residents and
sits in close proximity to roughly 180 drilling operations. In 2011, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warned that the operations may
have contaminated the town's water supply. Two years later, however, the
EPA handed their investigation over to the state of Wyoming, after
criticism from local energy industries and the state's fossil fuel
regulators. Once the investigation was in their hands, state regulators
stopped all research, despite an alert from the federal Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry that residents not use tap water for
drinking, cooking, or bathing.
US Customs Wants to Screen Social Media for National Security
Sputnik News - The agency wants to add a line to the form tourists must
submit, particularly for people who don’t have a visa and wish to stay
in the US for ninety days. This is being put forth as a national
security measure, and authorities proponents stress that while people
won’t be forced to disclose the information, not doing so could raise
red flags. Radio Sputnik speaks with Chief Victor Manjarrez Jr. of the
international security and intelligence consulting firm Command
Consulting Group about the implication of this proposed measure.
Manjarrez says that social media has become a new frontier for "homeland
security practitioners," noting that there are roughly 1.7 billion
active Facebook users worldwide and that these profiles function as a
kind of "digital footprint.”… When asked if he thought innocent people
will be affected by the new proposal, Manjarrez said he thinks it’s
inevitable. "I believe their applications may get delayed for a lengthy
time if their name matches that of someone on a terrorist watch list."
What happens in an internet second: 54,907 Google searches, 7,252
tweets, 125,406 YouTube video views and 2,501,018 emails sent
Daily Mail | The internet is a hectic place and at any given moment
millions of people are searching, tweeting and emailing all at once.
Internet Live Stats created a live map that shows exactly how much
activity is happening around the globe –down to the second. Every second
more than 54,000 Google searchers are conducted, 7,000 some Tweets are
shared and more than 2 million emails are sent -67 percent of which are
deemed spam. Click here to see the latest stats Although one second
doesn’t seem like much in the real world, it means quite a lot on the
internet. About 46.1 percent of the world is online, which is about 3.4
billion people – although there are still 4 billion people without
access to the internet.
Scientists link Tylenol PM, Benadryl and other common allergy
meds to dementia and permanent cognitive impairment
(NaturalNews) An antihistamine called diphenhydramine can boost
a person's risk of dementia and cause irreparable harm. This
drug causes drowsiness and can be found in popular sleep aids
like ZZZQuil, Advil PM, and Tylenol PM. Diphenhydramine is an
anticholinergic drug. Recently released research shows that
older adults who take anticholinergic drugs on a regular basis
performed worse on tests measuring important skills such as
short-term memory, problem solving, planning and verbal
reasoning. Even more disturbingly, MRI scans indicated that
these people's brains had actually shrunk, while PET scans
showed their brains were not as active. Moreover, people who
took anticholinergic drugs also showed lower glucose metabolism
levels in their brains overall and in the hippocampus in
particular, which is strongly tied to memory and one of the
first areas affected by Alzheimer’s…. A 2013 study out of the
Indiana University Center for Aging Research revealed that
strong anticholinergic drugs could lead to cognitive problems
after just 60 days.
8 Natural Herbs To Treat Mental Disorders: Stress, Anxiety,
Depression
Natural News Blogs - Approximately 14.8 million American adults
are affected yearly with such disorders. And instead of
resorting to sedative drugs that can reflect side effects such
as addiction, weight gain and frenzy behavior. Alternative
medicine offers you the same therapeutic properties using only
natural elements. Herbs to treat depression, stress and anxiety:
1 – St. John’s wort herb… Herbal experts consider it one of the
best anti-depressants and prescribed for the treatment of light
and moderate depression. 2 – Rhodiola Rosea or the Golden Root…
The roots are used in Scandinavia for the treatment of seasonal
depression, which is associated with the absence of sunny skies
as well as being an excellent stimulant and substitute for
anti-anxiety medication as it helps to regulate the production
of adrenaline and improving sleep in people who suffer from
insomnia. 3 – Valerian… You can use this herb to reduce tension
and anxiety by putting dried roots in boiling water and drink
from it twice a day. And you can also add boiled valerian to
your bath to release tension and stress. 4 – Ginseng… The
advantage of this plant is that it helps to increase the body’s
ability to cope with stress and fatigue of different situations
you encounter every day. To take advantage of its unique
properties, take ginseng on a daily basis, for example, in the
form of capsules containing 3 or 7 percent of the “ginsenoside”.
A Third of Cats Have This by Age 6, but You Likely Don't Know
Dr. Becker - Estimates are that about a third of adult cats have
arthritis by age 6, and up to 90 percent of kitties over the age of 12
have some degree of arthritis. Two major contributors to feline
arthritis are a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. To prevent or alleviate
arthritis in your cat, it’s important to keep him at a healthy weight,
feed a biologically appropriate diet, and insure he remains physically
active throughout his life. It’s also important to team up with an
integrative veterinarian who uses a multimodal approach to treat
arthritic patients. An arthritic cat’s symptoms should be routinely
monitored to insure the treatment protocol evolves according to the
changing needs of the patient.
Bystanders Smash Window to Rescue Dog from Hot Car (Video)
Dogington Post - It was a sunny Sunday in Katy, Texas, with temperatures
reaching into the low 90’s when concerned dog lovers gathered around a
car parked in Lowe’s home improvement store parking lot, worried for the
yellow Lab locked inside, panting heavily while the windows were rolled
all the way up. Store managers paged the dog’s owner several times,
hoping he’d come outside and end his dog’s suffering. But, after about
30 minutes with no response, the group outside collectively decided to
take matters into their own hands…. After smashing a rear window with a
tire iron, Lowe’s employees took the dog inside the store where he was
given water and reunited with his owner who said he was only in the car
for 20 minutes and was perfectly fine. Temperatures inside a car parked
in full sun on a hot day can reach dangerous, life-threatening levels
within only a few minutes…. Although in Texas dogs are considered
property and those bystanders risked facing criminal charges for their
part in rescuing the dog, the Harris County District Attorney’s office
says no charges will be filed.
Tuesday - June
28, 2016 - Today in History:
1776 - American Colonists repulsed a British sea
attack on Charleston, SC.
1778 - Mary "Molly Pitcher" Hays McCauley, wife of
an American artilleryman, carried water to the
soldiers during the Battle of Monmouth and,
supposedly, took her husband's place at his gun
after he was overcome with heat.
1894 - The U.S. Congress made Labor Day a U.S.
national holiday.
1902 - The U.S. Congress passed the Spooner bill, it
authorized a canal to be built across the isthmus of
Panama.
1919 - The Treaty of Versailles was signed ending
World War I exactly five years after it began. The
treaty also established the League of Nations.
1938 - The U.S. Congress created the Federal Housing
Administration (FHA) to insure construction loans.
1945 - U.S. General Douglas MacArthur announced the
end of Japanese resistance in the Philippines.
1949 - The last U.S. combat troops were called home
from Korea, leaving only 500 advisers.
1950 - North Korean forces captured Seoul, South
Korea.
1960 - In Cuba, Fidel Castro confiscated
American-owned oil refineries without compensation.
1965 - The first commercial satellite began
communications service. It was Early Bird (Intelsat
I).
1967 - Israel formally declared Jerusalem reunified
under its sovereignty following its capture of the
Arab sector in the June 1967 war.
1971 - The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the draft
evasion conviction of Muhammad Ali.
1972 - U.S. President Nixon announced that no new
draftees would be sent to Vietnam.
1976 - The first women entered the U.S. Air Force
Academy.
1978 - The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the medical
school at the University of California at Davis to
admit Allan Bakke. Bakke, a white man, argued he had
been a victim of reverse racial discrimination.
1996 - The Citadel voted to admit women, ending a
153-year-old men-only policy at the South Carolina
military school.
2000 - The U.S. Supreme Court declared that a
Nebraska law that outlawed "partial birth abortions"
was unconstitutional. About 30 U.S. states had
similar laws at the time of the ruling.
2000 - Six-year-old Elián González returned to Cuba
from the U.S. with his father. The child had been
the center of an international custody dispute.
2004 - The U.S. resumed diplomatic ties with Libya
after a 24-year break.
2004 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that enemy
combatants could challenge their detention in U.S.
Courts.
2005 - The final design for the "Freedom Tower" (One
World Trade Center) was formally unveiled.
2007 - The American bald eagle was removed from the
endangered species list.
2010 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that
Americans have the right to own a gun for
self-defense anywhere they live.
Erdogan apologizes to Putin over death of Russian pilot, calls
Russia ‘friend & strategic partner’
RT - Russian President Vladimir Putin has received a letter in
which his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized
for the death of the pilot who was killed when a Russian jet was
downed over the Syrian-Turkish border last November, the Kremlin
said.... Ankara claimed that it attacked the Russian bomber for
violating its airspace, but was never able to provide proof that
any wrongdoing took place.... Russia reacted strongly to the
incident, imposing a wave of sanctions against Turkey, which
affected trade, tourism, joint energy projects and other
areas.... The news of Erdogan’s apology had a positive effect on
Turkey’s currency. The Turkish lira rallied to 2.9330 from
2.9430 against the US dollar, Reuters reported.... [Former
Turkish Ambassador to the US] Osman Faruk Logoglu, said he would
not rule out the possibility that Erdogan had decided to mend
relations with Russia after taking advice from Washington.
“These decisions aren’t taken lightly… So, you listen to your
friends, including of course, the US and others,” he told RT.
Washington and NATO, in general, were “preoccupied with the
state of relations between Turkey and Russia,” fearing the it
may result in a military confrontation between the two states,
Logoglu said.
EU referendum: German and French to unveil European superstate
blueprint post-Brexit
Daily Express - The foreign ministers of France and Germany are
due to reveal a blueprint to effectively do away with individual
member states in what is being described as an “ultimatum”.
Under the radical proposals EU countries will lose the right to
have their own army, criminal law, taxation system or central
bank, with all those powers being transferred to Brussels.
Controversially member states would also lose what few controls
they have left over their own borders, including the procedure
for admitting and relocating refugees.... Meanwhile Lorenzo
Condign, the former director general of Italy’s treasury, has
said it is nearly impossible to see Europe opting for more
integration at such a time of upheaval.... But others see the
Brexit vote as an opportunity to push ahead with the European
elite’s long-cherished dream of creating a United States of
Europe. Spain’s foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo has
called for “more Europe” whilst Italy’s finance minister, Carlo
Padoan, is advocating a common budget for the eurozone states.
And Emmanuel Macron, France’s economy minister, wants to go even
further and set up a common eurozone treasury which would
oversee the permanent transfer of funds from wealthier northern
Europe to shore up Mediterranean economies.
Brexit loophole? MPs must still vote in order for Britain to
leave the EU, top lawyers say
The Independent - Parliament must still vote on a bill to allow
the UK to leave the European Union, leading lawyers have said.
Geoffrey Robertson QC, who founded the Doughty Street Chambers,
said the act which set up the referendum said “nothing” about
its impact, meaning it was “purely advisory”. ,A new bill to
repeal the 1972 European Communities Act that took Britain into
the EU must now be passed by parliament, he said, adding that
MPs might not be able to vote until November when the economic
effects of Brexit will be clearer. “Under our constitution,
speaking as a constitutional lawyer, sovereignty rests in what
we call the Queen in parliament,” he told The Independent. “It’s
the right of MPs alone to make or break laws, and the peers to
block them. So there’s no force whatsoever in the referendum
result. It’s entirely for MPs to decide.
Stocks, pound fall again due to U.K. vote uncertainty
Washington Times - U.S. stocks fell sharply in early trading
Monday following another slide in European markets as investors
grappled with the fallout of Britain’s vote to leave the
European Union. The British pound, which last week plunged to
its lowest level since 1985, continued to fall as traders
expected the British economy would take a hit.... European stock
markets added to their painful losses from Friday, when concern
over the vote outcome wiped out $2.1 trillion of stock value
from Hong Kong to London to New York.... Britain’s FTSE 100 was
down 2 percent, while Germany’s DAX was down 1.8 percent.
France’s CAC 40 was down 2.1 percent. Traders were watching for
more aftershocks as EU leaders press London to start the complex
process of leaving the 28-nation trading bloc. Prime Minister
David Cameron wants to wait several months.... In currency
markets, the euro weakened to $1.1006 from $1.1121 in Friday’s
trading, while the yen fell to 101.64 from 102.24. The British
pound slid to $1.3218 from $1.3638, despite the British
Treasury’s reassurances that the economy was strong enough to
withstand the uncertainty.
Earthquakes Cause Giant Natural Gas Field To Cut Production By
44%
OilPrice.com - The development came at the Groningen natgas
field in the Netherlands. The largest producing field in Western
Europe — and one of the world’s top 10 gas fields by size.
Groningen’s massive size has been an issue lately though, with
drawdown from the field having caused seismic events in the
areas above and surrounding the field.... The further cuts
announced Friday come after high-level Dutch regulatory body the
Council of State ordered the government to take more action in
protecting the public. With Minister Kamp saying that the new
production cap would “reduce safety risks to Groningen’s
residents and damage to buildings.” The Minister did say that
production could be increased above the quota in the event of
exceptionally cold weather or other instances of strict
necessity. But overall it appears that Groningen’s output is
going to be 44 percent lower than it was less than two years ago
— which could put upward pressure on prices in the European
market.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Bill Requiring Women to Register for the Draft Passes Senate
Military.com - A provision that would require women to register
for the military draft alongside men for the first time in
American history was included as part of the massive 2017
National Defense Authorization Act that passed the Senate
handily on Tuesday with an 85-13 vote.
The language requiring the draft for women was added in
committee and received little debate on the Senate floor, but
has created a firestorm of controversy on and off Capitol Hill.
It comes as the military services welcome women into previously
closed ground combat units in keeping with a mandate from
Defense Secretary Ash Carter given late last year.
UN Tank
Vehicles Spotted Moving Across U.S.: "Peace Keepers and
Potential for Civil Unrest"
Mac Slavo - Why are these MRAP tank-like vehicles, bearing
United Nations decals, being transported across the interior
United States? An explanation is not immediately apparent, there
have been many suggested explanations. As Brandon Turbeville
writes: For the past day or so, military convoys have been
witnessed traveling both North and South, with lines of
equipment ranging from Humvees, troop transport trucks, and
tankers to military personnel following the convoy in civilian
vehicles. Interestingly enough, many of the soldiers traveling
in the convoy were seen wearing helmets, an unusual procedure
for a simple convoy... the controversy brewing in the United
States elections and the potential for civil unrest, the dangers
of economic collapse, and the potential conflict with Russia are
all potentials for use of United Nations “peace keepers” inside
the United States as many have posited in the past as well as
for some type of “martial law” scenario..... One commenter on
The American Mirror, where the sightings were discussed, seems
certain that the explanation is nothing more than the shipment
of UN vehicles produced by military defense contractor BAE for
overseas shipment: They’re built at the BAE Systems plant in
York, PA. From there they carried down I-81 to I-77, and then
I-95 towards the port of Savannah to be shipped overseas.
Hundreds of police-issued weapons missing from Bay Area,
California agencies
Blacklisted News - In all, since 2010, at least 944 guns have
disappeared from police in the Bay Area and state and federal
agents across California — an average of one almost every other
day — and fewer than 20 percent have been recovered.... Stockton
police list two Colt assault rifles as lost, although Lt. Rodney
Rego said they were probably stolen when a police building being
closed was burglarized.... San Jose lost track of 324 guns, with
records showing the city’s lax controls failed to track whether
officers took their weapons with them when they retired.... San
Francisco, the region’s other large department, keeps documented
track of rifles and shotguns, a spokesman said, but not pistols.
Oakland police have historically “done a very poor job” of
keeping track of weapons, working with “a system that is really
lousy,” said Lt. Sekou Millington, commander of the department’s
training office.... A 2011 report showed 305 missing weapons,
and follow-ups have added to the total. Forty-seven have turned
up, but most are gone.
Case of possible misconduct by FBI in LaVoy Finicum shooting now
before grand jury
Oregon Live.- The federal investigation into an FBI agent's
apparent firing of gunshots at Robert "LaVoy" Finicum and the
alleged FBI tampering with evidence at the scene has gone to a
grand jury. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Gorder Jr. revealed
the grand jury hearing in court papers Thursday explaining the
government's desire to keep its memorandum about the inspector
general's investigation into the FBI's handling of the Jan. 26
shooting out of the hands of defense lawyers.... Late Wednesday,
[U.S. District Judge] Brown said she'd allow prosecutors to file
the memo under seal, but ruled it must be shared with defense
lawyers.... Finicum, the occupation spokesman, evaded the police
stop on U.S. 395 and swerved his truck into a snowbank to avoid
an FBI and state police roadblock. As he emerged from the truck,
two shots were fired from an FBI agent with the Hostage Rescue
Team, though none of the team members admitted to discharging
their firearms, the Deschutes County sheriff alleges. Oregon
investigators concluded that one agent fired twice at the truck,
hitting it in the roof and missing on the second shot. A state
trooper later described to investigators seeing two rifle
casings in the area where the agents were posted. Detectives
investigating didn't find the casings, police reports indicated.
Gun Rights SCOTUS Ruling Has Far Reaching Implications
Western Journalism - The case, Stephen Voisine vs. The United
States, “involves two plaintiffs who were convicted of
misdemeanor domestic violence crimes and were subsequently
denied their rights to own a firearm, although no one was
seriously injured during the commission of the crimes.... The
SCOTUS concluded individuals convicted of “reckless domestic
assault,” a misdemeanor, can now have their gun rights revoked
and receive a lifetime ban on ownership of firearms.... The
ruling passed with a 6-2 vote, with Justice Elena Kagan writing
the opinion of the court. “In sum, Congress’s definition of a
‘misdemeanor crime of violence’ contains no exclusion for
convictions based on reckless behavior.... Justice Thomas
offered the dissenting opinion. Thomas said a crime as simple as
texting while driving can now result in an assault conviction
which may now give way to a lifetime ban on that individual’s
right to own a gun. He wrote, “And while it may be true that
such incidents are rarely prosecuted, this decision leaves the
right to keep and bear arms up to the discretion of federal,
state and local prosecutors.”
Supreme Court Strikes Down Modest Abortion Restrictions
Breitbart - Pro-life supporters suffered their worst defeat in
many years on Monday at the U.S. Supreme Court in Whole Woman’s
Health v. Hellerstedt, as Justice Anthony Kennedy sided with
pro-abortion forces for the first time since 1992, striking down
Texas’s HB2 for violating abortion rights. HB2 is a statute
requiring abortion doctors in the Lone Star State to have
admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their
abortion clinic. The state law also requires every abortion
facility to meet the equipment and sanitation standards of an
ambulatory surgical center.
'Fear, American Style' preschoolers practicing lockdowns
MassPrivateI - A mother posted the above picture of her
three-year-old daughter practicing a lockdown at home.
Congratulations, DHS and police. You've done what no parent
could have dreamed of twenty years ago, you given kids new
nightmares. Instead of kids being afraid of the dark or monsters
under the bed, they're now afraid of being killed in school….
Teaching preschool kids and K-12 students to run and hide from
an active shooter (terrorist) has become a way of life and a
business…. Business are being paid to conduct active shooter
drills nationwide at schools, churches, hospitals, businesses,
sports stadiums etc. The ALICE Training Institute gets paid to
teach schools how to defend themselves against active shooters.
Sage Dynamics, ACT Cert and the Center Mass Group are just some
of the companies profiting from active shooter drills. Not to be
outdone, DHS and the FBI created a “Run, Hide, Fight” program
that teaches people how to defend themselves against active
shooters.
Hillary's Lead Over Trump Is Either 1% Or 12% Depending On Which
Poll You Believe
Zero Hedge - There have been two new polls released recently by
major media outlets, each with vastly different results.... An
ABC/Washington Post poll shows that Hillary Clinton has a
dominating 12 percentage point lead over Donald Trump among
registered voters. The poll was conducted June 20-23, and
included 836 registered voters.... On the other hand, the WSJ
ran a poll during the same time period, June 19-23, and after
asking 1,000 registered voters the outcome was significantly
different. The WSJ shows that Trump only trails Clinton by just
5 percentage points. The same polls shows, that if another third
party candidate is introduced, Trump is essentially tied with
Clinton.... Alas, how the candidates are faring thus far in the
view of the public depends on which media outlet one chooses to
believe, very much like the case of Brexit.
Video: Trump Chosen by God To Stop America's Destruction -
Astounding 2011 Prophecy
Rick Wiles interviews retired firefighter Mark Taylor who was
given this prophetic revelation in 2011. The Lord has chosen Mr.
Trump to bring America back from the brink of destruction. Mr.
Taylor wrote this amazing prophecy in 2011 giving us a glimpse
of what's to come and why all who attack Mr. Trump will fall by
the wayside. What's amazing is that this revelation has gone
forth to thousands. The wrath of God has come not for the people
of America but for the leaders of the establishment. The hour of
judgment is upon them. The light has begun to shine and the
darkness of evil will prevail no more.
* Related Article:
God’s Man: Firefighter shares 2011 vision of President Trump
East Coast states want to tax drivers’ travel, not their gas
The Washington Post - Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and
New Hampshire are proposing pilots to figure out how they might
charge motorists a fee for the miles they travel — rather than
taxing their gas, as state and federal officials do today....
Officials would stitch together the policies and technologies
needed to count the miles driven by 50 recruits from each of the
four states, including state legislators, transportation
officials or other willing guinea pigs. They would send out
“faux invoices” monthly. And they would collect the data that
legislatures — and the driving public — would require to decide
if the change makes sense.... The Mineta Transportation
Institute, which has polled the public on a variety of tax
questions for the past seven years, found that the mileage tax
was “unwaveringly unpopular.” In the latest survey, which
covered 1,500 people and was released this month, the institute
found that support ranged between 23 percent and 48 percent,
depending on how the question was framed.... Privacy remains a
key issue, including how the government can track miles traveled
without raising fears of snooping on where people are going.
Another Red Flag: Growth In Fast Food Visits Has Hit A Wall
Zero Hedge - Earlier this month, Nomura came out with fresh
downgrades to McDonald's, Domino's, Wendy's, and Papa John's....
Nomura downgraded those restaurants for precisely the same
reasons that market research firm NPD Group points out, which is
that the growth in visits to fast food restaurants has come to a
complete standstill.... CEO's are confirming the slowdown, as
Clifford Hudson, CEO of Sonic Corp. told investors that the
consumer as become "more guarded", and is even more sensitive to
prices than just a few months ago. Wendy's CEO reiterated
Hudson's comments, saying "the consumer does continue to be
cautious", adding that "it has been hard to really pinpoint
what's driving that." Well, allow us to take a shot at that one:
the economy has created low paying jobs during the "recovery",
and those lower wage workers are as cost burdened as ever as
they pay more and more of their income toward rent - that would
be a good place to begin to look for answers.
A history lesson about your Social Security card
Bookworm Pro News - Just in case some of you young
whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn’t know this. It’s easy
to check out, if you don’t believe it. Be sure and show it to
your family and friends. They need a little history lesson on
what’s what and it doesn’t matter whether you are Democrat or
Republican. Facts are Facts. Social Security Cards up until the
1980s expressly stated the number and card were not to be used
for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the United
States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway
and the NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION message was removed…. 1.) That
participation in the Program would be Completely voluntary [No
longer voluntary], 2.) That the participants would only have to
pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual Incomes into the
Program [Now 7.65% on the first $90,000, and 15% on the first
$90,000 if you’re self-employed], 3.) That the money the
participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible
from their income for tax purposes each year [No longer tax
deductible]…
TransCanada seeks $15B for rejection of Keystone pipeline
Washington Times - TransCanada Inc. filed a request for arbitration
Friday under the North American Free Trade Agreement, arguing that the
State Department’s actions led the company to believe the project would
win approval. Obama rejected a federal permit for the project in
November, saying it would have undercut the nation’s reputation as a
global leader on addressing climate change. The Calgary-based company
argues that it moved forward with the project under the assumption that
it would win approval, given numerous federal reviews and the
government’s approval of the original Keystone pipeline. It also alleges
that the administration rejected the project to bolster its
environmental credentials.... Pipeline opponents said the claim
highlights a problem with NAFTA as well as the proposed Tran-Pacific
Partnership, which Congress has yet to ratify. Both allow foreign
companies to challenge domestic laws in front of international
arbitration panels, and could be used to circumvent federal
environmental rules, said Michael Brune, the Sierra Club’s executive
director.
Microsoft Sued for $10,000 After Windows 10 Auto Update Renders Woman's
PC Unusable
Breitbart - [Teri] Goldstein won $10,000 in court from Microsoft after
attempts by customer support to fix the issue failed, and the debacle
has most likely given those opposed to the aggressive upgrade campaign a
satisfied grin. Since its debut to the public last year, everyone with a
Windows 7 or 8 operating system will have noticed that Microsoft really
wants you to upgrade to Windows 10. Though it’s a free update, Microsoft
haven’t reached the number of users that they want to boast on the new
system and have progressively made their upgrade notifications more
aggressive.... “My worry with this is that they are fundamentally
manipulating the trust Windows consumers will have in Windows Update
from this point going forward,” said analyst Wes Miller, who claims that
the aggressive update pushes are also a security hazard due to the
amount of people turning off all of their updates to avoid Windows 10.
Two Women Diagnosed with “Smartphone Blindness”
Natural Society - In the first case, a 22-year-old woman told her eye
doctor that she had trouble seeing out of her right eye at night while
she was in bed. This occurred multiple times a week for about a year.
Each time, she said she could only see the outlines of objects with her
right eye, although she didn’t have any problems with her left eye, and
both eyes worked just fine during the day. Her eye doctor examined her
and found that the woman’s vision was normal, and she didn’t have a
blood clot. The second case involves a 40-year-old woman who told
doctors she couldn’t see out of one eye when she woke up early in the
morning, before sunrise. The vision problem lasted about 15 minutes, and
happened off and on for about 6 months. Both doctors later learned the
women’s vision problems only occurred after they’d been using a
smartphone in bed. They hypothesized that, without realizing it, the
patients were looking at their phone with just 1 eye, with the other
blocked by a pillow while they were lying down.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
7 Versatile ‘Survival Trees’ Every Homesteader Should Plant
Off the Grid News - The seven trees below will grow across most
parts of North America, from the deep south to far north. It was
tough to pick just seven: 1. Apples. I continue to feel that
apples are one of the most versatile fruits we have. It’s not
just because they’re good to eat, but they offer the ability to
make apple cider and most significantly, apple cider vinegar.
Vinegar is a natural antiseptic and an excellent resource for
canning and food preservation…. 2. White willow. Willow bark has
a chemical substance called salicin in the inner bark, or xylem.
It’s the active ingredient in aspirin and has been infused in a
tea for centuries by the Chinese and Native Americans as a pain
reliever and fever reducer…. 3. Cherry. Cherry trees have both
nutritional and medicinal value. The cherries, whether sweet or
sour, can be used across a variety of recipes, from pies to
juice. Cherry juice has been shown in clinical studies to be a
powerful treatment for arthritic conditions, including gout…. 4.
Oak. Oak is a slow-growing tree but it has numerous benefits. As
firewood, it burns long and hot. Baby oak leaves are an
excellent addition to a salad or soup. The biggest additional
benefit may be the acorns. They are high in protein, calories
from fat – which is important in cold weather – and can be used
in a variety of ways, such as nutmeats in a meal or to make
flour.
North Carolina’s Whitewater Center Where Teen Contracted Deadly
Amoeba Closes
Natural Society - On June 19, 18-year-old Ohioan Lauren Seitz
went whitewater rafting with her church youth group. After her
boat capsized, she found herself underwater, where a
brain-eating amoeba made its way up her nose. This organism
ultimately killed Seitz by inducing a form of meningitis.
Originally, the facility where she contracted the amoeba did not
plan to shut its doors until they had done further
investigating, but now the U.S. National Whitewater Center in
Charlotte, North Carolina has indefinitely suspended all water
activities…. While it was previously thought to be a one in a
million occurrence, the center took measures to shut down when,
after taking 11 water samples, the amoeba Naegleria Fowleri was
present in all of them. The park, however, states that they use
ultraviolet radiation to disinfect the water before visitors are
allowed in it, which they thought would kill at least 99.9
percent of the bacteria…. This bacteria is typically found in
warm, freshwater lakes and is present during the summer. But it
can also breed in pipes, hot springs and pools that haven’t been
well maintained.
What Is This Petrochemical "Vitamin" Doing In Infant Brains?
Green Med Info - Concerning research reveals that the infant
brain is capable of absorbing and accumulating synthetic vitamin
E. This petrochemical derivative may have significant downstream
adverse effects on gene expression, immune function, and even
neurodevelopment. A provocative new study published in the
British Journal of Nutrition titled, “The naturally occurring α-tocopherol
stereoisomer RRR-α-tocopherol is predominant in the human infant
brain,” has found that the infant brain preferentially absorbs
and accumulates the natural form of vitamin E over the synthetic
form, but it does so incompletely. The researchers obtained
their findings analyzing both the total α-tocopherol (RRR-α-tocopherol/natural)
and α-tocopherol stereoisomers (8 different synthetic molecules)
in the frontal cortex (FC), hippocampus (HPC) and visual cortex
(VC) of infants (n 36) who died of sudden infant death syndrome
or other conditions.
Toxic dishwasher capsule loaded with chemicals that cause severe
respiratory issues and cancer
Living Traditionally -The contents of automatic dishwasher
detergents are highly toxic and if you read the label it is
clearly stated that it is “harmful if swallowed” and “burns skin
and throat.” These following ingredients have the potential to
cause long term health issues. Ammonia – Ammonia is a very
volatile chemical and can be to your health. Exposure to high
concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the
eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract and can result in
blindness, lung damage or death. Coal Tar Dyes – Coal tar dyes
are artificial coloring agents that are made from petroleum
distillates. Dyes in cleaning products can be absorbed through
the skin or ingested in the case of soap residue on dishes.
Cocamide dea – This is a chemically-modified form of coconut oil
used as a foaming agent. It’s also a possible carcinogen.
Chlorine bleach – Concentrated amounts of chlorine is a leading
ingredient of commercial dishwashing detergents. Due to the
concentration of this cleaning agent, it has also become the #1
cause of household poisoning. Each time you wash your dishes,
detergent residue is left on them, which accumulates with each
washing and is picked up next time you use the dish. Further,
when chlorine is released, it’s fumes are also released into the
air thus causing bronchial issues and asthma….
Italian City to Use Silent Fireworks Out of Respect for Animals
The Catington Post - Cats, dogs, and other animals living in the Italian
town of Collecchio will rest a little easier during city-wide
celebrations as the local government mandates that only silent fireworks
be used out of respect for the animals. More pets are lost, frightened,
and stressed during holidays and special events in which fireworks are
used in celebration than any other time of the year. When spooked by a
barrage of pops, bangs, and explosions, cats often bolt, running away to
escape the blasts. Each year, hundreds of pets never make it back home
again. That’s why the town of Collecchio in Italy’s Parma province have
passed new legislation that forces citizens to use silent fireworks as a
way to minimize the fear and trauma cats, dogs, and other animals
experience during the celebratory displays.
* Related:
Infographic: How to Keep Canines Safe For 4th of July Fireworks
Monday - June
27, 2016 - Today in History:
1844 - Mormon leader Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were killed by
a mob in Carthage, Ill.
1893 - The New York stock market crashed.
1944 - American forces completed their capture of the French port of
Cherbourg from the Germans three weeks after D-Day.
1957 - More than 500 people were killed when Hurricane Audrey slammed
through coastal Louisiana and Texas.
1969 - Patrons at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City's
Greenwich Village, clashed with police in an incident considered to be
the birth of the gay rights movement.
1972 The video game company Atari was founded by Nolan Bushnell and Ted
Dabney in Santa Clara, Calif.
1977 - Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, was named a
cardinal by Pope Paul VI.
1980 - President Jimmy Carter signed legislation reviving draft
registration.
1985 - Route 66, which originally stretched from Chicago to Santa
Monica, Calif., passed into history as officials decertified the road.
2005 - BTK serial killer Dennis Rader pleaded guilty to 10 murders that
spread fear across Wichita, Kan., beginning in the 1970s. (He later
received multiple life sentences.)
2005 - In Alaska's Denali National Park, a roughly 70-million year old
dinosaur track was discovered. The track was form a three-toed
Cretaceous period dinosaur.
2007 - Gordon Brown became British prime minister, succeeding Tony
Blair.
2011 - Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted by a federal
jury in Chicago of corruption. (He was later sentenced to 14 years in
prison.)
Russian State Duma Passes Total Ban on GMO Crops and Animals
Russia’s State Duma adopted Friday the third and final reading
of a government bill that introduces a total ban on the
cultivation and breeding in Russia of genetically modified (GM)
plants and animals, except for scientific research purpose. The
Sate Duma has also given the Russian Government the right to
prevent the import of products containing GMOs in to Russia, if
it is revealed that a specific GMO has a negative impact on
human health and/or the environment…. The additions in the final
bill included the introduction of fines that will be placed on
people or companies that violate the ban: a fine of
10,000-50,000 ($150-$750) rubles for individuals and
100,000-500,000 rubles for legal entities ($1,500-$7,500).
Brexit is just the beginning of a popular revolt against elites
MarketWatch - [PM David] Cameron will step down, as political
accountability in a parliamentary system demands. He
miscalculated and lost big time, staking his political future on
a Remain vote.... The nerve of the leader of one of the world’s
oldest democracies to actually let the voting public decide the
future of the nation.... he committed the unforgivable sin of
allowing democracy to function, a debate to be held, and voters
to choose. In doing so, Cameron has opened a Pandora’s box of
insurgency against the political elite in Europe. The British
vote in favor of leaving the EU will embolden euroskeptic forces
in other European countries to demand their own referendums or
to win sufficient support in their parliaments to break with
Brussels if it cannot implement fundamental reforms....
Financial markets are throwing a colossal tantrum because
investment banks and other big market players placed their
Brexit bets wrong. But investors had better get used to a lot of
volatility because Brexit is just the beginning. A restless,
beaten-down public has drawn the first blood in a rebellion
against a neoliberal economic orthodoxy committed to
globalization that has sucked the life out of whole communities
and blighted the future of a generation.
Brexit Panic-Monger Osborne To Make Statement "To Calm Markets"
Zero Hedge - Just days after spreading fear and panic over the
outcome of a Brexit vote, propangandizing that The UK will
sufffer "years of recession," UK Chancellor George Osborne will
issue a statement early on Monday morning in a bid to calm
markets after the surprise Brexit vote triggered turmoil on
Friday. A week ago, IBTimes reports, up to 800,000 jobs across
the UK could be axed if Britain broke away from the EU, George
Osborne has warned. The chancellor, speaking at home improvement
store B&Q, claimed a 'Leave' vote at the 23 June referendum
would almost immediately trigger a year-long "DIY recession"....
But now that it is done, Osborne is coming out to calm
markets.... A Treasury spokesman said: "The Chancellor will make
a statement to provide reassurance about financial and economic
stability in light of the referendum result and the actions that
he and the rest of the Government will be taking to protect the
national interest over the coming period."
‘Safe & secure’ platform? Brexit re-vote petition signed 3.5mn
times amid mass fraud probe
RT UK - Britain’s House of Commons Petition Committee announced
on Sunday that it has removed around 77,000 signatures that
authorities say were “added fraudulently,” and will continue to
monitor the platform for “suspicious activity.”... The Committee
emphasized that the website has not been “hacked,” and that it
is “working and secure.” “The petitions website has not been
hacked,” authorities said via Twitter. “Fraudulent signatures
have been and will continue to be removed, to ensure the site’s
integrity.” Authorities are urging the public to “properly” sign
the petition, which got over 3.5 million signatures over the
weekend, after 52 percent of Brits opted to leave the EU in a
referendum held Thursday.... It seems that officials have indeed
removed tens of thousands of fraudulent signatures from all
across the globe, including such bizarre places as North Korea
and the Vatican. But even without the overseas support, the
petition has still been signed by over 3.3 million alleged
Britons, according to the raw data. However, closer scrutiny of
the petition platform outlines a number of shortcomings in the
system, which lacks any filter of potentially-fraudulent signs.
It relies solely on the goodwill and honesty of the individual
filling out the form. No serious security checks were introduced
to confirm identity of the signatory.
Colombia, FARC to make cease-fire, disarmament official after
half-century civil war
Washington Times - While the agreement comes months after a
self-imposed March deadline set by the two sides, U.S. officials
hailed the development Wednesday as “an important step forward”
in the elusive effort to formally end a guerrilla war that has
killed more than 220,000 people, displaced millions of
Colombians over the past half-century and proved a source of
instability and drug trafficking across Latin America.... The
majority of Colombians alive today have never known their
country to be undivided and at peace.... In addition to
announcing a framework for the cease-fire, both sides said they
agreed on how the FARC’s estimated 7,000 fighters will
demobilize and hand over their weapons, as well as on the
security guarantees that will be provided to leftist activists
after the conflict ends.... The government and the rebels must
still settle on a mechanism for selecting judges who will
preside over special peace tribunals evaluating the war crimes
of guerrillas as well as the Colombian military.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
VIDEO: Judge Napolitano: “Nobody died until 05:13 in the
morning”
TRUNEWS - According to the FBI the supposed Orlando shooter,
Omar Mateen, entering the club around 02:00 AM and began his
killing spree. However, as Judge Andrew Napolitano points out in
this clip, that story — the story based off of the unredacted
FBI transcript released Monday — doesn’t just directly
contradict eye witness testimony, but the FBI’s official
narrative itself!… On June 20th, speaking as a guest on Fox
News’s talk show Outnumbered, Judge Napolitano says: “These are
in two parts, theres an actual transcript, and then theres a
summary of the rest. Here’s whats news in the summary, nobody
died until 05:13 in the morning, when the SWAT team entered,
prior to that no one had been killed. The 53 that were injured,
and the 49 that were murdered all met their fates at the time
of, and during, the police entry into the building.”
Texas, California secession movements boosted by Brexit
Washington Times - For pro-independence activists like
California’s Louis Marinelli, what makes the Brexit vote so
important is that it shows secession isn’t just a relic of the
19th century.... “And so now Californians who hear the word
‘secession,’ they don’t have to think of the Civil War any
more,” he said. “Now they have a modern day example of how it
can happen peacefully and legally and constitutionally, and
that’s the path and process we intend to mimic here in
California.”.... Within hours of the Brexit vote, Texas
independence activist Daniel Miller was flooded with messages
from people in other states with one question: How can we do
this?.... Mr. Miller took advantage of the social-media blitz to
call for Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to “support a similar vote
for Texans.” An online sign-up sheet on the Texas Nationalist
Movement website asking voters to pledge to support a state
independence referendum has grown by about 3,000 signatures for
a total of more than 264,000 since the Brexit election.
Stabbings In Sacramento as Neo-Nazis, 'Anti-Fa' [Anti-Fascist]
Clash at Capitol
Breitbart - Seven people were sent to the hospital with stab
wounds, two with life-threatening injuries, on Sunday afternoon
as Black Bloc anarchists attacked and fought with white
supremacist groups outside the state Capitol in Sacramento....
The Black Bloc activists were part of a militant leftist
“anti-fascist” group,”Antifa Sacramento.” The right-wing
extremists were members of the Traditionalist Worker Party and
the Golden State Skinheads, and were holding a permitted
rally.... The Los Angeles Times also reported: Some protesters
came dressed for battle, several seen carrying wooden batons and
some wearing plastic shields. “They came ready to fight,” said
Cooper.... Members of “anti-fascist” groups like the ones who
attacked protestors have also been been responsible for a number
of attacks around the country, including attacks on Donald Trump
supporters at recent rallies. Some of these attacks follow
hyperbolic allegations by some on the left (and even some on the
right, such as Glenn Beck) that Donald Trump is “Hitler.”....
Although the fringe Traditionalist Workers Party group claims to
be against leftism, its political agenda shares many
similarities with the far left, including its avowed support for
socialism and its hostility to Israel and “Zionists.”
Video: The Simpsons PREDICTED a Donald Trump presidency
The Simpsons PREDICTED a Donald Trump presidency... and it
didn't end well: Time travel episode from 2000 featured 'broke'
nation reliant on aid from CHINA. Donald Trump's bid for the
White House and ascendancy in the polls has surprised many - but
The Simpsons called it 15 years ago. The cartoon foretold a
Trump presidency in a surreal episode where Bart is given a
window into the future - and found a country brought to its
knees by financial mismanagement and a crime wave ushered in by
The Donald.
2016 Presidential Candidate Found Dead At Cleveland Motel
Western Journalism - A “fearless advocate for liberty” who
sought the Libertarian Party’s nomination for president has been
found dead. Dr. Marc A. Feldman, 56, of Cleveland, was found
dead Wednesday at the Americas Best Value Inn near the Cleveland
Hopkins International Airport. No official cause of death has
been released. Feldman lost the Libertarian nomination in May to
former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson. “How do you make a miracle
happen?” he said once. “Start by asking for what you want, and
see what you get. Sometimes you’re not given what you ask for,
you’re given what you need.” He called himself the “No fear”
candidate. At the Libertarian convention, he rapped his
concluding statement. “I’m that be what you want to be
Libertarian,” he began. “That Muslim Libertarian, that Jew
Libertarian, the Christian, Atheist, Hin-DU Libertarian.”
Harold Schultz identified as Iwo Jima flag-bearer after
three-month investigation
Washington Times - For over 70 years, the image of six Marines
raising the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi, high above the beaches
and jungles of Iwo Jima, stood an icon to generations of
Americans to the struggle, sacrifice and ultimate victory over
Japan in World War II. It was likely no different for the family
of Pfc. 1st Class Harold Schultz, a young Marine who decades
earlier also fought on that Pacific island dot, the site of some
of the war’s bloodiest fighting in which 26,000 Marines were
wounded or killed over a month in the spring of 1945. But it
wasn’t until Thursday that Schultz’s relatives were told
officially that their family played a much bigger role than
they, or the Marine Corps and Pentagon, had known in producing
that Pulitzer Prize-winning image that came to define the
American wartime experience in the Pacific. After a three-month
investigation into the Iwo Jima photograph, ordered by Marine
Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller, service officials
determined that Schultz was the sixth of the original
flag-bearers, not Navy Corpsman John Bradley, as The Associated
Press initially reported and had become official history
since.... But a team of researchers and historians working on a
documentary about Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal,
the man who took the picture, ensured that Schultz would take
his spot in American history and Marine Corps lore. Researchers
working on the documentary began to notice several discrepancies
in the pictures Rosenthal took of the flag-raising that day.
750,000 Californians Past The Age Of 65 Are Still Working
Zero Hedge - ... more than 740,000 California residents between
ages 65 and 74 are employed or looking for work, roughly double
the number from 15 years ago, according to a Sacramento Bee
review of the latest census data. The percent of Californians
ages 65-69 who are still working or looking for work has
increased dramatically since 1990, and still remains well over
30%. The percent of residents between 70-74 who are still
working or looking for work has trended up since 1990 as well,
although much more gradually, and remains just under 20%. Not
surprisingly, seniors in the Bay Area (due to the tech bubble
...) and Los Angeles metro area are most likely to work past 65.
Perhaps the most interesting thing from the Bee's report is that
the jobs that seniors are holding are traditionally higher
paying, which implies the cost of living is so horrendous in
California that literally everyone is struggling to make ends
meet, let alone get ahead in order to retire. However, older
workers are still performing jobs that younger workers are more
likely to perform, which again is a red flag that older workers
are doing anything they can in order to continue to earn money
in what is considered retirement age. It is notable that these
types of jobs are lower paying jobs, which one can infer the
severity of older workers needs to make ends meet.
Missouri is installing solar power grabbing pavement on Route 66
TheNextWeb - Part of its ‘Road to Tomorrow Initiative,’ Missouri’s
Department of Transportation is teaming with Solar Roadways, an
Idaho-based startup... to cover an undetermined length of Historic Route
66 with road-ready solar panels. [initiative leader Tom] Blair also told
The [Kansas City] Star that the bulk of its efforts will be crowdfunded.
After receiving a $100,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration
to build a prototype, and a pair of $750,000 research grants from the US
Department of Transportation, the group has raised more than $2 million
of its own to complete the project through a crowdfunding campaign on
Indiegogo. Solar Roadways’ panels are tempered safety glass that are as
strong as they are efficient. In addition to harnessing energy from the
sun, they also come with LED lighting to effectively replace road lines
and signage. While obviously more expensive to install upfront, the
panels do have the benefit of being completely modular, which would
allow for quick and cheap repairs by just swapping out the broken panels
rather than re-paving entire stretches of road.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
The Great Lakes Water Wars Have Begun After U.S. Officials
Approve Drawing 30 Million Liters Per Day
Natural Blaze - A group of eight U.S. officials have voted to
allow a Wisconsin-based region to begin drawing 30 million
liters of water a day from lake Michigan for drinking water. A
Canadian Mayor has spoken out on the recently-approved plan
calling the recent decision “the end of the Great Lakes as we
know them.” Last year, the city of Waukesha in Wisconsin had
asked the Great Lake states for permission to divert water from
Lake Michigan because its own aquifer is running low and the
water is contaminated with high levels of naturally occurring
cancer-causing radium. A panel representing governors of the
eight states adjoining the Great Lakes unanimously approved a
proposal from Waukesha, which is under a court order to find a
solution to the radium contamination of its groundwater wells.
The city says the project will cost over $200 million for
engineering studies, pipelines and other infrastructure.
Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism, Pediatricians Do
Health Impact News - I really wouldn’t have believed this if I
hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. Did you know that Pediatricians
actually get cash bonuses from insurance companies for having
fully vaccinated patients in their practice? Here’s a screenshot
of a 2016 “Provider Incentive Practice” explaining to Doctors a
simple incentive… Blue Cross will give your pediatrician $400
per child that has received 100% of the 25 vaccines they
recommend by the age of 2. Incredible!!! Pediatric practices,
according to this study, average 1,546 patients per doctor. This
means that a 5-doctor pediatric practice, if they reach 100%
compliance on vaccinations, will receive a bonus of just over
$3,000,000 (that’s not a typo, my math is right, that’s $3
million bucks!!). Does your pediatrician have a conflict in
considering the benefits and risks of vaccines?
Couple Sentenced to Prison for Seeking Natural Remedies for
Son’s Illness
Natural Blaze - Should the parents of a child who sought out a
homeopathic treatment instead of traditional medicine for their
son’s illness be punished if that treatment fails? An Alberta
court says, ‘yes.’ Judge Rodney Jerke sentenced David Stephan to
four months in prison this week and his wife Collet Stephan to
three months of house arrest. The couple was found ‘guilty’
earlier this year of failing to provide the necessaries of life
to their 19-month-old son, Ezekiel, who contracted meningitis in
2012. According to court documents, when their son became ill,
the Stephans tried to treat Ezekiel with natural remedies of hot
peppers, garlic, onions, and horseradish. Not until Ezekiel
stopped breathing did the Stephans seek out traditional medical
help by dialing 9-1-1. Only because the treatment, however
ill-advised, failed, did the parents receive any attention. The
troublesome aspect about this ruling and subsequent sentencing
is had Ezekiel died from meningitis while undergoing care from
traditional medical doctors, he would have never received
attention from law enforcement. Also, the couple would have been
given sympathy and remorse from the community instead of hate
and contempt.
Friday - June
24, 2016 - Today in History:
1664 - New Jersey, named after the Isle of Jersey, was founded.
1675 - King Philip's War began when Indians massacre colonists at
Swansee, Plymouth colony.
1717 - The Freemasons were founded in London.
1861 - Federal gunboats attacked Confederate batteries at Mathias Point,
Virginia.
1862 - U.S. intervention saved the British and French at the Dagu forts
in China.
1896 - Booker T. Washington became the first African American to receive
an honorary MA degree from Howard University.
1908 - Former President Grover Cleveland died in Princeton, N.J., at age
71.
1910 - The Japanese army invaded Korea.
1940 - TV cameras were used for the first time in a political convention
as the Republicans convened in Philadelphia, PA.
1941 - U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt pledged all possible support to
the Soviet Union.
1948 - The Soviet Union began the Berlin Blockade.
1955 - Soviet MIG's down a U.S. Navy patrol plane over the Bering
Strait.
1964 - The Federal Trade Commission announced that starting in 1965,
cigarette manufactures would be required to include warnings on their
packaging about the harmful effects of smoking.
1970 - The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to repeal the Gulf of Tonkin
Resolution.
1982 - The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that no president could be sued for
damages connected with actions taken while serving as President of the
United States.
1986 - The Empire State Building was designated a National Historic
Landmark.
1997 - The U.S. Air Force released a report titled "The Roswell Report,
Case Closed" that dismissed the claims that an alien spacecraft had
crashed in Roswell, NM, in 1947.
2002 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juries, not judges, must make
the decision to give a convicted killer the death penalty.
Brexit: UK votes to leave EU in historic referendum
BBC - The UK has voted by 52% to 48% to leave the European Union
after 43 years in an historic referendum. London and Scotland
voted strongly to stay in the EU but the remain vote has been
undermined by poor results in the north of England…. The
referendum turnout was 71.8% - with more than 30 million people
voting - the highest turnout at a UK election since 1992. Wales
and the majority of England outside London voted in large
numbers for Brexit…. Britain would be the first country to leave
the EU since its formation - but a leave vote will not
immediately mean Britain ceases to be a member of the 28-nation
bloc. That process could take a minimum of two years, with Leave
campaigners suggesting during the referendum campaign that it
should not be completed until 2020 - the date of the next
scheduled general election.
Brexit Infects Global Markets as Unprecedented Moves Accumulate
Bloomberg - Global markets buckled as Britain’s vote on European
Union membership infected every asset class. The pound plunged
by a record and the euro slid by the most since it was
introduced in 1999 as the BBC projected a victory for the
"Leave" campaign with most votes counted in Britain’s referendum
on membership of the European Union. South Africa’s rand led
slides among the currencies of commodity-exporting nations as
oil sank to about $47 a barrel and industrial metals slumped.
The yen surged and gold soared with U.S. Treasuries as investors
piled into haven assets. Futures on the FTSE 100 Index plunged
with S&P 500 Index contracts as Asian stocks dropped by the most
in 10 months.
Auxit, Frexit, Nexit? EU countries may hold referendums
following 'Brexit' vote
RT - A new survey has found that 40 percent of Austrians want
their own referendum on EU membership. The survey, conducted by
Peter Hajek Opinion Strategies, found that 38 percent of
respondents were in favor of an ‘Auxit.’… Polls recently
conducted in Italy, France, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands,
Czech Republic and Hungary also showed that these countries
could follow Britain if it succeeds in leaving the EU.
Vote Fraud? Brexit Supporters Fear Ballots Marked in Pencil
Could be Changed
Paul Joseph Watson - Brexit supporters are worried that ballot
papers could be compromised in today’s huge EU referendum vote
because voting booths only provide pencils. Numerous Brits took
to Twitter to express concerns that votes could be changed by
corrupt electoral staff. Reports are already coming in that
voters are being told they can’t use their own pens and must use
a pencil to vote, although the Electoral Reform Society has said
that voters can bring their own pen.
Proposed ‘EU Army’ Hidden From British Voters Until After Brexit
Clifford Cunningham - The Global Strategy on Foreign and
Security Policy, which envisions the formation of new European
military and operational structures, was drafted by Federica
Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy. While the plan clearly lays the
framework for a European Union army, details will not be
released publicly until the day after the Brexit vote so as not
to inflame public opinion in the UK. Only a small group of EU
political and security committee ambassadors, who are required
to leave their electronic devices outside a sealed room, can
read the proposal; however, they are allowed to take and remove
handwritten notes. Despite being dismissed by many, including
former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrat) who
referred to the idea as “dangerous fantasy,” numerous high-level
officials in the EU have suggested the idea in the past.
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission and a
former Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Luxembourg, is a
long-time advocate for the creation of an EU army to combat the
perceived threat to Europe from Russia.
Suicide belt, grenade found near German cinema complex attacker
- Bild
RT - An armed man who was gunned down by the police at a cinema
complex in Viernheim, western Germany, had a hand grenade and
was wearing a suicide belt, German Bild newspaper reports.
According to the paper, the grenade was discovered by the police
after the incident. An eyewitness told Bild that the attacker
was speaking in “broken German language.” The police said that
they currently have no leads linking the man to radical Islam,
and other motives are being looked into. A masked man entered
the cinema at midday on Thursday. According to initial reports,
he was carrying a rifle and had cartridge belt around his
shoulder…. One of the hostages, Almir H., 16, told the paper
that the gunman ordered them to lie down on the floor in the
toilet, threatening to shoot if the hostages didn’t obey his
command. When he ran out of the restroom “there were apparently
four shots, but I do not know whether that is true,” he said.
Initial reports claimed that 20 to 50 people were injured in the
incident. But police later said that all hostages were released
unharmed after the perpetrator was neutralized.
* Related:
Attacker dead after hostage situation at German movie theater
Russia wants UNSC to pressure Turkey to respect Syria’s
sovereignty & borders
RT - Russia expects members of the UN Security Council to
investigate reports of Turkish fortifications on Syrian
territory, undermining efforts to settle the conflict, and
pressure Ankara to seal the border and respect the sovereignty
of its neighbor. Addressing the United Nations Security Council
(UNSC) back on June 8, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin urged
the body to check reports that Turkey is fortifying its
positions on the territory of Syria with “reinforced concrete”
structures. More than two weeks later, Deputy Permanent
Representative to the UN Vladimir Safronkov, once again brought
up the issue of “Turkish illegal wall construction on Syrian
territory.”
U.N. Bows To Saudi Financial Threats, Removes KSA From Child
Killers List
Brandon Turbeville - After numerous reports began surfacing
regarding Saudi cruelty and the oppressive Saudi state, and
after a massive torrent of coverage coming from the alternative
press, the crimes of the Saudi monarchy could no longer be
completely ignored; a fact which has highlighted not only the
horrors of Saudi leadership but the hypocrisy of the West. Thus,
after a significant exposé of Saudi war crimes and human rights
violations at home and abroad, even the United Nations could no
longer remain silent. As a result, the U.N.’s “Children And
Armed Conflict” report for 2015 listed Saudi Arabia and its
anti-Houthi coalition in Yemen as “parties that kill or maim
children” and “parties that engage in attacks on schools and/or
hospitals.” The report’s findings were based on the work of U.N.
researchers stationed in Yemen who attributed 60 percent of
killed and injured children in that country to the bombs dropped
by the Saudi coalition. Yet Saudi Arabia’s name was eventually
struck off the list provided in the report less than a week
after it was released, a decision that was made by U.N.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The reason for Ki-moon’s
“revision” of the report was simple – he was threatened with the
loss of funds being provided for U.N. relief efforts in Syria,
Sudan, and Palestine if he did not remove Saudi Arabia from the
list of child killers.
Chinese Bankruptcies Surge More Than 50% In Q1; Worse To Come
Zero Hedge - Chinese bankruptcies have surged this year "as the
government uses the legal system to deal with “zombie” companies
and reduce industrial overcapacity as part of a broader effort
to restructure the economy." In just the first quarter of 2016,
Chinese courts have accepted 1,028 bankruptcy cases, up a
whopping 52.5% from a year earlier, according to the Supreme
People’s Court.
Israel blames Palestinians for water shortages in West Bank
RT - Israeli authorities blame Palestinians’ unwillingness to
upgrade aging infrastructure as the primary reason for increased
water shortages in the West Bank. Palestinians accuse their
neighbors of blackmailing and holding water supplies hostage.
Since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan,
Palestinian villages east of Nablus have been suffering from a
water shortage amid soaring summer heat. The Palestinian Water
Authority’s inability to set up additional water infrastructure
in the West Bank “has led to the old and limited pipes being
unable to transfer all the water needed in the region,” said
Israel Water Authority spokesman Uri Schor. A senior Palestinian
Water Authority official rejected the claim, saying that Tel
Aviv is “misleading the public.” Locals living in the West Bank
blame the Israeli water company Mekorot for cutting water
supplies, which the utility company has denied doing.
Palestinians at the same time argue that quota for neighboring
Jewish settlements located in the West Bank is much higher.
Europe's robots to become 'electronic persons' under draft plan
(Reuters) - Europe's growing army of robot workers could be
classed as "electronic persons" and their owners liable to
paying social security for them if the European Union adopts a
draft plan to address the realities of a new industrial
revolution. Robots are being deployed in ever-greater numbers in
factories and also taking on tasks such as personal care or
surgery, raising fears over unemployment, wealth inequality and
alienation. Their growing intelligence, pervasiveness and
autonomy requires rethinking everything from taxation to legal
liability, a draft European Parliament motion, dated May 31,
suggests…. The draft motion called on the European Commission to
consider "that at least the most sophisticated autonomous robots
could be established as having the status of electronic persons
with specific rights and obligations". It also suggested the
creation of a register for smart autonomous robots, which would
link each one to funds established to cover its legal
liabilities.… The draft motion, drawn up by the European
parliament's committee on legal affairs also said organizations
should have to declare savings they made in social security
contributions by using robotics instead of people, for tax
purposes…. The motion faces an uphill battle to win backing from
the various political blocks in European Parliament. Even if it
did get enough support to pass, it would be a non-binding
resolution as the Parliament lacks the authority to propose
legislation.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Obama immigration plan blocked by 4-4 tie at Supreme Court
(AP) - The Supreme Court deadlocked Thursday on President Barack
Obama's immigration plan that sought to shield millions living
in the U.S. illegally from deportation, effectively killing the
plan for the rest of his presidency. The outcome underscores
that the direction of U.S. immigration policy will be determined
in large part by this fall's presidential election, a campaign
in which immigration already has played an outsized role. People
who would have benefited from Obama's plan face no imminent
threat of deportation because Congress has provided money to
deal with only a small percentage of people who live in the
country illegally, and the president retains ample discretion to
decide whom to deport. But Obama's effort to expand that
protection to many others is effectively stymied.
New Evidence of Multiple Participants in Orlando Shooting
Kurt Nimmo - On Wednesday, Catherine Herridge told the “Kelly
File” audio captured on cell phones during the attack reveals
Mateen was conversing with one or more people about tactics and
he “was not talking to 911.” On Wednesday, Catherine Herridge
told the “Kelly File” audio captured on cell phones during the
attack reveals Mateen was conversing with one or more people
about tactics and he “was not talking to 911.” “The eyewitness
said that the shooter made mention that he was the ‘fourth
shooter’ and that there were ‘three others,’ ‘snipers,’ along
with a ‘female suicide bomber’ that was playing dead.” This and
other eyewitness reports were ignored as the government and the
corporate media crafted the narrative of a “lone wolf” gunman
who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The Obama
administration subsequently attempted to omit any mention of
radical Islam when it released a transcript of audio allegedly
recorded during a 911 call made by Mateen. This backfired and
the Justice Department eventually released an unedited version.
Orlando Shooter Spent Final Days Obsessing Over Psychotropic
Drugs — Feds Suppressed This Info
Activist Post - The deranged psychopath responsible for the
worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history may have been on
dangerous psychotropic drugs according to a report out of
Reuters on Thursday. What’s more, government officials knew this
information but told a witness to not to say anything about it….
Speaking with anonymity to Reuters, an acquaintance, who
frequently ran into Mateen at work, said they watched him
drastically change just prior to the shooting. According to the
source, who saw Mateen the day of the shooting, he dramatically
changed his appearance that fateful day. Mateen shaved his head
and face and seemed agitated and surly just before he went on a
killing spree. But that is not all; the acquaintance said that
Mateen was infatuated with anti-psychosis medication in the days
before the shooting. Mateen told the acquaintance that he was
tired from staying up all night researching the drugs.
‘Radical Islam!’ shouts interrupt Dem. House sit-in over gun
control
RT - A war of words erupted on the House floor in Washington on
Wednesday as dozens of Democrats staged a sit-in to push for
votes on gun-control bills. Tensions flared when Republican Rep.
Louie Gohmert of Texas derailed the debate shouting “Radical
Islam!” Democrats chanted “No bill, no break!” holding pieces of
paper with the names of victims of gun violence across the US….
The confrontation between the Democrats and Republicans nearly
turned physical when Gohmert began yelling, “radical Islam
killed these people, ISIS killed these people,” CBSNews
reported.
Journalist Tries to Buy AR-15, but It’s Not as Easy as He
Thought
Neil Steinberg, a journalist with the Chicago-Sun Times,
recently attempted to buy a Smith & Wesson M&P AR-15 for his
anti-gun hit piece. Since this was in Illinois he had to attain
a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, then fill out paperwork
for a background check, and then wait 24 hours to pick up the
firearm. Unfortunately for Steinberg, this attempt to prove that
firearms are just too easy to buy in America was a failure.
During the background check it was discovered that he had a
criminal record. According to the gun store, “It was uncovered
that Mr. Steinberg has an admitted history of alcohol abuse, and
a charge for domestic battery involving his wife.” For some
reason Steinberg went with the story anyway, despite the fact
that it proves current laws are already restrictive for violent
and irresponsible people, like himself. He played it off as if
the gun store was out to get him because they knew he was a
journalist doing a piece, and they didn’t want the bad
publicity. “Would-be terrorists can buy guns. Insane people can
buy guns. But reporters . . . that’s a different story.”
The Latest Law Enforcement Trend: Porn Sniffing Dogs
Activist Post - Of course, these dogs don’t sniff out grubby
magazines and old VHS tapes. They can sense hidden flash drives,
because they’re taught to seek out an adhesive that is commonly
found in SD cards and USB drives. The term “porn sniffing” dog
was first coined after one of these animals aided in the arrest
of former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle. While there’s no doubt
that these dogs can help from time to time, as PINAC has pointed
out, their costs likely outweigh their utility. More
importantly, these dogs may open a whole new avenue for the
police to violate your rights. As of now these dogs are being
presented by the media as the latest and greatest tool for
combating child predators who may have illicit pornography
stashed away on a flash drive. That’s certainly noble, but that
won’t be the end of it. It won’t be long before these dogs are
used for everything. After all, just about any crime you can
think of may potentially have evidence on a flash drive. In the
future, being accused of any crime, no matter how trivial, could
lead to a search for evidence on flash drives. The police could
use a minor accusation as an excuse to find evidence of a more
serious crime before sending out the dogs to sniff out your
flash drives, and every private moment you have saved on them.
In fact, that’s pretty much how drug dogs are used now.
Donald Trump to Visit UK after Brexit Vote; Republicans say
‘Strategic Mistake’
Breitbart - Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump will
hold a press conference and ribbon cutting ceremony at Trump
Turnberry in Scotland on Friday, the day after the Brexit vote
where voters decided whether or not the United Kingdom should
remain part of the European Union (EU). Voters who support
Britain leaving the EU want to have full control over the
borders and want to stop the free flow of immigration. They also
argue that being a member of the EU is holding Britain back
because of too many regulations on businesses. Trump has said
that he would “be more inclined to leave [the EU], for a lot of
reasons, like having a lot less bureaucracy.” He has repeatedly
voiced opposition and concern for open-border policies,
especially due to an increased risk of radical Islamic
terrorism. The billionaire’s trip to Scotland to visit his golf
course has come under scrutiny from some Republican
strategists…. “After Trump’s speech going after Hillary Clinton,
one could imagine him doing a series of rallies across the
United States to pound that same speech home in battleground
states,” stated Ron Bonjean, a GOP strategist. “When Trump
chooses to go to his golf resort in Scotland, it sends a message
to the fundraising community as well as Republicans on the fence
that he’s not making smart strategic decisions.”
Trump: SCOTUS ‘Kept us Safe from Exec Amnesty–for Now’
Breitbart - Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump reacted
to the decision on Thursday by the Supreme Court to block
President Obama’s executive amnesty…. “Today’s 4-4 Supreme Court
ruling has blocked one of the most unconstitutional actions ever
undertaken by a President. The executive amnesty from President
Obama wiped away the immigration rules written by Congress,
giving work permits and entitlement benefits to people illegally
in the country. This split decision also makes clear what is at
stake in November. The election, and the Supreme Court
appointments that come with it will decide whether or not we
have a border and, hence, a country. Clinton has pledged to
expand Obama’s executive amnesty, hurting poor African-American
and Hispanic workers by giving away their jobs and federal
resources to illegal immigrant labor – while making us all less
safe. It is time to protect our country and Make America Safe
Again and Great Again for everyone,” Trump stated in a press
release.
TRUMP’S Record-Setting Campaign Manager Corey Lewandowski Lands
Job at CNN
The Gateway Pundit - Corey Lewandowski, who led Donald Trump to
a record-setting Republican primary victory, landed a job at CNN
it was announced today. The Politico reported: Former Donald
Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski is joining CNN as a
political commentator, according to a source familiar with the
arrangement. It’s a salaried position and will make Lewandowski
exclusive to CNN, effective immediately. The hiring comes just
three days after Trump fired Lewandowski, ending the tenure of
the fiery operative who faced a steady string of controversies
while guiding Trump’s skeleton campaign operation to a shocking
victory in the 2016 Republican presidential primary. That same
afternoon, his first in-studio interview was with CNN’s Dana
Bash (an NBC News reporter caught up with him outside of
Lewandowski’s apartment as he headed down to the studio).
Following his interview with Bash on Monday, Lewandowski went
straight from the set and into a meeting with CNN executives
according to a separate source who witnessed Lewandowski enter
the meeting.
Social Security trust fund projected to run dry by 2034
CNN - That doesn't mean retirees will get nothing by 2034. It
means that at that point the program will only have enough
revenue coming in to pay 79% of promised benefits. So if you're
expecting to get $2,000 a month, the program will only be able
to pay $1,580. Technically, Social Security is funded by two
trust funds -- one for retiree benefits and one for disability
benefits. The 2034 date is the exhaustion date for both funds
when combined. But if considered separately, the old-age fund
will be exhausted by 2035, after which it would be able to pay
just 77% of benefits. And the disability fund will be tapped out
by 2023, at which point it could only pay out 89% of promised
benefits. To make all of Social Security solvent for the next 75
years would require the equivalent of any of the following:
immediately raising the Social Security payroll tax rate to
14.98% from 12.4% on the first $118,500 of wages; cutting
benefits by 16%; or some combination of the two…. In terms of
Medicare, the trustees project that the trust fund for Part A,
which covers hospital costs for seniors, will run dry by 2028.
That's two years earlier than they projected last year, due to
lower than expected payroll taxes and a slower-than-estimated
rate of reduction in inpatient use of hospital services.
Pipeline Ruptures Spilling 29,000 Gallons of Oil, Just Hours After Obama
Signs PIPES Act
EcoWatch - On Wednesday, President Obama signed the Protecting our
Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016 into law.
The bill, known as the PIPES Act, reauthorizes the federal government to
move swiftly in the event of a pipeline leak or rupture. Specifically,
the Secretary of Transportation is allowed to issue emergency orders if
the unthinkable happens. The reauthorization was in response to the
natural gas pipeline rupture in California where an estimated 97,000
tons of gas were released from the Aliso Canyon pipeline near Porter
Ranch. The bill also includes new mandates on construction to insure the
safety of future pipelines and to reduce the chances of another massive
leak. Ironically and very disturbingly, less than 24 hours after the
bill was signed into law, an oil pipeline in Ventura County, California
ruptured and current estimates put the amount of oil leaked at more than
29,000 gallons, though that number continues to rise…. When the leak was
discovered, the company shut the pipeline down, but the oil remaining in
the pipeline continues to flow out.
2.6 Million Dead Bees Delivered to EPA Headquarters
EcoWatch - A truck full of dead bees made its final stop at a rally
outside the headquarters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Wednesday, culminating a coast-to-coast tour to raise awareness
about recent massive declines in pollinators. While the millions of dead
bees stayed in the truck, advocates and beekeepers delivered more than 4
million signatures urging an immediate ban on bee-killing pesticides….
One culprit in the bee die-off is the widely-used class of pesticides
called neonicotinoids or neonics…. “The science is clear and convincing.
To be truly effective, we need a nationwide policy to protect our
pollinators before the crisis gets completely out of control,” said Del.
Anne Healey, sponsor of Maryland’s Pollinator Protection Act, the first
bill passed in the U.S. to eliminate consumer use of neonics.
Get Your Fix of Health Benefits With Ginger Oil
Dr. Mercola - The benefits of ginger for relieving pain are
widely known today, and while I prefer using fresh ginger (eaten
raw, grated into your vegetable juice, or steeped into tea),
using ginger oil can provide these wholesome benefits as well.
When used topically, ginger oil can help relieve aches and pain,
as well as promote normal blood circulation. Aromatherapists
also value ginger oil's soothing and warming qualities to help
address digestive problems. In fact, this is one of ginger oil's
most popular uses: relieving any kind of digestive upset, such
as nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, gas, and even morning
sickness. Here are some ways to use ginger oil for various
health problems… Apply two to three drops in a diffuser, or
place on a cotton ball or your handkerchief, and then inhale.
This will help reenergize and revitalize your body, mind, and
soul. Mix two to three drops in an ounce of carrier oil, and use
as a massage oil. This helps relieve backache, arthritis, muscle
pain, rheumatism, and fractures, as well as stimulate your
circulatory system and revitalize your libido. Inhale via a
diffuser or vaporizer to relieve sinusitis, sore throat, and
runny nose. It can also work as a decongestant. Massage a drop
into your abdomen to relieve gas and diarrhea.
The World’s Oldest BodyBuilder Just Turned 80! Here Are Her
Secrets…
Natural Blaze - Born on June 16th, 1936, the octogenarian from
Baltimore didn’t start exercising until she was 56 years old. As
she explains in the video below, she got started with the help
of her sister. After her sister passed away from a brain
aneurysm, however, Shepherd gave up caring about her health.
That was, until she developed high blood pressure and decided
things needed to change. Today, she regularly wakes up at 3 am,
runs about 80 miles (130km) per week, and lives off a
calorie-controlled diet of boiled egg whites, chicken,
vegetables, and lots of water. Ask her what her true secret of
success is, and she’ll say it’s to ‘never give up.’ Keep that
statement in mind next time you think about skipping the gym.
4 Disturbing Secrets Tom’s of Maine Doesn’t Want You to Know
About Their Products!
David Wolfe - …unfortunately, many major companies muddy the
waters with products that look, feel and taste healthy when
they’re really anything but. Colgate’s Tom’s of Maine toothpaste
brand is one of them. #1 The Biggest Problem With Tom’s of
Maine: Triclosan: … [Their patented ‘gingivitis formula]
contains triclosan, an antibacterial chemical classified by the
European Union as irritating to the skin and eyes and extremely
toxic to aquatic organisms. Triclosan also reacts with the
chlorine in tap water to produce potentially toxic amounts of
chloroform…. #2 Carrageenan: Their website insists the compound
is totally natural – and they’re right. But even though
carrageenan comes from seaweed, it still poses significant
threats to the digestive system. The compound attacks the body
similar to that produced by salmonella…. #3 Titanium Dioxide:
Titanium dioxide, found in Tom’s of Maine toothpaste, is
classified as very toxic due to its carcinogenicity. It’s
associated with lung cancer risk and can cause sinus
irritation…. #4 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: The American College of
Toxicology classifies SLS, even at low concentrations, as
potentially irritating. There have also been studies that point
out residual levels of SLS is the brain, lungs, liver and heart
as a direct result of toothpaste use. This is believed to cause
a hormonal imbalance that can lead to lower fertility rate in
men.
Naturally Fermented, Probiotic Honey Lemonade Soda
Nourished Kitchen - This homemade, naturally fermented lemonade
soda’s fizz depends on the action of friendly bacteria. They
gobble up the carbohydrates in the honey. In the end, those
bacteria make your natural sodas less sweet, slightly more tart,
rich in B vitamins and naturally fizzy. The natural fizz comes
from the release carbon dioxide that happens during
fermentation. When carbon dioxide is bottled up with no place to
go in flip-top bottles, the lemonade becomes naturally fizzy.
Depending on how long you allow the lemonade to ferment, that
fizziness can range from an effervescent tickle to a frenzied
foaming…. Ingredients: 6 cups water, 1 cup honey, 1 cup lemon
juice, ½ cup fresh whey made by straining yogurt or kefir.
Thursday - June
23, 2016 - Today in History:
1836 - The U.S. Congress approved the Deposit Act, which contained a
provision for turning over surplus federal revenue to the states.
1865 - Confederate General Stand Watie, who was also a Cherokee chief,
surrendered the last sizable Confederate army at Ft Towson, in the
Oklahoma Territory.
1902 - Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy renewed the Triple Alliance
for a 12 year duration.
1931 - Wiley Post and Harold Gatty took off from New York on the first
round-the-world flight in a single-engine plane.
1934 - Italy gained the right to colonize Albania after defeating the
country.
1938 - The Civil Aeronautics Authority was established.
1947 - The U.S. Senate joined the House in overriding President Truman's
veto of the Taft-Hartley Act.
1951 - Soviet U.N. delegate Jacob Malik proposed cease-fire discussions
in the Korean War.
1952 - The U.S. Air Force bombed power plants on Yalu River, Korea.
1964 - Henry Cabot Lodge resigned as the U.S. envoy to Vietnam and was
succeeded by Maxwell Taylor.
1966 - Civil Rights marchers in Mississippi were dispersed by tear gas.
1972 - U.S. President Nixon and White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman
discussed a plan to use the CIA to obstruct the FBI's Watergate
investigation.
2004 - The U.S. proposed that North Korea agree to a series of nuclear
disarmament measures over a 3-month period in exchange for economic
benefits.
2015 - NASA's Mars Odyssey completed its 60,000th orbit around Mars. The
spacecraft entered orbit on October 23, 2001.
2015 - Verizon announced it had completed its $4.4 billion purchase of
AOL, Inc.
NATO General Admits Russia Is Not A Threat To The Region
Zero Hedge - Over the course of the past few months, the United
States has pushed NATO to build up troops on Russia's border,
held war games in its backyard, and deployed aircraft carriers
to the Mediterranean. The rationale for such actions has always
been very vaguely communicated, but as NATO European Command
General Philip Breedlove said, it has all been to send a signal
of deterrence to Russia. However, the reality is that, according
to General Petr Pavel, chairman of the NATO Military Committee,
there is no intelligence that suggests Russia is planning any
broad-scale aggression whatsoever…. If Pavel is correct, and
there is no actual intelligence that suggests any aggression is
being planned by Russia, then either the US is trying to provoke
the country into action on purpose, which is always a
possibility, or another possibility is one that we pointed out
last week, and that is the Saudi's are pressuring the US to get
rid of Assad. If the US accommodates that request from its good
friend Saudi Arabia, then a direct conflict with Russia would be
imminent, as Russia has made it very clear that the US isn't to
take Assad out militarily.
U.S. coalition says expects tough fight against IS near Turkish
border
Reuters - The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State in Syria
and Iraq said on Wednesday it was tightening the noose around
militants in the Syrian city of Manbij near the Turkish border
but expected them to fight to the end to defend their
stronghold. A U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters
supported by coalition air strikes cut off the group’s supply
lines to Manbij in a rapid advance this month against Islamic
State in the area. The offensive aims to sever the group’s only
major route to the outside world. But it has stopped short of an
assault on the city itself out of concern for civilians inside,
the U.S.-backed alliance says. An IS counter-attack on Monday
inflicted heavy casualties, monitors reported.
Iconic pork sausages banned from Swiss school menus, MPs
outraged
RT - The decision to serve only pork-free lunches in several
schools in Basel Canton, Switzerland, has been blasted by the
country’s conservatives, who accuse local authorities of giving
in to religious minorities. Four schools in the Binningen
district of Basel Canton won’t have pork on their menu in the
next academic year, the local council ruled last week. But the
decision was strongly condemned by the conservative Swiss
People’s Party (SVP), which argued that pork sausages were an
integral part of Switzerland’s cuisine and culture…. During a
Binningen Council meeting, Keller wondered: “could it be that we
are adapting to certain cultures, rather than the other way
around?” The SVP believes that pressure from religious
minorities saw the Swiss “deprived of their beloved Klöpfer
sausages.” It’s forbidden to eat pork in Muslim and Judaic
religious traditions.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Reviving the Cold War? Senate intelligence bill ‘targets Russian
spies, diplomats’
RT - The Senate Intelligence Committee is backing a bill to
reinstate a Cold War-era committee aimed at cracking down on
"covert influence" by Russia. The bill also restricts travel by
Russian diplomats and considers a US exit from the Open Skies
treaty. The 2017 Intelligence Authorization Bill, passed by the
Senate Intelligence Committee in May, “requires the president to
establish an interagency committee to counter Russian active
measures,” according to the office of California Senator Dianne
Feinstein. Further details of the bill were reported by BuzzFeed
on Tuesday. Section 501 of the proposed legislation is asking
the White House to revive a presidentially-appointed group to
uncover Russian spies and Russian-sponsored assassinations. It
would also investigate the funding of front groups for Russian
operations, as well as “covert broadcasting, media
manipulation,” and secret funding…. The new committee would be
similar to the 'Active Measures Working Group,' which fulfilled
a similar role in the Cold War, one intelligence official told
BuzzFeed on condition of anonymity.
House Democrats stage sit-in protest in dispute over gun control
Fox News - More than 200 Democrats led by Georgia Rep. John
Lewis demanded a vote on measures to expand background checks
and block gun purchases by some suspected terrorists in the
aftermath of last week's massacre in Orlando, Florida… "No bill,
no break," shouted Democrats, who demanded that Speaker Paul
Ryan, R-Wis., keep the House in session through its planned
break next week to vote on gun legislation…. Ryan dismissed the
protest as "nothing more than a publicity stunt." In an
interview with CNN, the Speaker said the House will not vote on
a "bill that takes away a person's due process."
Emails: Key security features disabled on Clinton's server
(AP) - State Department staffers wrestled for weeks in December
2010 over a serious technical problem with then-Secretary
Hillary Clinton's home email server, causing them to temporarily
disable security features that left the server more vulnerable
to hackers, according to emails released Wednesday. Just weeks
later, according to previously disclosed emails, hackers
attacked the server, forcing Clinton's staff to shut it down.
The next day, one of Clinton's closest aides, Huma Abedin, wrote
to other high ranking staff: "Don't email hrc (Clinton) anything
sensitive. I can explain more in person." The emails were
released under court order Wednesday to the conservative legal
advocacy group Judicial Watch, which has sued the State
Department over access to public records related to the
presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's service as the
nation's top diplomat between 2009 and 2013. The emails,
reviewed by The Associated Press, show that State Department
technical staff disabled software intended to block phishing
emails that could deliver dangerous viruses. They were trying
urgently to resolve an apparent conflict between the server's
built-in email delivery features with a version of "ScanMail for
Exchange" security software from Trend Micro Inc. that had been
installed on her server. Clinton has not previously described
any security protections on her server.
Hillary Clinton's IT Aide Pleads The Fifth Over 125 Times
Zero Hedge - Brian Pagliano, the man believed to have set up and
maintained the private server in the basement of then-Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton’s New York home invoked his Fifth
Amendment rights against self-incrimination more than 125 times
during a deposition as part of a civil court case on Wednesday.
According to Fox, Pagliano’s sworn testimony with conservative
organization Judicial Watch lasted for roughly 90 minutes,
during which the IT expert repeatedly read a carefully worded
statement off of an index card while refusing to answer
questions. Pagliano’s deposition on Wednesday was originally
scheduled to occur more than two weeks ago, but was postponed
when his lawyers notified the court that the former State
Department employee would be pleading the Fifth. Which he did.
Repeatedly.
NJ Transit keeps recordings of your conversations for a month,
it says
New Jersey On-Line - NJ Transit officials have broken their
silence over what happens to surveillance recordings it makes of
passenger conversations on light rail trains. In April, the
state American Civil Liberties Union and commuter groups
demanded that NJ Transit disclose information about the
surveillance after an NJ Advance Media article revealed that the
conversations of passengers on light rail trains were being
recorded. NJ Transit had denied a public records request for the
written policy that covers their surveillance program on June 10
under the grounds that no such policy existed.
Largest fraud against govt: 300+ healthcare workers charged over
$900mn in Medicare scams
RT - More than 300 people have been charged in relation to
healthcare fraud totaling $900 million in fake billing. Dozens
of doctors and nurses from California to New York have been
swept in the nation’s largest-ever Medicare scam dragnet…. The
offenses range from a wide variety of treatments and services
such as home healthcare, psychotherapy, physical and
occupational therapy, durable medical equipment (DME) and
prescription drugs. All of the 301 defendants are accused of
being involved in fraudulent schemes to bill the government for
the services within Medicare and Medicaid programs for
treatments that were medically unnecessary and often never
provided, according to the federal investigation…. It has been
established that “in many cases” the suspects paid “cash
kickbacks” to their co-conspirators for providing patients’ data
to Medicare providers so that they could submit a claim to the
government, even though no services were actually rendered.
Television News Illusion: “Reporter in the Field on Location”
Jon Rappoport - All mainstream television news is built on
transitions from one item to another. These transitions are
called blends or segues. For example, the anchor in the studio
goes to a “reporter on location” where “the news is happening”
in real time. However, in many cases, the anchor in the studio
already knows what the reporter on location is going to say.
That field reporter could just as easily be sitting in a public
bathroom a block away from the studio, for all the good he does.
Or he could be sitting in the studio in front of a fake
backdrop. It’s a con. But the sense of transition from one place
and person to another imparts the sense of importance. The
viewer thinks, “They’re going right to the spot where the
shooting occurred an hour ago.”… Both the anchor and the
reporter in the field earn their paychecks by making the viewing
audience feel they’re “transitioning” from one important place
(the studio) to another (the street corner)…. People have
accused CNN of faking on-location footage during the 1991 Gulf
War, and later in the coverage of Sandy Hook.
Judge Upholds Suspension Of 2nd Grader Who Chewed Pastry Into
Shape Of Gun
Breitbart - Joshua Welch was suspended from Anne Arundel
County’s Park Elementary in March 2013 after chewing his pastry
into the shape of a gun and “[pretending] to fire it.” The
student’s father, B.J. Welch, took the matter to court in hopes
of having the suspension reversed and expunged from his son’s
record. Joshua Welch was suspended from Anne Arundel County’s
Park Elementary in March 2013 after chewing his pastry into the
shape of a gun and “[pretending] to fire it.” The student’s
father, B.J. Welch, took the matter to court in hopes of having
the suspension reversed and expunged from his son’s record….
Welch family attorney Robin Ficker lamented the ruling and
pointed out there was “no violence, no real weapon, no
ammunition.” But the suspension will now “be on [Joshua’s]
record in school… every time he goes into a new grade.”
Trump Speech Dominates News Cycle… Praise, Respect from
Mainstream Outlets
Breitbart - Speaking from SoHo in New York City, the presumptive
GOP nominee rebuked Clinton’s “I’m with her” slogan, saying
instead, “I’m with you, the American people.” His fiery speech
comes just days after the firing of controversial campaign
manager Corey Lewandowski and a few rocky weeks of
self-inflicted wounds as reflected in slumping poll numbers.
Trump’s campaign has been aiming for a reboot, with the hope of
uniting the Republican party – and, it looks like they may have
just gotten one. Below is a list of coverage from both the left
and right praising the presumptive GOP nominee’s speech.
Fortune: “Donald Trump Promised Us A Speech On Hillary Clinton’s
Past, And On Wednesday, He Didn’t Disappoint.” (Chris Matthews,
“Trump Accuses Clinton Of Helping China In Return For Cash,”
Fortune, 6/22/16), Fox News: “Donald Trump Delivered A
Blistering Attack Wednesday On Hillary Clinton’s Record…”
“Donald Trump delivered a blistering attack Wednesday on Hillary
Clinton’s record as secretary of state, accusing the presumptive
Democratic presidential nominee of milking oppressive regimes of
tens of millions of dollars to benefit the Clinton Foundation —
while sleeping through her own ‘3 a.m. phone call’ as terrorists
were murdering four Americans in Libya, including Ambassador
Chris Stevens.” (“Trump Hammers Clinton Foreign Policy Record,
Foundation Donations,” Fox News, 6/22/16)…
* Related Video:
Full replay of Donald Trump’s anti-Hillary Clinton speech
TV Reporters Laugh At Hillary For Avoiding Questions
Steve Watson - Hillary Clinton continues to avoid holding press
conferences or answering any questions from reporters, a fact
that is well known by members of the media, and is literally
becoming a joke. As Clinton visited House Democratic Caucus
members Wednesday morning, she refused to answer questions as
MSNBC reporter Kasie Hunt approached her. When Hunt asked
Clinton if she had a short list for vice presidential picks,
Clinton did what she usually does, plastered on a fake smile and
waved inanely. Hunt, along with MSNBC anchor Jose Diaz-Balart
began laughing at Clinton’s default position. “We tried, we
tried,” Hunt said. “It’s not an uncommon thing.” Indeed, as
reported by The Washington Post this week, Clinton has not
actually held an official press conference for over 200 days.
Obama Administration Launches Probe Into Trump Hotel Workers'
Wages
Zero Hedge - We are sure it is just a coincidence; but, as
Politico reports, Hillary-endorsing President Obama's Labor
Department has just unveiled a probe into workers' wages at GOP
Presidential nominee Donald Trump's DC Hotel... As Politico
details, The Labor Department is investigating whether workers
on Donald Trump’s renovation of Washington, D.C.’s Old Post
Office are being paid less than federal law requires. The Labor
Department confirmed to POLITICO that it’s looking into
allegations of wage-rule violations by the Craftsmen Group, a
Trump Organization subcontractor that restores windows. And
workers on the site, including one Craftsmen Group employee,
told POLITICO that they and others aren’t receiving pay rates
mandated by law. Two of them produced pay stubs to support their
claims. Since the allegations involve a subcontractor, neither
the Trump Organization nor the general contractor is under
investigation directly and may not be legally liable. But union
activists say the complaints reflect badly on Trump. “It’s yet
another example of Donald Trump’s relentless hypocrisy and gross
mistreatment of workers,” said Josh Goldstein, a spokesman for
the AFL-CIO. The labor federation endorsed Hillary Clinton last
week for president, and for months has been highly critical of
Trump's campaign.
Marco Rubio will seek Senate reelection, reversing pledge not to
run
Miami Herald - Ending weeks of political speculation, Marco
Rubio announced Wednesday he has changed his mind and will run
for re-election to the U.S. Senate [with the worst attendance
record in the Senate], reversing his pledge to return to private
life after his presidential campaign collapsed three months ago.
Rubio cited a sense of duty to try to remain in office under
either President Donald Trump or President Hillary Clinton --
two candidates he considers sub-par. National Republicans
fearful of losing Senate control to Democrats mounted a campaign
to keep Rubio on the ballot for Florida's swing seat. He
consented just two days before Friday's state
candidate-qualifying deadline.
Cash-Strapped States Left to Clean Up Hazards and Leaks at Thousands of
Abandoned Oil Drilling Sites
AllGov - With at least 60 oil producers declaring bankruptcy since 2014,
orphaned wells have become potential environmental hazards below ground
as well as rusted-out eyesores above. Texas officials predict the number
of orphaned wells could soar to 12,000, which would be nearly 25 percent
more than what regulators can't keep up with now. Landowners, meanwhile,
are growing restless with abandoned pump jacks and damage while drillers
warn that crackdowns would only put them out of business faster.
How did Google become the internet’s censor and master manipulator,
blocking access to millions of websites?
US News - Google, Inc., isn't just the world's biggest purveyor of
information; it is also the world's biggest censor. The company
maintains at least nine different blacklists that impact our lives,
generally without input or authority from any outside advisory group,
industry association or government agency. Google is not the only
company suppressing content on the internet. Reddit has frequently been
accused of banning postings on specific topics, and a recent report
suggests that Facebook has been deleting conservative news stories from
its newsfeed, a practice that might have a significant effect on public
opinion – even on voting. Google, though, is currently the biggest bully
on the block. When Google's employees or algorithms decide to block our
access to information about a news item, political candidate or
business, opinions and votes can shift, reputations can be ruined and
businesses can crash and burn. Because online censorship is entirely
unregulated at the moment, victims have little or no recourse when they
have been harmed. Eventually, authorities will almost certainly have to
step in, just as they did when credit bureaus were regulated in 1970.
The alternative would be to allow a large corporation to wield an
especially destructive kind of power that should be exercised with great
restraint and should belong only to the public: the power to shame or
exclude.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
Police Called In to Stop Local Food Distribution
Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance - Health departments have stepped
up their attacks on your right to purchase food directly from
farmers, resorting to bringing the police to harass and
intimidate local raw milk customers. That’s what happened to one
group of raw milk customers in Austin recently. They went to a
private home to meet the courier that they had hired to pick up
their milk and were met by four inspectors from the City of
Austin Health Department and Texas Department of State Health
Services (DSHS). An unmarked police car pulled into the
driveway, blocking the raw milk van and a customer’s car—with
her children in it—and two policemen emerged. The inspectors
proceeded to tell the customers that they could not take
possession of the milk, ignoring protests that they had already
paid for that milk. The inspectors also ignored the statement
from the courier that he had a signed agreement with the
customers making him their agent—and instead falsely wrote on
the inspection report that the courier worked for the farmer.
The inspectors refused to speak to an attorney the courier
called for assistance. Instead, one of the city’s inspectors
confronted the woman who had organized the group drop-off and
demanded that she provide her driver’s license. When she
hesitated, the inspector called a policeman over and then
started to take pictures of her car with her children in it.
After the woman broke down in tears, the inspector continued to
question her to try to find out the names and locations of other
drop points.
Turmeric Heals Spinal Cord Injuries Better Than Drugs/Surgery,
Review Suggests
Green Med Info - A promising new study published in Neurology
Research International titled, “The Potential of Curcumin In
Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury,” suggests that the ancient
Indian spice turmeric, and its primary polyphenol curcumin, may
provide victims of spinal cord injury (SCI) a safer and more
effective approach than conventional treatment which relies
primarily on surgery and corticosteroids, a class of
anti-inflammatory drugs notorious for adverse health effects….
The study quickly points out curcumin’s potential superiority
vis-à-vis corticosteroids: Because all studies that compare the
two show superior results for curcumin over corticosteroids, it
could be true that curcumin better acts at the inflammatory
source of SCI-mediated neurological injury, although this
question remains unanswered in patients.”… The question of
whether clinical research will eventually materialize on
curcumin and SCI is addressed powerfully in the closing comments
of the study: Lastly, can clinicians shed the “herbal medicine”
stigma and be able to acknowledge that ignoring its beneficial
effects is largely due to a lack of clinical data and not
necessarily a result of inferior clinical efficacy? The study
also addresses curcumin's role as an antioxidant and
anti-fibrotic agent in mitigating SCI damage and stimulating
accelerated healing.
Five spices and herbs that really work for treating depression
(NaturalNews) As noted by the MalayMail Online, a number of
studies as well as many nutritional publications agree that
certain foods have the ability to improve our moods. For
instance, omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, nuts and
seeds, are well-known mood boosters. But other foods can have
different mental benefits. Certain herbs and spices also tend to
have naturally occurring antidepressant benefits, which will
give mind and body a healthy boost with a variety of flavors.
Below is a closer examination of five top ingredients right from
your spice rack that will help improve your mood and keep you
free from the clutches of Big Pharma: Saffron: In traditional
Eastern medicine it is considered to be the spice of happiness
and for good reason: A 2015 Iranian study found that saffron may
even have the very same effects as a prescription
anti-depressant…. Cinnamon: hether you are using cinnamon sticks
or ground spice, it is an ingredient that definitely stimulates
the brain. But researchers say it can also heighten
concentration, memory and attention…. Turmeric: While it is
known for its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits,
turmeric also stimulates release of serotonin, which is your
body's natural mood enhancer….
Heal Your Digestion with the Benefits of L-Glutamine
Natural Blaze - Worldwide, stomach cancer is the #5 most
commonly diagnosed cancer. In 2012, more than 950,000 cases of
stomach cancers were diagnosed. Helicobacter pylori bacteria and
the Epstein-Barr virus have been linked to many cases but have
not been tested for in all patients. Men have twice the risk of
stomach cancer than women but both genders have increased risk
with age…. Published in the Journal of Nutrition, senior author
of the study, Susan Hagen, PhD, stated, “Extra glutamine in the
diet could protect against gastric damage caused by H. pylori.
Gastric damage develops when the bacteria weakens the stomach’s
protective mucous coating, damages cells, and elicits a robust
immune response that is ineffective at ridding the infection.”
She went on to explain that when gastric distress is ignored,
bigger problems develop that include gastritis and damage that
creates an ideal environment for cancer cells to grow. “The
damaging effects of ammonia on gastric cells could be reversed
completely by the administration of L-glutamine.
Keeping Your Dog Healthy With Apple Cider Vinegar
Natural News Blogs - The list of proven ACV benefits for dogs covers
dozens of topics including external applications and internal therapies.
Because apple cider vinegar is natural, it’s safe to use as an external
wash or spray. However, always be careful to keep it away from your
dog’s eyes. Holistic vets often recommend ACV for: Discouraging fleas
and ticks, Treating rashes and hot spots, Soothing irritated paw pads
[and] Reducing ear yeast infections. ACV is considered a natural
detoxifier and its long-term use can help your dog resist infections.
Because it’s rich in potassium, it’s also beneficial to dogs with
diuretic problems. The recommended dosage is 1 teaspoon of apple cider
vinegar for every 15 pounds of body weight. It’s best to start with a
small amount in your dog’s drinking bowl and gradually build up to his
proper dosage. The benefits of ACV therapy include: A stronger immune
system, Less arthritis stiffness, Fewer urinary tract problems,
Reduction in fecal odor [and] improved vital organ functions…. Organic
apple cider vinegar is the preferred choice for maintaining dog wellness
because it contains nutrients and essential acids that contribute to
better digestion and overall good health.
Wednesday - June
22, 2016 - Today in History:
1772 - Slavery was outlawed in England.
1807 - British seamen board the USS Chesapeake, a
provocation leading to the War of 1812.
1868 - Arkansas was re-admitted to the Union.
1870 - The U.S. Congress created the Department of
Justice.
1933 - Germany became a one political party country
when Hitler banned parties other than the Nazis.
1942 - A Japanese submarine shelled Fort Stevens at
the mouth of the Columbia River.
1942 - V-Mail, or Victory-Mail, was sent for the
first time.
1944 - U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt signed the
"GI Bill of Rights" to provide broad benefits for
veterans of the war.
1945 - During World War II, the battle for Okinawa
officially ended after 81 days.
1946 - Jet airplanes were used to transport mail for
the first time.
1970 - U.S. President Richard Nixon signed an
extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It
required that the voting age in the United States to
be 18.
1973 - Skylab astronauts splashed down safely in the
Pacific after a record 28 days in space.
1974 - In Chicago, the Sears Tower Skydeck opened.
(Willis Tower)
1980 - The Soviet Union announced a partial
withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan.
1989 - The government of Angola and the
anti-Communist rebels of the UNITA movement agreed
to a formal truce in their 14-year-old civil war.
1992 - The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that
hate-crime laws that ban cross-burning and similar
expressions of racial bias violated free-speech
rights.
1998 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that evidence
illegally obtained by authorities could be used at
revocation hearings for a convicted criminal's
parole.
1998 - The 75th National Marbles Tournament began in
Wildwood, NJ.
1999 - The Supreme Court ruled that persons
with remediable handicaps cannot claim
discrimination in employment under the Americans
with Disability Act.
2009 - Eastman Kodak Company announced that it would
discontinue sales of the Kodachrome Color Film.
'Never mind the US, Russia’s the one losing patience over Syria
ceasefire chaos' - Chief of Staff
RT - The Russian military says Washington still won’t provide a
list of groups it considers terrorist, allowing jihadists to
regroup and escape Russian-led air raids on their positions, the
head of the Russian General Staff said. Valery Gerasimov’s
statement comes in response to one from US Secretary of State
John Kerry last week, in which he said Washington is running out
of patience regarding truce violations in Syria. The ceasefire
brokered by Russia and the United States in February doesn’t
include Al-Nusra Front and Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL)
positions, as well as other formations considered to be
terrorists by the United Nations Security Council. "Russia needs
to understand that our patience is not infinite. In fact, it is
very limited with whether or not Assad is going to be held
accountable," Kerry said last Wednesday. "It is very clear that
the cessation of hostilities is frayed and at risk, and that it
is critical for a genuine cessation to be put in place." In
response to Kerry's statement, the head of the Russian General
Staff warned it is, in fact, Russia that is growing impatient
with the US over Washington's refusal to cooperate…. Russia has
for months been urging Washington to produce a shared map of the
positions of fighting forces to avoid incidents and prevent
targeting those groups fighting IS and Jibhat Al Nusra in Syria.
The US hasn’t shared those coordinates.
‘As fast as they want’: US commander says Russia outpaces NATO
in deployment capabilities
RT - Russian capabilities to deploy troops at long distances are
“scary” as they outweigh those of NATO, the commander of US Army
Europe has said, calling for “a military Schengen zone” that
would allow troops to move back and forth within the bloc’s
territory. “The thing I worry about the most is freedom of
movement. The Russians are able to move huge formations and lots
of equipment a long distance very fast,” Lieutenant General Ben
Hodges, commander of US Army Europe, told BBC’s Hardtalk show on
Monday. "The Russians...can move anywhere inside of Russia, as
fast as they want,” Gen. Hodges claimed, speaking during the
Anakonda 2016 exercises in Poland, which are viewed as NATO’s
largest Eastern European war games since the Cold War.
Panicked Brits Rush To Buy Gold Bars, Stuff Them In Home Safes
Zero Hedge - Worried British savers are scrambling to buy gold
bars and "stuffing them in safes at home, data suggests, as
fears mount that a Brexit-induced financial meltdown could be
just around the corner." The paper cites Google search data for
the term "home safe" which is running 61% higher than the level
at which it peaked in November 2008, the point of the financial
crisis, and is now higher than at any point since. In other
words, whether intended or not, locals are more terrified of the
outcome of Thursday's vote than the near-collapse of the
financial system in the aftermath of Lehmans' failure. Royal
Mint, Britain's official producer of gold and silver coins and
bars, said sales have soared by 32% over the past month, with
customers rushing to buy sovereign and Britannia bullion coins
and signature gold bars in particular.
OPEC May Be Forcing Venezuela Into Regime Change
Zero Hedge - A key U.S. Congressman believes that the actions by
the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
regarding oil production could lead to regime change in
Venezuela, according to an interview published last week. “I
think ten years from now, we’ll look back at this as a positive
effect, possibly on regime change in Venezuela,” said Rep. Jeff
Duncan, reacting to OPEC member states failing to agree earlier
this month to establish oil output limits…. The Venezuelan
economy has sagged heavily over oil prices that have nosedived
from $115 per barrel in June 2014 to less than $30 per barrel by
January this year. As a result, the government’s strategy to
rely heavily on oil revenues that make up 95 percent of
Venezuelan export earnings and roughly 25 percent of its gross
domestic product has backfired.
TEPCO Admits Cover-Up Of Fukushima Meltdown
Zero Hedge - Today, over five years later, we got confirmation
that yet another "conspiracy theory" was just another "fact",
when the president of TEPCO, Naomi Hirose, admitted on NHK that
his company concealed the reactor meltdowns at its Fukushima
Daiichi nuclear plant immediately after the March 2011
earthquake and tsunami. Hirose also confirmed that TEPCO ordered
not to use the word “core meltdown” when referring to what
happened at the crippled plant. In fact, the utility did not
officially admit the meltdowns until more than 2 months after
the accident. The announcement came a week after a scandalous
report claimed that Japanese government and TEPCO hushed up the
tragedy.
Shock Report: Is Big Beef Hiring Hitmen to Murder Activists –
185 Murders Last Year Alone
Natural Blaze - Environmental activists, in particular, those
attempting to halt illegal logging for Big Beef, are being
killed in alarming numbers, with 185 killings in 2015 —
averaging three per week — a 60 percent increase over the
previous year…. As Global Witness notes, conflicts over logging,
hydroelectric dams, mining, and agribusiness saw the highest
number of killings — but Brazil was the most impacted, losing 50
activists to the fight against illegal logging in the Amazon.
According to the report, “the Amazon states of Brazil saw
unprecedented levels of violence in 2015, where communities are
being encroached on by ranches and agricultural plantations or
gangs of illegal loggers. The rainforest has given way to
thousands of illegal logging camps whilst the agricultural
frontier is pushing further into previously untouched indigenous
reserves. It’s estimated that 80% of timber from Brazil is
illegal, and accounts for 25% of illegal wood on global markets.
Much of this is being sold on to buyers in the US, Europe and
China.”
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
AG Lynch Admits She Has No Idea Where Omar Mateen’s Wife Has
Gone
The Gateway Pundit - Grabien reported: Attorney General Loretta
Lynch admitted today that the FBI is unaware of the whereabouts
of Omar Mateen’s wife, Noor Salman. Salman has indicated she
suspected Mateen was about to commit a terrorist attack, and
even accompanied him to buy the weaponry he used to carry out
the massacre. She insists, however, that as he left she tried to
hold onto his arm so he wouldn’t leave. If the FBI believes she
was aware of the impending attack, she could be prosecuted. “Has
the shooter’s wife left the state of Florida?” a reporter asked
Lynch during her press conference Tuesday. “Right now, I don’t
know exactly the answer to that,” Lynch candidly replied.<
strong>“I believe she was going to travel but I do not know
exactly her location now.”
Senate will vote on gun control compromise bill
Washington Examiner - Senate Republican leaders said Tuesday
they'll soon bring a compromise gun control bill to the floor…
GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has pledged to hold a vote on
legislation sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, as early
as this week. It would empower federal authorities to block gun
purchases by people who appear on the "no-fly" list or who are
on a "selectee" list that requires them to receive extra
scrutiny before flying. "Essentially we believe if you are too
dangerous to fly on an airplane, you are too dangerous to buy a
gun," Collins said just after she presented her plan to GOP
lawmakers in a closed-door meeting…. Most Republicans have so
far been unwilling to back anything more than a bill authored by
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, that would only temporarily ban gun
purchases by those on the terror watch list until the government
can prove the sale should not be allowed.
3 Heavily Armed People Arrested At Holland Tunnel On Way To New
York City
Zero Hedge - Three people were arrested with multiple loaded
guns, rifles and ballistic vests at the Holland Tunnel Tuesday
when police stopped them for driving with a cracked windshield.
The three individuals, two men in their 50s and a woman in her
20s who may be from Pennsylvania, were stopped on the New Jersey
side of the tunnel around 8 a.m., authorities said. A search of
their vehicle revealed the weapons cache. he guns seized
included long-range weapons as well as handguns. A camouflage
helmet with what appeared to be night goggles was also
recovered. However, in an apparent bid to ease fears of an
imminent terrorist attack on NYC, two senior law enforcement
officials say the three suspects are so-called "gun enthusiasts"
and have no nexus to terror. There is no known threat.
DHS's watch list plan is unconstitutional and dangerous
MassPrivateI - Here's a short list of how easy it is for anyone
to land on DHS's watch list. 1. Displaying Bumper Stickers on
Your Vehicle. 2. Shop at Costco or Sam’s Club. 3. Paying with
Cash. 4. Vote for a Third Party. 5. Flying the American Flag (or
any of several historic American flags). 6. Homeschool Your
Children. 7. Plant a Garden. 8. Take Pictures or Videos. 9.
Believe in Conspiracy Theories, The nine examples were taken
from the 'secret' gov't rulebook titled 'March 2013 Watchlisting
Guidance' which labels nearly every American a potential
terrorist…. The DoD claims that the proposed Database may
therefore include counseling statements; credit reports; user
names and aliases; logs of printer, copier and facsimile machine
use; information collected through “the technical capability to
observe and record the actions and activities of all users, at
any time, on a computer network controlled by DoD;” and
“information related to investigative or analytical efforts by
DoD insider threat program personnel to identify threats toDoD
personnel, property, facilities, and information.”
Texas court halts execution of man in 'shaken baby' death case
Reuters - A Texas man scheduled to be put to death next week for
murdering his 2-year-old daughter has been granted a stay of
execution after his lawyers argued his conviction stemmed from
"junk science" about shaken baby syndrome…. In a brief filed
with the court this month, his lawyers said new scientific
evidence showed that he should not have been convicted and the
state relied on "false, misleading, and scientifically invalid
testimony.”… For decades, pathologists, pediatricians and courts
recognized a distinct set of internal head injuries - brain
swelling, bleeding on the surface of the brain and behind the
eyes – as proof of death by deliberate shaking, even in the
absence of other overt signs of violence. But medical consensus
has shifted in recent years and research now shows such injuries
can be caused by accidental falls from a short height, or even
medical conditions such as blood-clotting disorders and latent
trauma from a difficult birth, which can manifest weeks later.
Lawyers for Roberson also pointed out that it is impossible to
shake a baby to death without causing serious neck injuries,
which his child did not suffer.
CPS Seizes Newborn From Rape Victim At Hospital — ‘Treated Worse
Than The Criminal’
Off the Grid News - Witnesses claim that police and social
workers took a newborn baby away from his young mother while she
was still in the hospital and breastfeeding, without giving a
sufficient reason. The case is controversial because the mother
was a 14-year-old rape victim who had rejected an abortion. Even
worse, the child’s purported father — the alleged rapist — was
allowed to see the baby, Health Impact News and
MedicalKidnap.com reported. As is standard protocol, DHR –
Alabama’s version of CPS — has refused to comment on the
allegations. The case is unique because reporter Terri LaPoint
of Health Impact News and Juda Myers of the pro-life group
Choices4Life were at the hospital and watched the removal…. The
case is still under investigation. The suspected rapist, Samuel
Woods II, was charged with second-degree rape on June 17,
according to records from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office….
LaPoint claims the baby was taken away without a court order, a
warrant and no sign of danger or neglect. Three Alabaster police
officers were allegedly accompanying the DHR employees who took
the baby, Braelon, away.
Trump launches anti-Clinton site amid campaign changes
Washington Examiner - Presumptive Republican nominee Donald
Trump announced late Tuesday that his campaign was launching an
anti-Clinton website called "LyingCrookedHillary.com." In a
press release, the campaign announced the site "will showcase
some of Clinton's most disastrous lies to the American people."
The new site comes amid a whirlwind day for the campaign, during
which they started releasing rapid response emails, announced
staff additions and rolled out an evangelical advisory board.
The news also comes a day after Trump fired campaign manager
Corey Lewandowski, who reportedly had pushed back against
further changes as they move ahead to the general election.
Trump Responds To Press Mockery Of "Terrible" Fundraising Report
Zero Hedge - The political press is abuzz today following a
report that in a month in which Hillary Clinton raised $26.4
million for her fundraising campaign, leaving her with $42.5
million in cash on hand, Donald Trump managed to raise only $3.1
million, and only had $1.3 million in the bank thanks to another
$2.2 million personal loans he made to his campaign. The
fundraising report, posted late Monday night, received a mocking
reception from political press and set off alarms among
Republicans, who worry he’s not interested in raising money for
himself or the national party and will get swamped by Hillary
Clinton in the general election…. Trump has beaten back
criticism over his "terrible" May fundraising report, by saying
that he has "unlimited" cash on hand to fund his campaign
because he can put up as much of his own money as he wants. And
the punchline: "If need be, there could be unlimited ‘cash on
hand’ as I would put up my own money, as I have already done
through the primaries, spending over $50 million dollars,” Trump
said in a statement. “Our campaign is leaner and more efficient,
like our government should be." In a statement released on
Tuesday, Trump also argued that “June represents the first full
month of fundraising activity for the campaign” and that next
month’s FEC filing should be used as a benchmark.
DNC Researched Clinton Speeches, Travel Records
Smoking Gun - The latest document dump from “Guccifer 2.0,” the
hacker who breached the Democratic National Committee’s servers,
shows that party officials have researched Hillary Clinton’s
prior travel on private jets, the Clinton Foundation’s
investments, and the Democratic presidential candidate’s speech
contractsm The hacker this morning began distributing more than
250 files--totaling thousands of pages of records--that appear
to have been prepared by DNC research staff…. As for the DNC’s
claim that the breach was the work of Russian intelligence
agents, “Guccifer 2.0” dismissed the assertion as a “Total
fail!!!” In recent correspondence, the hacker has used an AOL
France e-mail account. The bulk of the material released today
centers on Clinton’s position on scores of domestic and
international issues and criticisms leveled against her by
assorted opponents. The documents include Clinton’s
counterarguments to those attacks from Republican officials and
other foes.
* Related:
View source of Document
CNN: Hillary Clinton Lead Drops Despite Clinching Nomination
Breitbart - A new poll from CNN/ORC finds Hillary Clinton
leading Donald Trump by five points. Two weeks after clinching
the Democrat nomination, Clinton has 47 percent support against
42 percent for Trump. At the beginning of May, though, Clinton
led Trump by 13 points in CNN’s polling. Her support has dropped
from 54 percent then to 47 percent today.
Why isn’t the assassination attempt on Donald Trump bigger news?
Blacklisted News - A British man was arrested over the weekend
for trying to steal a policewoman's gun at Republican
presidential candidate Donald Trump's Las Vegas rally. Michael
Steven Sandford told officials he drove from California to
Nevada to kill Trump. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post) The No.
1 trending question related to Donald Trump on Google right now
is "Who tried to shoot Trump?" Which means a lot of people don't
know the answer. Which is probably because the assassination
attempt on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee
hasn't been covered as a major news story. The answer,
authorities say, is Michael Steven Sandford, a 20-year-old
British citizen who was in the United States illegally after
overstaying his visa. Sandford allegedly tried to pull a gun
from the holster of a police officer at a Trump rally in Las
Vegas on Saturday. He was arrested and later told the Secret
Service that he had driven to the event from California and had
been planning to kill the candidate for a year, according to a
criminal complaint filed Monday in U.S. District Court in
Nevada.
More Banker Layoffs: RBS To Cut Another 900 Jobs
Zero Hedge - Bank layoffs are now coming at a rapid pace in what
is a clear sign of desperation by the firms to cut costs enough
to keep shareholders happy as NIRP continues to hammer bank
profits. On the heels of Bank of America announcing that 8,000
employees would be fired last week, we now learn that RBS will
be cutting 900 jobs as well, in areas such as IT and other back
office positions that support the commercial, retail and private
bank will be cut in Britain. The latest round of cuts takes the
total number of layoffs in the last four months to roughly 5% of
the bank's british workforce, as at least 2,700 staff across the
country have been let go since the beginning of March according
to Reuters. Sources tell Reuters that more layoffs are expected
to be announced in the coming months as well.
California utility announces plan to shutter state’s last nuclear plant
Ars Technica - Now, after a decades-long battle, a plant in California
that sits near several fault lines will not be relicensed when its
current certifications expire in the middle of next decade. The decision
will bring an end to nuclear power in the golden state, which has the
most aggressive climate goals in the US. At the time Fukushima occurred,
California had two licensed nuclear reactors. But a faulty refurbishment
had put the San Onofre in limbo; due to the uncertainty, its owners
eventually decided to permanently shutter the plant. That left Diablo
Canyon as the only operational plant in the state. That site had been
controversial since before the plant was operational, as it is situated
near several fault lines and on the coast; Fukushima did little to allay
those fears. Diablo Canyon's two reactors were scheduled to be
relicensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2024 and 2025. Now,
in a deal negotiated between the utility and environmental groups, that
relicensing won't occur. The deal calls for the lost generating power to
be replaced by a mix of renewable energy, grid-scale storage, and
efficiency measures.
The Big One? Large-Scale Motion Detected at San Andreas Fault: “The
Build-up Is Causing Movement”
Mac Slavo - The big one is believed to be due every century or so along
major fault lines – and California is long overdue. Eventually, there is
just too much built up pressure that must be released…. Now, researchers
have been able to model that build up of pressure along the tectonic
plates of the San Andreas using new GPS techniques that have allowed
more information: Analysis of GPS data has revealed new areas of motion
around the San Andreas Fault System. Using data collected by the
EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory’s GPS array, researchers
identified 125-mile-wide “lobes” of uplift and subsidence. Over the last
several years, the lobes, which straddle the fault line, have hosted a
few millimeters of annual movement. […] Lead author Samuel Howell, a
researcher at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, explained in a news
release. “Using this technique, we were able to break down the noisy
signals to isolate a simple vertical motion pattern that curiously
straddled the San Andreas fault.”… According to the leading scientists
in the study of tectonic plates and movements, earthquakes must
periodically relieve plate pressure (about 16 feet worth of movement
every century), but that has not happened on the San Andreas fault
during that time period – in fact, the event is overdue.
China creates world’s fastest computer without relying on US hardware
for first time
RT - A Chinese supercomputer has been named the world's fastest computer
for the seventh year in a row – but unlike previous winners, this year's
champion uses only Chinese-designed processors, representing a decline
of US dominance in the field…. It is capable of 93 petaflops, or
quadrillion calculations per second, according to TOP500. It was
designed for use in engineering and research, including in the fields of
climate, weather, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and data
analytics…. In addition to beating out US computers, China also
surpassed the US for the first time as the country with the most
supercomputers in the top 500. China had 167 systems and the US had 165.
Japan took third place with 29 systems. China's developments serve as
evidence of dwindling US dominance in the field, with TOP500 organizers
saying: “Considering that just 10 years ago, China claimed a mere 28
systems on the list, with none ranked in the top 30, the nation has come
further and faster than any other country in the history of
supercomputing.”
New FAA commercial drone rules require “pilot certificate”
Ars Technica - On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration unveiled
its long-anticipated rules for commercial use of small consumer drones.
The rules call for a new "remote pilot certificate," a blanket ban on
night flights, and a requirement that all flights remain below 400 feet
or within 400 feet of a structure. Under the new operational rules,
which take effect in August 2016, drone pilots must be at least 16 years
old or be supervised by an adult with a remote pilot certificate. The
pilot must also maintain "visual line of sight" with the drone at all
times, among other requirements. (Personal, or hobbyist, use rules
remain unchanged.)… Notably, the new rules also require that any
drone-related incident that results in at least $500 worth of damage or
causes serious injury be reported to the FAA within 10 days…. The FAA
notably does not address questions of potential privacy violations or
aerial trespass—an issue that remains unresolved under federal law.
Green tea could help treat Down syndrome
STEPin2 - Green tea could help treat Down syndrome A compound
found in green tea could help treat Down syndrome, according to
a new study from researchers at the Centre for Genomic
Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona, Spain…. According to study
co-leader Dr. Mara Dierssen, cognitive impairments from Down
syndrome are due to overexpression of a gene called DYRK1A. The
new study suggests that EGCG, the compound found in green tea,
could help reduce DYRK1A expression…. The study authors
concluded: “EGCG and cognitive training for 12 months was
significantly more effective than placebo and cognitive training
at improving visual recognition memory, inhibitory control, and
adaptive behaviour. Phase 3 trials with a larger population of
individuals with Down’s syndrome will be needed to assess and
confirm the long-term efficacy of EGCG and cognitive training.”
The study showing that green tea could help treat Down syndrome
was published in The Lancet Neurology.
Baking Soda: 23 Uses for Your Health and Home
The Alternative Daily - Like many other natural substances such
as Epsom salt, and coconut oil, baking soda is highly esteemed
in my home and gets front and center pantry real estate. #1
Ultimate pot and pan scrubber… #2 No-fume oven cleaner… #3
Old-time fridge deodorizer… #4 Ant and cockroach repellant…
What is Oral Thrush? 9 Natural Ways to Heal Oral Thrush!
Natural News Blogs - Oral thrush is a fungal infection that
occurs due to the overgrowth of fungus named as Candida albicans.
It is one type of yeast infection, which develops on your tongue
as well as inside your mouth. And oral thrush happens when your
immune system cannot maintain the natural defense against the
Candida albicans fungus…. Coconut oil is a good remedy to fight
an oral infection. It helps eliminate the yeast and reduce the
discomforts associated with thrush…. You can apply the juice
extracted from grapefruit seeds on the tongue to deal with the
problem of thrush…. Baking soda is an effective and inexpensive
remedy for oral thrush. It can kill the yeast that causes the
infection…. You can consume aloe vera juice (1/4th glass) on a
daily basis to cure thrush…. Drinking a cup of unsweetened
cranberry juice creates an acidic environment that makes it
difficult for candida to thrive….
8 Natural Remedies for Healing a Bruise Fast!
David Wolfe - We all bump into doors, tables and counters every
once in a while, but if you find that you bruise more easily
than others, there could be several explanations, including age,
blood disorders, diabetes, excessive straining during exercise,
certain medications, pale skin or sun damage. Luckily, there are
plenty of natural remedies you can use to help heal your
accidental bruises quicker!… Vinegar increases blood flow near
the surface of the skin to aid in healing. Applying a homemade
solution of vinegar and warm water to a bruise can help
dissipate the blood under the skin and lessen the appearance of
the bruise…. Parsley is known to decrease inflammation and
reduce pain. Crush a handful of parsley leaves and spread them
over the bruise, then wrap the parsley-covered bruise in a
bandage and let the herb help the healing process…. Mix 1 part
cayenne pepper with 5 parts coconut oil to help speed up the
healing process of a bruise…. Cabbage is full of Vitamin C and
Vitamin K to promote healing. Break the ridges of a few cabbage
leaves then dip them in hot water. Apply the cabbage strips to
the bruise. If you bruise regularly, try adding sauerkraut or
fermented cabbage to your diet.
Top 7 ways the establishment (Big Food and Western Medicine) will kill
your cat or dog inside of seven years
(NaturalNews) Cats and dogs that die at age 5 or 7 of leukemia didn't
inherit it. More than 95 percent of cancer cases are not inherited or
"genetic" – as doctors and veterinarians would have us all believe. In
fact, every health problem in the world has at least one natural
solution, if not many, but people are brainwashed into believing
otherwise…. Here are the top seven ways the establishment – Big Food and
Western Medicine – will kill your cat or dog inside of seven years, if
you let them: #1. Jerky treats (and other meats, including chicken, beef
and fish) from China. #2. Toxic flea-killing medicines in the form of
powders, ointments, aerosol "bombs," or injections (there are safe,
natural flea-killing solutions!) #3. Toxic heart worm medications. #4.
GMO ingredients in the food, like corn, soy and GM salmon. #5. The same
toxins in vaccines that are given to humans are also in pet vaccines –
including mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde and MSG. #6. Toxic herbicides
(like Roundup) and insecticides (like Raid ant and roach killer) for
home, yard and garden use, get absorbed through pets' paws and cause
cancer. #7. Toxins in litter – including silica gel for deodorizing and
aflatoxins that attack the liver.
Will New Jersey be the First State to Outlaw Declawing?
The Catington Post - Troy Singleton (D-Burlington) last week sponsored
legislation that would add onychetomy — the medical term for declawing —
to the list of criminal animal cruelty offenses. If the bill (A3899)
passes, veterinarians that perform declaws and the people who try to
have their cats declawed would face a fine of up to $1,000 or six months
in jail. While declaw procedures are typically done to stop cats from
scratching their owners’ furniture, sometimes there is a valid medical
reason – and the bill allows for that: …“therapeutic purpose” means for
purpose of necessity to address the medical condition of the animal,
such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or
abnormal condition in a claw that compromises the animal’s health.
“Therapeutic purpose” shall not mean cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or
reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the animal.
* Related:
Declawing: Why You Should Never Subject Your Cat to This Torturous
Procedure
Tuesday - June
21, 2016 - Today in History:
1788 - The U.S. Constitution went into effect when
New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.
1893 - The Ferris Wheel was introduced at the
World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, IL.
1938 - In Washington, U.S. President Roosevelt
signed the $3.75 billion Emergency Relief
Appropriation Act.
1939 - Lou Gehrig quit baseball due to illness.
1941 - German troops entered Russia on a front from
the Arctic to Black Sea.
1958 - In Arkansas, a federal judge let Little Rock
delay school integration.
1963 - France announced that they were withdrawing
from the North Atlantic NATO fleet.
1973 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states may
ban materials found to be obscene according to local
standards.
1974 - The U.S. Supreme Court decided that pregnant
teachers could no longer be forced to take long
leaves of absence.
1985 - Scientists announced that skeletal remains
exhumed in Brazil were those of Nazi war criminal
Josef Mengele.
1989 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that burning the
American flag as a form of political protest was
protected by the First Amendment.
2001 - Former Haitian Army colonel Carl Dorelien
taken into custody in Port St. Lucie. Dorelien had
been in exile since 1994 when he was sentenced to
life in prison for his role in a 1994 massacre.
2003 - The fifth Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter
and the Order of the Phoenix," was published by J.K.
Rowling. Amazon.com shipped out more than one
million copies on this day making the day the
largest distribution day of a single item in
e-commerce history. The book set sales records
around the world with an estimated 5 million copies
were sold on the first day.
2004 - SpaceShipOne, designed by Burt Rutan and
piloted by Mike Melvill, reached 328,491 feet above
Earth in a 90 minute flight. The height is about 400
feet above the distance scientists consider to be
the boundary of space.
U.S. and Russian Jets Clash Over Syria
The Daily Beast - The incident began when at least two
twin-engine Su-34 bombers, some of Moscow’s most advanced
warplanes, struck what the Pentagon described as a “border
garrison” housing around 200 U.S.-supported rebels in At Tanf on
the Syrian side of the Syria-Jordan border.... The U.S. Navy
scrambled F/A-18 fighters to intercept the Russians, the Los
Angeles Times reported.... Arriving over At Tanf, the American
pilots apparently spoke directly to the Russian aviators....
With the American jets flying close enough to visually identify
the Su-34s, the Russians departed the air space over At Tanf.
Some time shortly thereafter, the F/A-18s ran low on fuel and
left the area in order to link up with an aerial tanker. That’s
when the Su-34s reportedly returned to At Tanf—and bombed the
rebels again.... According to the Los Angeles Times, the second
strike killed first-responders assisting survivors of the first
bombing run.
ISIS threat to U.S. air bases, South Korea intelligence agency
warns
CNN - ISIS has collected information on 77 U.S. and NATO air
force facilities around the world and is calling on supporters
to attack them, according to South Korea’s intelligence agency.
The terror group has also released information on individuals in
21 countries, including the personal details of one employee of
a South Korean welfare organization, the National Intelligence
Service (NIS) said in a statement Sunday. That person is now
under protection, the agency said. The NIS says ISIS’ hacking
organization, the United Cyber Caliphate, collected details of
U.S. air force units in South Korea including Osan Air Base, and
addresses and Google satellite maps have been released through
the Telegram messaging service.
Pentagon Finds 42% of Afghans Feel Less Secure Now than Before
U.S. Invasion
AllGov - In a report Friday to Congress covering war
developments since December, the Pentagon cited progress in
developing more capable Afghan security forces 15 years after a
U.S.-led invasion toppled the Taliban government. But it also
said public opinion surveys indicate Afghans don't feel better
protected. "Perceptions of security remain near all-time lows,"
the report said. Only 20 percent of Afghans surveyed in March
called security good. That is a drop from 39 percent a year
earlier. In the latest polling, 42 percent of Afghans said
security is worse now than during the time of the Taliban, which
ruled the country from 1996 to late 2001 when U.S. troops
invaded to eliminate an al-Qaida sanctuary. The report called
the 42 percent figure a historic high.... Afghan civilian
casualties in 2015, as counted by the U.N. Assistance Mission in
Afghanistan, hit the highest level since the U.N. group began
systematic documentation in 2009, the Pentagon said. It said the
number continued to rise in the first half of this year. "As
fighting and suicide attacks have increased in more populated
areas, the number of women and children included among the
civilian casualties has also increased," the report said.
Turkish police use rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse
protest against attack on Radiohead fans for ‘listening to music
during Ramadan’
The Independent -Turkish police have fired tear gas and rubber
bullets at a crowd protesting an attack on Radiohead fans for
listening to music and drinking beer during Ramadan, it has been
reported. The attackers, who have not been identified and are
said to have totalled several hundreds, were reportedly angry
that people were consuming alcohol and listening to music during
the holy month. They reportedly forcibly entered the Velvet
Indieground music shop in Istanbul where a Radiohead listening
party was being held, before beating people with pipes, Al
Jazeera reports. The protest was organized in response to the
attacks. Those taking part shouted “Shoulder to shoulder against
facism” while marching. Skirmishes broke out between police and
protesters, after which multiple arrests were reportedly made.
Armed Man Opens Fire Inside Venezuela's Central Bank
EPJ - An armed man opened fire inside Venezuela's central bank
earlier today. He wounded two people and was shot dead, sources
at the institution said, according to Reuters. "The attacker, a
young guy, came in with a briefcase and fired shots and said he
had a bomb," said one bank employee, who added two people had
been injured. "He went up to the second floor where the
macroeconomic accounts are and he was shot down there." The
central bank said on Twitter an "irregular situation" in the
institution's financial tower had been controlled. The socialist
economic collapse that is destroying the country continues.
Rio Gets $900M Emergency Disbursement From Gov't for Olympics
The New American - A “special imbursement” of some $900 million
is being provided to shore up security for the estimated 500,000
people expected to attend the two Games in August and September.
It will also be enough to complete the metro system upgrade
necessary to reduce traffic congestion just in time for the
Games to begin. The total cost of the Olympics, at last count,
is expected to exceed $30 billion, with a large portion to be
laid on the backs of Brazilian taxpayers already suffering from
high unemployment and inflation. This could be a vast
understatement, however, as British taxpayers discovered when
all the bills were in for London’s 2012 Summer Olympics. That
event cost every man, woman, and child on the British Isle $315.
Those games cost $14 billion — half of the upcoming Games in
Rio, but twice original estimates.
Fukushima rice to be sold in Britain
RT - A total of 1.9 tons of Fukushima rice called Ten no Tsubu
will be sold in London, making the UK the first EU nation to
import the region’s produce after the nuclear disaster. The sale
became possible after a long campaign from Fukushima natives in
London to fend off rumors about the potential danger of the
crops, the media said. “With the UK as a foothold, we hope to
expand the sale of prefecture-produced rice to other EU member
countries,” said Nobuo Ohashi from Japanese farmers group
Zen-Noh. Brussels requires rice from Fukushima to undergo a
radiation test in Japan or the importer country. “It’s bright
news for Fukushima, which has been struggling with the import
restrictions. We will make further efforts so the restrictions
will be lifted entirely,” said a spokesperson for a prefectural
office.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
The FBI, Not “ISIS,” Radicalized the Orlando
Shooter
Tony Cartalucci - USA TODAY‘s TC Palm reports in an article
titled, “Exclusive: PGA Village residents want answers from
security firm,” that (emphasis added): The FBI launched an
investigation into Mateen after Sheriff’s Office officials
reported the incident to the agency. As part of its
investigation, the FBI examined Mateen’s travel history, phone
records, acquaintances and even planted a confidential informant
in the courthouse to “lure Omar into some kind of act and Omar
did not bite,” Mascara said. The FBI concluded Mateen was not a
threat after that, Mascara said…. This is in line with the FBI’s
practice of approaching and entrapping potential terror suspects
by posing as terrorists themselves and aiding and abetting them
in the planning and preparations for high-profile attacks. In
addition to the FBI’s undercover operation, it is now also
revealed that Mateen frequented the website of another FBI/CIA
informant, Marcus Dwayne Robertson, a former US Marine, turned
bank robber, turned US government informant…. According to Fox
News, Omar Mateen… was a student of Marcus Robertson, an
Orlando-based radical Muslim who once served as a bodyguard to
Omar Abdel Rahman — the notorious “Blind Sheikh” whom I
prosecuted for terrorism crimes in the early to mid 1990s.
FBI Still Concealing Almost All of What the Orlando Gunman Said
The Intercept - ... last week, the FBI on Monday refused to
release the audio or a full transcript of the gunman’s phone
conversations with the police during the attack. The FBI instead
published a written timeline of the attack, which included a
redacted transcript of one conversation between Mateen and a 911
operator, and a partial summary of what he said in three further
calls with the Orlando Police Department crisis negotiators that
lasted 28 minutes in total.... Later on Monday, after that
redaction was widely criticized, the FBI reversed itself,
issuing an unredacted transcript revealing what had been
removed.... However, based on a previous description of Mateen’s
911 calls given by FBI Director James Comey last week, it
appears that the federal investigators continued to withhold
details of a second conversation Mateen had with the 911
operator, which was not referred to at all in the government’s
timeline.... 'There were three total calls.”.... Whatever the
reasoning, the decision to withhold the audio and a complete
transcript only seemed to encourage speculation online, and in
the political arena, that the investigators might be concealing
something.
DOJ Replaces ‘Allah’ With ‘God’ in Edited Orlando Terrorist
Transcript
Kit Daniels - The Justice Department replaced references to
‘Allah’ with ‘God’ in an edited transcript of the 911 call
Orlando jihadi Omar Mateen made during the Pulse night club
attack. During the call, Omar Mateen made an Islamic prayer in
which he said: Praise be to Allah, and prayers as well as peace
be upon the prophet of Allah [in Arabic]. I let you know, I’m in
Orlando and I did the shootings. In comparison, the edited DOJ
transcript says: Praise be to God, and prayers as well as peace
be upon the prophet of God [in Arabic]. I let you know, I’m in
Orlando and I did the shootings. It’s obvious the Obama
administration is doing everything it can to downplay the
Islamic connection to the attack, all while demonizing
Christians and gun owners.
Report: Three Syrian “Refugees” Rape Little Girl at Knifepoint
in Idaho
Paul Joseph Watson - Three Syrian refugees reportedly raped a
little girl at knifepoint in Idaho before urinating on her body,
an incident that prompted furious residents to accuse Twin Falls
city council members of covering up the assault. The sexual
assault allegedly took place on June 2, but has received
virtually no media attention aside from one vague KMVT report.
However, residents have been circulating what really happened on
social media, with the Creeping Sharia blog reporting that the
victim was a young girl who was born premature and is “less
developed for her age”. The perpetrators were three Syrian
youths aged 8, 10 and 13, with the oldest boy directing the
assault. The little girl was playing outside Fawnbrook apartment
buildings when the boys put a knife to her throat and forced her
inside a laundry unit. She was then stripped naked, raped and
urinated on. The 13-year-old reportedly told the younger boys to
urinate on her because they were incapable of ejaculating. The
victim’s grandmother found the victim and then called the girl’s
mother, who called the police. The police took 2 and a half
hours to arrive but were unable to take any action due to the
“language barrier”. When she arrived, the mother of the alleged
rapists was only able to say “no police,” while the father
reportedly congratulated his 13-year-old son. Video of the
entire assault was captured on the boy’s cellphone. A follow-up
KMTV report revealed that, “the case has officially been sealed
by a judge with no chance of it ever being unsealed since all
parties involved are minors.”
Senate fails to pass new gun control restrictions in wake of
Orlando shooting
The Guardian - Democrats and Republicans had put forth competing
amendments to both strengthen background checks and prevent
suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms. But all four
bills fell short of the 60 votes needed to clear a procedural
hurdle in the Senate, in a near replica of a vote held in
December when a pair of shooters killed 14 people and wounded 22
more in San Bernardino, California.... The chamber first voted
on dueling proposals related to the federal background checks
systems. The Republican amendment, which aimed to pour more
resources into prosecuting violations of the current background
checks system but did not expand it in any way, fell short by a
vote of 53-47. The Democratic alternative, which would have
required background checks for all gun sales except for gifts
and loans between immediate family members, failed by a vote of
44-56. A proposal by Democrats that would have barred the sale
of firearms to all individuals on the terror watch list failed
to advance in a 47-53 vote. The Republican amendment, which
would have enabled the justice department to delay an individual
on the FBI terror watch list from completing a gun purchase for
a period of 72 hours, was voted down 53-47. The Republican plan,
backed by the NRA, would have required the attorney general to
prove to a judge that there was probable cause for the firearm
sale to be denied.
Supreme Court upholds N.Y., Conn. bans on semi-automatic weapons
by not hearing appeals
Breitbart - The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear appeals of
state bans on semi-automatic weapons in New York and Connecticut
amid resurgent debates on gun control following the Orlando
massacre. The Court’s decision to not hear the two appeals —
Shew v. Malloy and Kampfer v. Cuomo — upholds federal appeals
court rulings in which judges found that the bans were
constitutional. Connecticut’s semi-automatic weapon ban was
signed into law on April 2013, four months after the Sandy Hook
massacre in which 20 children and six school employees were
killed by Adam Lanza. The law expanded an existing ban by
outlawing dozens of rifle models able to hold high-capacity
ammunition.... California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Jersey, Connecticut and New York have variations of assault
weapons bans.
Tax Foundation: ‘It Takes America 8.9 Billion Hours to Comply
with IRS Paperwork’
CNS News - According to the Tax Foundation, it will take
Americans 8.9 billion hours to comply with IRS tax-filing rules
in 2016, which equals a compliance cost of about $409 billion.
In addition, the Tax Foundation reported that the U.S. tax code
has grown from 409,000 words in 1955 to 2.4 million in 2015 – an
increase of 486%. The 8.9 billion hours of tax-filing, added the
Tax Foundation, “is equal to nearly 4.3 million full-time
workers doing nothing but tax return paperwork.” Also, the $409
billion loss to the U.S. economy in IRS compliance is greater
than the gross product of 36 states. The Tax Foundation further
reported that estate and gift taxes generate $20 billion
annually for the U.S. government, but the opportunity cost of
compliance is $19.6 billion, which reduces the net value of
those taxes to only $4 million.
SC Bill to Teach Founding Principles in Public Schools
The Daily Signal - The South Carolina Founding Principles Act
requires the study of the United States Constitution, the
Federalist Papers, and “the structure of the government and the
role of separation of powers and the freedoms guaranteed by the
Bill of Rights” to be added into statewide social studies
programs. This bill, signed June 1, reinforces South Carolina’s
Section 59-29-120 that required all public education students,
both in high school and in college, to pass a test after a
year-long class on the founding documents and principles.
Trump Fires Corey Lewandowski
Kit Daniels - “The Donald J. Trump Campaign for President, which
has set a historic record in the Republican Primary having
received almost 14 million votes, has today announced that Corey
Lewandowski will no longer be working with the campaign,”
staffer Hope Hicks said in a statement Monday…. In early April,
Trump was reportedly angry at how campaign operatives led by
Lewandowski were slow to protect his delegates from Cruz.
Lewandowski also apparently burnt bridges with many of the
reporters covering Trump’s campaign as well as Republican
National Committee insiders, but what may have triggered his
departure was conflict with Trump’s chief strategist Paul
Manafort. Trump hired Manafort in March to take over many of the
duties previously handled by Lewandowski, with Manafort
reporting directly to Trump, not Lewandowski…. Manafort was also
responsible for hiring veteran pollster Tony Fabrizio, a
libertarian who worked for Rand Paul’s campaign, whereas
Lewandowski wanted to hire Ted Cruz’s former pollster Kelly Ann
Conway.
Paul Ryan to Hold Fundraiser With Apple’s Tim Cook After Cook
Blocks Assistance to GOP Convention
The Gateway Pundit - If you were not yet convinced Paul Ryan is
supporting Hillary Clinton this year, read this… Politico
reported: Apple CEO Tim Cook will host a fundraiser with House
Speaker Paul Ryan next week as the iPhone maker tries to
strengthen its relationships with key Republicans — despite its
decision to pull support for the GOP convention because of its
distaste for Donald Trump. Cook will help generate cash for Ryan
at a private breakfast on June 28 in Menlo Park, Calif., along
with Gary Wipfler, the company’s treasurer, according to an
invite obtained by POLITICO on Monday. The money benefits not
only the speaker but a joint fundraising committee aimed at
helping to elect other House Republicans.
"People Are Expecting A Brawl" - Trump/Clinton Debates Likely
Most-Watched Ever
Zero Hedge - The back and forth between Clinton and The Donald
have created an environment where people are genuinely excited
to tune in and find out what a live televised debate will bring.
"People are expecting a brawl. Nothing attracts viewers like a
brawl" said Allen Adamson, a former branding executive. "No
one's going to want to be at a dinner party and not have an
opinion on who hit the knockout punch" Adamson concluded.... The
most watched presidential debate thus far was the Reagan-Carter
debate in 1980, which drew 81 million viewers Bloomberg reports,
with no other debate coming close to that number since.... Even
those outside of the US are looking forward to the debates.
Joshua Castillo, an engineering student in Mexico City says
Mexicans will be watching, fascinated as never before by the US
presidential politics (said otherwise, fascinated by whether or
not a US president will be elected that claims a wall will be
built and illegal immigration rules enforced). In Moscow,
Dmitriy Kosmodemiyanskiy, a money manager at Otkritie Asset
Management says that "Russians are very interested", even though
it will mean getting up at 4am. Tristan Averett, an American who
runs a consulting firm in Lisbon is even planning on having
slumber parties to watch the debates, which will air at 2am
local time.
Air Force veteran dragged from flag-folding ceremony for
speech referencing 'God'
Washington Times - Oscar Rodriguez, a 33-year Air Force veteran,
was invited to speak at the April flag-folding ceremony by
retiring Master Sgt. Charles Roberson, who heard Mr. Rodriguez
deliver the speech one month prior and wanted it performed at
his own retirement ceremony. But when Mr. Rodriguez stood up to
deliver the remarks, which included references to God, he was
approached by several uniformed attendees, who grabbed him and
dragged him out of the room. He was later ordered off the base.
Mr. Rodriguez retained the First Liberty Institute, the nation’s
largest legal organization dedicated to upholding religious
liberty, to represent him in potential legal action against the
Air Force. First Liberty sent a letter Monday to the Air Force
and to the commander at Travis Air Force Base, demanding an
apology and threatening to take legal action on Mr. Rodriguez’s
behalf.... Attorneys for First Liberty asked for a response by
June 27, or they would “pursue all available legal options.” The
standard flag-folding oration was updated by the Pentagon in
2006 to remove any references to the almighty, but many service
members still prefer the traditional version and request it at
their retirement ceremonies. The traditional version closes
with, “God bless our flag. God bless our troops. God bless
America.”
Blackout: California In Power Grid Emergency: “All Customers Should
Expect 14 Days Without Power”
Mac Slavo - The entire Los Angeles metropolitan area and most of
Southern California can expect blackouts this summer. The power grid is
under direct threat as a result of the unprecedented, but little
reported, massive natural gas leaks at Alisco Canyon that was ongoing
for four months as an intense summer heat wave sets in. According to
Reuters: California will have its first test of plans to keep the lights
on this summer… With record-setting heat and air conditioning demand
expected in Southern California, the state’s power grid operator issued
a so-called “flex alert,” urging consumers to conserve energy to help
prevent rotating power outages – which could occur regardless.
Electricity demand is expected to rise during the unseasonable heatwave
on Monday and Tuesday, with forecast system-wide use expected to top
45,000 megawatts, said the California Independent System Operator (ISO),
which manages electricity flow through the state. That compares with a
peak demand of 47,358 MW last year and the all-time high of 50,270 MW
set in July 2006. That could put stress on the power grid, particularly
with the shut-in of Aliso Canyon, following a massive leak at the
underground storage facility in October [Editor’s Note: which was not
stopped fully until mid-February 2016].
Hot Mess: States Struggle to Deal with Radioactive Fracking Waste
Common Dreams - ... the rise of hydraulic fracturing over the past
decade has created another boom: tons of radioactive materials experts
call an “orphan” waste stream. No federal agency fully regulates oil and
gas drilling byproducts — which include brine, sludge, rock and soiled
equipment — leaving tracking and handling to states that may be
reluctant to alienate energy interests.... An analysis by the Center for
Public Integrity shows that states are struggling to keep pace with this
waste stream, relying largely on industry to self-report and
self-regulate. States have also been slow to assess and curb risks from
exposure to the waste, which can remain radioactive for millennia....
The four states in the Marcellus [Shale] are taking different approaches
to the problem; none has it under control. Pennsylvania has increasingly
restricted disposal of drilling waste, while West Virginia allows some
landfills to take unlimited amounts. Ohio has yet to formalize waste
rules, despite starting the process in 2013. New York, which banned
fracking, accepts drilling waste with little oversight. Inconsistencies
have raised concerns among regulators and activists that waste is being
“shopped around” by companies seeking the path of least resistance, or
unsafely reused.... While radiation emitted from fracking waste may pale
in comparison to that from nuclear power plant waste, Nadia Steinzor [of
the environmental group Earthworks] said regulators don’t know the
cumulative impacts of landfilling the loads over time.
Greenpeace co-founder argues rising emissions are saving planet, not
destroying it
Washington Times - Mr. Moore, a Greenpeace turncoat who now challenges
the catastrophic climate-change narrative, said in a treatise that
carbon-dioxide levels in the atmosphere dipped so low about 18,000 years
ago that plant life was threatened. “All life is carbon based and the
primary source of this carbon is the CO2 in the global atmosphere,” Mr.
Moore said in his executive summary. “As recently as 18,000 years ago,
at the height of the most recent major glaciation, CO2 dipped to its
lowest level in recorded history at 180 ppm, low enough to stunt plant
growth.” At about 150 ppm, plant life dies due to carbon dioxide
starvation, he said in his paper, “The Positive Impact of Human CO2
Emissions on the Survival of Life on Earth,” released Monday by the
Canada-based Frontier Centre for Public Policy. “It is calculated that
if the decline in CO2 levels were to continue at the same rate as it has
over the past 140 million years, life on Earth would begin to die as
soon as two million years from now and would slowly perish almost
entirely as carbon continued to be lost to the deep ocean sediments,”
according to the summary. “The combustion of fossil fuels for energy to
power human civilization has reversed the downward trend in CO2 and
promises to bring it back to levels that are likely to foster a
considerable increase in the growth rate and biomass of plants,
including food crops and trees,” the study says.
What Could Go Wrong? Crime Fighting
Robots Now Equipped with Self-Defense
The Free Thought Project - Now, robots which, say, patrol for criminal
or suspicious activity come with a blend of humanoid characteristics and
self-defense programs which prevent them from being perceived as too
cute — or too menacing.... After several failed design attempts to find
the appropriate balance between relatable and threatening — and a number
of incidents in which robots faced ‘abuse’ or ‘assault’ by humans —
newer robots employ self-defense capabilities.... Experts on the
interaction between humans and their new mechanical counterparts
observed “robot abuse” in action in Okinawa, Japan, in 2014, when robots
designed to assist the elderly in purchasing groceries came under attack
by children, who kicked it, beat it with a bottle and bent its neck....
Those experiments led, in part, to robots with human-like facial
features that can also employ defensive tactics if someone gets spooked
or wishes to cause harm. Instead of reacting as if they’re being hurt,
some newer robots have been designed to simply stop moving altogether —
in theory, to cause attackers to lose interest.... While the world might
not be quite ready for armed robots-on-patrol, it would be a question
worth considering as designs improve and people become familiarized to
their presence.
China Is Crushing The U.S. In The Supercomputer Race
Vocativ - China is now home to the world’s most powerful supercomputer
for the fourth year in a row. Intended to be used for manufacturing and
the modeling of earth systems, the new Sunway TaihuLight is capable of
performing 93,000 trillion calculations per second—more than five times
faster than the closest competitor owned and operated by the U.S.... At
the end of 2008, all of the top ten supercomputers on the planet were
American. But the country’s record has slid significantly, with its last
number one slot occurring in 2012. Now, China is the nation to beat,
with both the highest and second highest performing systems in
existence, according to the TOP500 List.... Japan, which once accounted
for almost half of the top ten, now barely keeps in touch. European
players are near the top ten, with the likes of Switzerland’s
Supercomputer Centre housing machines that do calculations for CERN.
Saudi Arabia has made the top ten for the last two years thanks to new
supercomputer which will crunch, along with other subjects, oil and gas
data.... In addition to having the best of the bunch, China also has the
most supercomputers in the top 500 list—a total of 167 compared to 165
in the U.S. It’s the first time China has edged out the U.S. in this
regard.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
VIDEO: New MacDonald
Only Organic - Watch as these kids show what makes organic
farming the choice for the future in a surprising twist on a
classic children’s song. It's time to say goodbye to Old
MacDonald. When you choose Organic you are choosing a future
with less toxic chemicals in our food and environment. Share
this video with a friend and help us build a healthier future
for all of us, free of added hormones, antibiotics, GMOs and
toxic pesticides.
FDA Approves Stomach Pump Device for Weight Loss
Natural Society - On Tuesday, the FDA approved a stomach pump,
described by some as a “reverse feeding tube,” to help people
lose weight. The strange weight-loss device is basically an
external pump that dumps part of the stomach contents into the
toilet. The AspireAssist device is approved for use in
morbidly-obese people, and helps them lose an average of 12% of
body weight, which is significantly more than pills or most
diet. AspireAssist is considered minimally-invasive and includes
a tube that goes from the inside of the stomach to a port on the
outside of the abdomen. Patients can attach the pump to the
outside port as needed to remove about 1/3 of the stomach’s
contents at a time. If you can’t handle the sight of vomit, this
might not be the device for you…. Dumping the stomach’s contents
before they can be absorbed by the body…wait, isn’t there
already a “weight-loss method” like that? This sounds an awful
lot like bulimia. I’m not alone in that assessment. In fact,
some experts are very disturbed that the FDA agreed to approve a
device that, they say, is the equivalent of “assisted bulimia.”
Even the FDA sees the potential danger.
Clover: The ‘Annoying’ Little Weed That Is Edible, Tasty, And
Nutritious, Too
Off the Grid News - Native Americans ate clover raw, or steamed
large quantities of fresh, moist leaves between two hot stones.
The roots, when dried, were dipped in meat drippings or oil. The
dried seed pods and flowers were ground into powder and
sprinkled on food or used to make bread. There are several dozen
species of clover with charming names like sweet kitty clover,
meadow honeysuckle clove, peavine clover and cowgrass clover.
But white clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium
pratense) are most familiar. Both are edible and packed with
beta-carotene, protein and a variety of beneficial vitamins and
minerals…. Red clover, which is believed to be slightly more
nutritious than white clover, is a robust plant that can reach a
height of 24 inches. It has a taproot. White clover is a smaller
plant that spreads by rhizomes. There are no particular tricks
when it comes to integrating clover into your diet. The key is
to keep it simple. For example, eat the blooms and leaves raw or
dip them in a little salty water. You also can toss a few leaves
or blooms into salads, soup or stir fries. Many people claim
that clover (a member of the pea family) is more flavorful and
easier to digest after it’s been boiled for five or 10 minutes,
but you may have your own ideas.
Try This Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric-Coconut Bedtime Drink for
Better Digestion
Natural News Blogs - Nearly everyone has experienced the
unpleasant sensation of feeling overly full or having an upset
stomach at bedtime. This is particularly a possibility if the
evening meal has been heavy or rich in nature. This poor bedtime
digestion can lead to a number of problems, including reflux,
heartburn or interrupted sleep. Fortunately, there are ways to
help treat this problem naturally…. Ingredients: 2 cups coconut
milk, 1 teaspoon turmeric, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1-inch piece
of sliced ginger root [and] Honey to taste. Add all ingredients
except the honey together in a bowl and whisk together. Pour
into a saucepan and heat until it is at a low boiling and
bubbling. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes.
Strain out the ginger root, add the honey and enjoy while warm.
This is not a difficult recipe to make. But it is delicious, the
creaminess of the coconut blending well with the spice of
turmeric and the sweetness of honey.
Monday - June
20, 2016 - Today in History:
1782 - The U.S. Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States.
1793 - Eli Whitney applied for a cotton gin patent. He received the
patent on March 14. The cotton gin initiated the American
mass-production concept.
1863 - West Virginia became the 35th state to join the U.S.
1863 - The National Bank of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA, became the
first bank to receive a charter from the U.S. Congress.
1898 - The U.S. Navy seized the island of Guam enroute to the
Philippines to fight the Spanish.
1923 - France announced it would seize the Rhineland to assist Germany
in paying its war debts.
1941 - The U.S. Army Air Forces was established, replacing the Army Air
Corps. The Army Air Forces were abolished with the creation of the
United States Air Force in 1947.
1943 - Race-related rioting erupted in Detroit. Federal troops were sent
in two days later to end the violence that left more than 30 dead.
1947 - Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel was murdered in Beverly Hills, CA, at the
order of mob associates angered over the soaring costs of his project,
the Flamingo resort in Las Vegas, NV.
1955 - The AFL and CIO agreed to combine names and a merge into a single
group.
1963 - The United States and Soviet Union signed an agreement to set up
a hot line communication link between the two countries.
1977 - The Trans-Alaska Pipeline began operation.
1979 - ABC News correspondent Bill Stewart was shot to death in Managua,
Nicaragua, by a member of President Anastasio Somoza's national guard.
1983 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employers must treat male and
female workers equally in providing health benefits for their spouses.
1997 - The tobacco industry agreed to a massive settlement in exchange
for major relief from mounting lawsuits and legal bills.
2001 - Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants) hit his 38th home run of the
season. The home run broke the major league baseball record for homers
before the midseason All-Star break.
2002 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the execution of mentally
retarded murderers was unconstitutionally cruel. The vote was 6 in favor
and 3 against.
First Brexit Poll After Jo Cox Death Reveals Stunning Result
Zero Hedge - Before the assassination of British MP Jo Cox, the
"Leave" campaign had been surging in recent polls... as USA
Today reports, the first post-Cox poll reveals a shocking swing
in "Remain" voters... Qriously, a London-based technology
start-up that gathers data and intelligence about consumers
through mobile phone apps, found that backing among likely
voters for Britain's EU membership has dropped to 32% from 40%
before her death. The poll was based on 1,992 British adults
surveyed on June 13-16, and then 1,002 on June 17 — the day
after Cox was shot and killed in northern England. The start-up
claims to have held the first such survey on the topic since the
lawmaker's slaying. Most of Qriously’s surveys are done for
corporate brands and it has not been previously conducted an EU
referendum poll.
Switzerland Withdraws Application To Join EU: Only "Lunatics May
Want To Join Now"
Zero Hedge - Resentment toward the EU hit a new high yesterday
when the upper house of the Swiss parliament on Wednesday
followed in the footsteps of Iceland, and voted to invalidate
its 1992 application to join the European Union, backing an
earlier decision by the lower house.... Thomas Minder,
counsellor for the state of Schaffhausen and an active promoter
of the concept of “Swissness,” said he was eager to “close the
topic fast and painlessly” as only “a few lunatics” may want to
join the EU now, he told the newspaper.... To be sure,
Switzerland’s longstanding application to join the EU has not
had a significant impact on the country’s politics for more than
20 years, as its accession negotiations have been suspended
since 1992 in the wake of a referendum to join the European
Economic Area, when the Swiss voted down the idea of closer ties
with the EU. Coming one week before the Brexit referendum it
will be seen as highly symbolic, however, and may give further
impetus to the Leave campaign.
One of biggest protests in 2 decades: Over 50,000 Okinawans
gather for anti-US military rally
RT - The rally, which organizers said numbered more than 65,000
– including Governor Takeshi Onaga and officials from opposition
parties – has taken place in Okinawa’s capital Naha located in
close proximity to US air bases Kadena and Futenma. Simultaneous
solidarity protest took place outside the national parliament in
Tokyo. The demonstrators were protesting against heavy US
military presence and grave crimes repeatedly committed by
servicemen against the residents. In the most recent case that
resonated amongst the locals, a 20-year-old woman has been
murdered by an ex-Marine employed as civil worker at the US
military base.... Demonstrators have also protested plans by
Washington and Tokyo to move a major US Marine base from the
center of the island to pristine waters off Okinawa’s northern
coast. Okinawa's Governor Takeshi Onaga, who has spoken at the
Naha protest, argues against the plan and wants the base to be
removed from Okinawa completely.
UN Demands Bigger, Stronger UN “Police” Force
New American - …the United Nations is launching a major push to
expand and further empower its UN “police” force known as UNPOL.
At the same time, the controversial global organization is
working to usurp more influence over national police forces,
with the UN bringing together more than 100 national police
chiefs this month at what is its first-ever UN “Chiefs of Police
Summit” (UN COPS). The scheming comes less than two years after
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on local police forces
in the United States to comply with what he cryptically referred
to as “international standards. At the center of the UN’s
efforts to empower its self-styled “Police” force is a new
report commissioned by the UN … In reality, the [UN] Police
Division’s current capacity and resourcing is insufficient and
has not kept pace with the increased tasks and complexity of
police mandates in peace operations,” the report claimed…. The
report also called for upgrading the UN’s “Police Adviser”
bureaucrat to “Assistant Secretary-General” status. Finally, the
document called for the roll-out of a “strategic framework” that
envisions UN police serving as a “substitute for local police,”
“helping secure elections,” and even fighting “crime and violent
extremism.” The UN has also proudly launched a global war on
“ideologies,” including “anti-Muslim bigotry.”
Rio Declares State Of "Public Calamity", Warns Of Total Collapse
In Security, Health And Transport
Zero Hedge - ... just 49 days before the start of the Olympics,
the Rio state government declared a state of "public calamity"
(yes, that's the technical term) warning of a risk of total
collapse in public security, health, transport and virtually
everything else, because as the local government explained, the
financial crisis is preventing it from fulfilling its
requirements for the Games. In other words, the money is gone...
as a result of the ongoing economic and now political
catastrophe in the country, the 2016 Oympics may never even
happen in the country gripped by what may be the worst
depression in its history. Oh, and then the whole Zika thing....
Finally, by declaring a state of public calamity, the state
government of Rio de Janeiro aims to get access to federal cash.
The question is whether there is any left.
No food, no teachers, violence in failing Venezuela schools
Washington Times - The soaring crime and economic chaos stalking
Venezuela is also ripping apart a once up-and-coming school
system.... Officially, Venezuela has canceled 16 school days
since December, including Friday classes because of an energy
crisis. In reality, Venezuelan children have missed an average
of 40 percent of class time, a parent group estimates, as a
third of teachers skip work on any given day to wait in food
lines...so many students have fainted from hunger that
administrators told parents to keep their children home if they
have no food. And while the school locks its gate each morning,
armed robbers, often teens themselves, still manage to break in
and stick up kids... As many as 40 percent of teachers skip
class on any given day to wait in food lines that snake through
Caracas like spider veins, according to the Venezuela Teacher’s
Federation. School director Helena Porras has asked nearby
supermarkets to let teachers cut in line. And she’s disciplined
staff for selling students passing grades in exchange for scarce
goods like milk and flour.... As food grows scarce, schools have
reported dozens of cafeteria robberies. This month, thieves beat
a security guard to death at one school so they could make off
with the cafeteria’s food. That leaves children with nothing to
eat at home or in school. A quarter of Venezuelan children
missed class this year because of hunger, according to the
national research group Foundation Bengoa.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Obama effectively restarts Afghanistan combat operations a year
after officially ending them
Washington Times - White House officials have given the
administration’s tacit approval to allow U.S. commanders in
Afghanistan to conduct offensive airstrikes against the Taliban
and other insurgent groups and to let American troops restart
joint ground operations with Afghan forces. The changes were
based on the findings of a three-month review of the situation
in Afghanistan, which was overseen by Gen. John Nicholson, the
top U.S. commander there, and submitted to Pentagon and White
House officials this month. Before the changes made at Gen.
Nicholson’s behest, American air power was authorized only when
U.S. forces were under direct threat and American combat
missions in the country were limited to special operations
teams.... The White House planned to reduce U.S. troop numbers
from the current 9,800 to 5,500 by the end of this year, with
the ultimate goal of a full troop withdrawal by the end of next
year. That plan, however, relied heavily on Afghan forces’
ability to hold ground against the Taliban with little to no
American military support. But since the official end of U.S.
combat operations in the country, the Taliban have stepped up
their battle tempo significantly. After two fighting seasons on
their own, Afghan forces have ceded nearly 80 of Afghanistan’s
400-plus districts to Taliban control.
Computer Crash Wipes Out Years of Air Force Investigation
Records
Government Executive — A database that hosts files from the Air
Force’s inspector general and legislative liaison divisions
became corrupted last month, destroying data created between
2004 and now, service officials said. Neither the Air Force nor
Lockheed Martin, the defense firm that runs the database, could
say why it became corrupted or whether they’ll be able to
recover the information. Lockheed tried to recover the
information for two weeks before notifying the Air Force,
according to a service statement. The Air Force has begun asking
for assistance from cybersecurity professionals at the Pentagon
as well as from private contractors.... [Air Force spokeswoman]
Ann Stefanek said the ACTS system contains all sorts of personal
information, such as complaints, the findings of an
investigation, and any actions taken. The database also contains
records of congressional and constituent inquiries. The data
lost dates back to 2004. “[W]hen the system crashed, all those
historical records were lost,” she said. Data about current
investigations has also been lost, which is delaying them.
Lynch: "Partial Transcript" Of Orlando 911 Calls Will Have
References To Islamic Terrorism Removed
RealClear News - In an interview with NBC's Chuck Todd, Attorney
General Loretta Lynch says that on Monday, the FBI will release
edited transcripts of the 911 calls made by the Orlando
nightclub shooter to the police…. Transcript: LORETTA LYNCH:
“What we're announcing tomorrow is that the FBI is releasing a
partial transcript of the killer's calls with law enforcement,
from inside the club. These are the calls with the Orlando PD
negotiating team, who he was, where he was... that will be
coming out tomorrow and I'll be headed to Orlando on Tuesday.
CHUCK TODD: Including the hostage negotiation part of this?
LYNCH: Yes, it will be primarily a partial transcript of his
calls with the hostage negotiators. CHUCK TODD: You say partial,
what's being left out? LYNCH: What we're not going to do is
further proclaim this man's pledges of allegiance to terrorist
groups, and further his propaganda. CHUCK TODD: We're not going
to hear him talk about those things? LYNCH: We will hear him
talk about some of those things, but we are not going to hear
him make his assertions of allegiance and that. It will not be
audio, it will be a printed transcript. But it will begin to
capture the back and forth between him and the negotiators,
we're trying to get as much information about this investigation
out as possible. As you know, because the killer is dead, we
have a bit more leeway there and we will be producing that
information tomorrow.
Video: Media Casually Tours Orlando Shooter’s Apartment Only 24
Hrs After Shooting?
Melissa Dykes - Apparently the FBI accidentally left the doors
unlocked and the windows open to the shooter’s
apartment…allegedly a crime scene to the largest terror attack
since 9/11. I uploaded this video under the category
“entertainment” because it can’t possibly be news.
Florida Gun Store Owner Reveals He Called FBI on Orlando Killer
One Month Prior to Massacre
Activist Post - In an explosive revelation, a Florida gun store
owner revealed on Thursday that he had contacted the FBI about
Omar Mateen about a month before the Orlando nightclub shooter’s
bloody rampage — after the would-be killer attempted to purchase
body armor and a large amount of ammunition, according to The
Hill. Owner of Lotus Gunworks in Jensen Beach, Robert Abell,
said Mateen was turned away when he tried to purchase two types
of body armor the store did not carry, as well as 1,000 rounds
of ammunition. According to the report in The Hill: The store
contacted the FBI, which was also investigating a group of
Middle Eastern men buying police gear at the store. The men
turned out to be security guards. The FBI asked about Mateen’s
visit, but the store couldn’t provide any identifying details or
security camera footage. Store employees realized that the man
was Mateen after his picture circulated in the media in the wake
of the massacre that left 49 people dead. Mateen was killed by
police when they raided the nightclub.
Wayne State Drops Math Requirement, May Add Diversity
Requirement
Michigan Capitol Confidential - “We are proposing the creation
of specific ‘Diversity’ courses, with students required to take
one course in this designation,” said a document from the
General Education Reform Committee, which is recalibrating what
the university will expect from all students who earn a degree
from the state university. It released the proposal in May. The
committee report said, “These courses will provide opportunities
for students to explore diversity at the domestic level and
consider the ways in which it intersects with real world
challenges at the local, national and/or global level.” In
announcing the change in mathematics, the university said, "This
decision was made largely because the current (math) requirement
is at a level already required by most high school mathematics
curriculum.".... “Colleges and universities use general
education requirements to ensure that students learn the
subjects it deems most important,” [Executive Director of the
National Association of Scholars] Ashley Thorne said in an
email. “Wayne State University’s decision to drop math and add
diversity to its requirements reveals that its leaders do not
have their priorities straight.” “Mathematical ability is an
objective and practical skill that will serve students the rest
of their lives, which is why it has traditionally been a core
part of college curricula. ‘Diversity’ is not an academic
subject. It is a concept invented to classify people by their
social identities,” she said. “Focusing on individuals’ race,
ethnicity, sex, and sexuality in this way has been demonstrated
to lead to racial animus, segregation, stigmas, discrimination,
and poor academic performance. It also politicizes education.”
New Texas GOP Platform Takes on Texas Secretary of State and
Election Integrity
Raging Elephants Radio - The Texas GOP birthed a new and
improved, two hundred 2016 Texas Republican Platform on May13,
2016. The Platform now consists of 266 planks and one of them,
the Elections Integrity Plank No. 59, takes on the Texas
Secretary of State’s (SoS) Election Division and directs their
office to step up and better secure our Texas elections. The new
election language passed with an overwhelming 90% approval of
all convention delegates. The first major change to the election
plank #59 sets the expectation for the SoS: “We support the
Secretary of State strictly enforcing printing of Results Tapes
for electronic voting for early voting and Election Day at
polling locations after the polls close for all counties.” This
directive came about because many counties are receiving waivers
to election law related to computerized voting machines. Texans
are not happy with electronic voting machines according to Dr.
Laura Pressley, Ph.D. who has the first formal election contest
in the state with evidence of electronic voting computer
corruption in Texas—in Travis County.
Republican Operatives Launch All-Out Effort To Unbind The
Delegates And Deny Trump The Nomination
Economic Collapse - Over the past couple of days, the Washington
Post, CNN and a whole host of other mainstream news outlets have
been reporting on a new “last-ditch effort” that has been
launched by Republican operatives to get the Republican
convention Rules Committee to unbind all of the delegates and
allow them to vote however they want. As you will see below,
they can do this, and if they get enough votes they will do it.
This current effort is different from what we have seen so far
during this campaign season, because it is actually being
organized by the delegates themselves. This movement is being
spearheaded by a delegate from Colorado named Kendal Unruh. She
is actually a key member of the Republican convention Rules
Committee.... For her, it is not about getting some other
specific candidate nominated. Rather, the entire goal is simply
to stop Donald Trump… So could the Republican convention Rules
Committee actually do this?... As Time Magazine has explained,
the Republican convention Rules Committee essentially has the
power to make up any rules that they want. And thanks to
political wrangling by the Cruz campaign, we do know that the
rules committee is dominated by delegates that are loyal to
Cruz… The rule change that would unbind all of the delegates and
free them up to “vote their consciences” has already been
drafted.
Anti-Trump Protester Arrested After Trying to Take Police
Officer’s Gun at Vegas Rally
The Gateway Pundit - For some reason this didn’t make any
headlines? FOX News reported: Authorities in Las Vegas arrested
a 19-year-old man after he allegedly tried to disarm a police
officer at the Donald Trump presidential rally. Las Vegas Metro
police said Michael Sanford approached a uniformed officer and
started a conversation looking to get an autograph. Minutes into
the conversation, Sanford attempted to disarm the officer,
police said. Authorities said officers assigned to the rally
were able to take Sanford into custody with little disruption at
the venue. No other incidents or injuries were reported.
Former Navy SEAL Scott Taylor Defeats Pro-Obamatrade RINO in
Virginia Primary
The Gateway Pundit - Former US Navy SEAL and Virginia state Del.
Scott Taylor won the 2nd Congressional District Republican
primary Tuesday with a feisty grassroots campaign after being
outspent almost 10-to-1 by U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes, a eight-term
legislator who was trying to move from his home district to a
supposedly friendlier one nearby. His support for Obamatrade
cost Rep. Forbes his seat in the US House.
VA Abandons Use of Law Allowing Expedited Firing of Its
Executives
AllGov - The Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer use
its authority to fire senior executives in an expedited manner —
dropping a key portion of a law Congress passed two years ago in
response to a nationwide scandal over long wait times for
veterans seeking medical care. Deputy VA Secretary Sloan Gibson
said the agency was forced to abandon the new authority after
the Justice Department said it would no longer defend the
provision in court. "Under these circumstances, I believe it
would be irresponsible to continue using that authority when
other methods for disciplining senior executives exist," Gibson
said late Friday. Using the expedited authority against Justice
Department advice "would only hinder VA's ability to hold senior
officials accountable...and make those actions stick," Gibson
said.... "Everyone knows VA isn't very good at disciplining
employees, but this decision calls into question whether
department leaders are even interested in doing so," said Rep.
Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House veterans panel.
Veterans Who Died from Agent Orange Exposure Honored at Vietnam
War Memorial
Breitbart - The names of 312 Vietnam War veterans who died from
exposure to Agent Orange were added to the rolls at the Vietnam
Veterans War Memorial on Saturday. Family members of the
deceased veterans were on hand to receive a recognition plaque
and place photos of their loved ones at the base of the memorial
wall of names. The ceremony took place on the grounds of the
National Mall just outside The Wall of the Vietnam Veterans War
Memorial on Saturday.... “We are adding 312 names to the rolls
and database of Vietnam Veterans who have died,” the volunteer
said. “They won’t be added to the actual wall, but their names
will be recorded for posterity.” “There are 58,315 names on the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial; names of men and women who died on
the battlefield of the Vietnam War,” Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Fund President and CEO Jim Knotts said in a statement obtained
by Breitbart Texas. “Those men and women are honored on a daily
basis by everyone who sees The Wall.” “There are many thousands
more who died as a result of the Vietnam War, but their deaths
do not fit the Department of Defense criteria for inclusion on
The Wall. VVMF’s In Memory program honors those veterans, many
of whom came home to fight a whole new battle and never fully
recovered either physically or emotionally. It is our duty to
make sure their sacrifice is never forgotten,” he explained. The
Department of Defense only allows names to be added to The Wall
of veterans who have died from wounds sustained during the war.
They are not allowing the addition of the nearly 3,000 Vietnam
War veterans who died from exposure to Agent Orange related
illnesses, The Duluth News Tribune reported.
Wall Street rocked by $8 billion hedge fund implosion
Hang The Bankers - Visium Asset Management, a multibillion
dollar hedge fund, has imploded in the biggest scandal to hit
the industry in years. The fund told investors of its plan to
close in a letter Friday. It’s the most high-profile shutdown
since authorities forced Steve Cohen’s controversial SAC Capital
to close in 2013. A slew of factors — from a brewing
insider-trading scandal to a contentious investment by Visium’s
founder that rankled investors and staffers alike — led to
Visium’s demise. On top of all of that, Visium’s flagship fund
had been reporting dismal performance. Visium is selling one of
its better performing funds to AllianceBernstein, it said. Just
days before Visium announced the shut down, one of its top
portfolio managers — Sanjay Valvani — was charged with wire and
securities fraud. He is accused of using insider information
from a Food and Drug Administration Official to place trades on
drug companies ahead of key FDA decisions from about 2005
through 2011. Two other former Visium portfolio managers,
Christopher Plaford and Stefan Lumiere, were accused of
purposefully miscalculating the price of securities so that they
could charge investors inflated fees and mislead them about the
fund’s liquidity.
State Bans Third Party Solar to Protect Corporate Masters — Effectively
Killing Homegrown Renewable Energy
Natural Blaze - In January, we reported that Nevada’s public utility
company and their cohorts at the Public Utilities Commission killed the
sunny state’s solar industry with a 40% tax hike on solar customers. The
move drove two major solar companies out of the state, cut up to a
thousand jobs, sabotaged consumer investments in solar energy and
discouraged the off-grid movement. It’s part of a calculated effort by
investor-owned utilities and corporate front groups like the Koch-funded
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). North Carolina is one of
four states that actually ban third-party solar sales. Only “regulated
utilities” can sell electricity there, such as Duke Energy which enjoyed
$23.5 billion in revenue in 2015. The energy giant has campaigned
against bills that would benefit rooftop solar, as it threatens their
monopoly of producing and distributing energy in the state. Now, a
dispute between the state and the nonprofit North Carolina Waste
Awareness and Reduction Network (NC WARN) is exposing the dark
underbelly of government-corporate collusion.
Western Wildfires Triple in Size; Evacuations In 3 States
Weather Channel - Major wildfires burning across the West have consumed
tens of thousands of acres and forced evacuations in at least three
states. In New Mexico, one particular wildfire exploded in size on
Thursday. Dry conditions are hampering firefighting efforts in a region
that's expected to see dangerous and potentially deadly heat over the
weekend and into early next week…. The most extreme heat in the coming
days will be in the Desert Southwest where highs could climb to near 120
degrees, including in Phoenix, where it hasn't been that hot in more
than 20 years. A state of emergency has been declared as the Dog Head
Fire more than tripled to around 17,000 acres by Saturday morning,
forcing evacuations in the Manzano Mountains southeast of Albuquerque.
The sudden growth was attributed to dry conditions, hot temperatures and
afternoon winds…. The blaze has destroyed 24 single residences and 21
other minor structures as of Saturday, Inciweb reports.
Obama Falsely Links Fires to Climate Change at Yosemite
Breitbart - President Barack Obama used his visit to Yosemite National
Park on Saturday to tout his administration’s environmental record and
to warn Americans about the dangers of climate change — albeit with
false information. “Fires are raging across the west right now … all
while it’s still really early in the season,” he said in a speech at the
park, according to the Los Angeles Times. Obama joins California
Governor Jerry Brown in making a spurious connection between wildfires
and climate change that scientists have long since rejected…. Obama also
touted his administration’s record in expanding public lands and taking
regulatory actions, including enforcing the Endangered Species Act
(which many Californians blame for overzealous protection of the Delta
smelt at the expense of water allocations to farmers).
New Company Promises to Spy on Your Facebook Posts for Your Landlord
Activist Post - A new UK startup will “take a deep dive” into the
intimate details of people’s private lives by essentially strip-mining
data from their social media profiles — and then sell what’s unearthed
to just about anybody willing to pay. Score Assured, as the umbrella
company, will offer a suite of services to those desiring a more
personal insight into applicants’ lives across a number of different
sectors. Tenant Assured, for instance — marketed to landlords — is
already up and running. The next program to go live, Recruit Assured,
will target employers. “We’re trying to bring back a level of personal
relationship to the digital world so the right judgement can be made for
the right reason,” Score Assured co-founder Steve Thornhill told The
Verge.
American Medical Association Warns of Health and Safety Problems from
“White” LED Street Lights
Natural Blaze - Municipalities are replacing existing streetlights with
efficient and long-lasting LEDs to save money on energy and maintenance.
Although the streetlights are delivering these benefits, the AMA’s
stance reflects how important proper design of new technologies is and
the close connection between light and human health…. An incandescent
bulb has a color temperature of 2400K, which means it contains far less
blue and far more yellow and red wavelengths. Before electric light, we
burned wood and candles at night; this artificial light has a CT of
about 1800K, quite yellow/red and almost no blue. What we have now is
very different. The new “white” LED street lighting which is rapidly
being retrofitted in cities throughout the country has two problems,
according to the AMA. The first is discomfort and glare. Because LED
light is so concentrated and has high blue content, it can cause severe
glare, resulting in pupillary constriction in the eyes. Blue light
scatters more in the human eye than the longer wavelengths of yellow and
red, and sufficient levels can damage the retina. This can cause
problems seeing clearly for safe driving or walking at night…. In the
case of white LED light, it is estimated to be five times more effective
at suppressing melatonin at night than the high pressure sodium lamps
(given the same light output) which have been the mainstay of street
lighting for decades. Melatonin suppression is a marker of circadian
disruption, which includes disrupted sleep. Bright electric lighting can
also adversely affect wildlife by, for example, disturbing migratory
patterns of birds and some aquatic animals which nest on shore.
White House Warns: Start Stockpiling For ‘Long-Term Loss Of
Electric Power’
Off the Grid News - “For the first time since the demise of the
civil defense program of the Cold War, the federal government
has made one of the most significant modifications to its
emergency preparedness message,” wrote Manto, CEO of Instant
Access Networks LLC, a firm that produces solutions for EMP-protected
microgrids. “A three-day emergency kit is no longer sufficient
to prepare for emerging threats, whether coming from Earth or
from space.” Manto added, “Instead of implying that U.S.
communities can always count on being rescued from any disaster
in four days – requiring three days of food and water to stay
comfortable – the implication now is that local communities
might not always receive assistance for a much longer period of
time.” The new federal government strategy contains several
changes that Manto said are significant: “Complete an
all-hazards power outage response and recovery plan: for extreme
space weather events and the long-term loss of electric power
and cascading effects on other critical infrastructure sectors;
“Other low-frequency, high-impact events are also capable of
causing long-term power outages on a regional or national scale.
“The plan must include the Whole Communityand enable the
prioritization of core capabilities. “Develop and conduct
exercisesto improve and test Federal, State, regional, local and
industry-related space weather response and recovery plans:
Exercising plans and capturing lessons learned enables ongoing
improvement in event response and recovery capabilities.”
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Used as a Stabilizer in Vaccines
Health Impact News - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Excipient and Media Summary lists five
vaccines that contain monosodium glutamate: Adenovirus,
Influenza (FluMist) Quadrivalent, MMRV (ProQuad), Varicella (Varivax),
Zoster (Shingles–Zostavax). MSG is used as a stabilizer in
vaccines. Stabilizers are added to vaccines to help the vaccine
remain unchanged when it is exposed to heat, light, acidity or
humidity…. Russell Blaylock, MD, a board-certified neurosurgeon
and author of Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills has extensively
studied the effects of MSG on the brain. He identifies MSG an
excitotoxin. Excitotoxins are food and taste-enhancing chemicals
found in many food products. Aside from MSG, other excitotoxins
include hydrolyzed vegetable protein, aspartame (a food
sweetener sold on the market as NutraSweet) and cysteine.
Excitotoxins overstimulate certain neurons in the brain causing
them to continue firing until they tire themselves and die. This
overexcitement of neurons can cause brain damage of varying
degrees and can potentially trigger degenerative diseases such
as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease),
Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s, all of which develop
gradually.
Simple way to slash your risk of pancreatic cancer by up to 48
percent
(NaturalHealth365) Pancreatic cancer is very often quite
difficult to diagnose due to the fact that there aren’t any
simple, affordable screening tests available at this time for
finding it in the early, asymptomatic stages. It usually isn’t
detected until it’s too late.,,, Now, there is now exciting news
from a University of Pittsburgh study revealing far lower cancer
rates in persons who take key supplements. University of
Pittsburgh researchers have found a link between the vitamins B6
and choline and a lowered risk of pancreatic cancer. The
findings can be found in the publication Cancer Epidemiology,
Biomarkers and Prevention…. Among those patients who took the
most consistent and substantial amounts of vitamin B6, a 48
percent lowered risk of pancreatic cancer was demonstrated.
Persons who took the highest amounts of choline had a 33 percent
reduced risk of pancreatic cancer.
Drinking lemon ginger turmeric tea relieves pain while boosting
your immune system
(NaturalNews) Starting your day with lemon ginger turmeric tea
is an excellent way to give your body the daily love it needs.
It kick-starts digestion, fights inflammation, boosts the immune
system and helps to detoxify the liver and blood. It can be used
to treat a broad range of ailments, such as the common cold, a
sore throat, cough, seasonal allergies, fatigue, chronic pain,
irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive complaints.,,, Here
is a delicious spin on the old lemon water favorite which adds a
little bit more punch and healing nutrients to your daily life.
Ingredients (serves 1) 1 teaspoon fresh grated turmeric root (or
0.5 teaspoon turmeric powder), 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
root (or 0.5 teaspoon ginger powder), 2–3 twists black pepper
(to make the turmeric more bio-available), Juice of half a
lemon, 1–2 teaspoons raw honey (optional) [and] 1.5 cups
filtered water.
Woman Drinks 3 Liters of Water a Day and Looks Years Younger!
David Wolfe - Water lubricates your joints, protects your spinal
cord and regulates your body temperature. It is the only fluid
you could get away with drinking exclusively. It’s also one of
the only fluids you can drink three liters of per day and thrive
because of it. (Try that with Coke and you’ll die.)… #1 – Better
Looking Skin: A lot of people spend money on expensive acne
cleansers and anti-aging creams that either doesn’t work to
begin with or becomes ineffective over time. But drinking a lot
of water (y’know, like three liters) is the best way to flush
out toxins and hydrate your skin from the inside out. And the
best part? Its effectiveness is never going to wear off. You’ll
stay looking young and refreshed, with clear skin, as long as
you continue your water consumption habits. #2 – Weight Loss:
One of the reasons is that drinking large amounts of water helps
you feel fuller, increases your metabolic rate and helps turn
your stored fat into energy. #3 – Heart Disease Prevention: When
you get dehydrated, your blood gets thicker, which means that
your heart has to work extra hard to get your blood flowing
through your entire body. A study found that drinking plenty of
water can cut your chance of having a heart attack by as much as
41%.
Remember… As you drink that water our wildlife companions need it to
Random Collections - Weather has become increasingly dry since the late
1990’s… Please consider setting out water dishes.
* Related:
Water-For-Wildlife No-Tip Cups
Here's an Odd Sign of Heart Disease You Don't Want to Ignore
Dr. Becker - Saddle thrombus is a very serious condition that occurs
more often in cats than dogs and is alternately called feline aortic
thromboembolism (FATE). The "saddle" is the point in the abdomen at
which the aorta splits into two arteries to supply the back legs with
blood flow; a saddle thrombus is a blood clot that typically lodges in
the wedge at the top of the saddle. Symptoms of FATE involve one or both
rear legs, which turn cold and hard as the muscles and nerves swell due
to lack of oxygen and nutrients. An affected pet may drag one or both
hind legs and cry out in pain. Saddle thrombus is a life-threatening
medical emergency. Pets who survive typically require a great deal of
nursing care until they are mobile again, and unfortunately, recurrence
is common. A very encouraging alternative treatment for saddle thrombus
is medicinal leeching. I also advise long-term ubiquinol supplementation
for all heart patients, and nattokinase for FATE patients to help
prevent future blood clots.
Friday - June
17, 2016 - Today in History:
1775 - The British took Bunker Hill outside of Boston.
1837 - Charles Goodyear received his first patent. The patent was for a
process that made rubber easier to work with.
1856 - The Republican Party opened its first national convention in
Philadelphia.
1861 - U.S. President Abraham Lincoln witnessed Dr. Thaddeus Lowe
demonstrate the use of a hydrogen balloon.
1885 - The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York City aboard the French
ship Isere.
1913 - U.S. Marines set sail from San Diego to protect American
interests in Mexico.
1917 - The Russian Duma met in a secret session in Petrograd and voted
for an immediate Russian offensive against the German Army. (World War
I)
1924 - The Fascist militia marched into Rome.
1928 - Amelia Earhart began the flight that made her the first woman to
successfully fly across the Atlantic Ocean.
1940 - France asked Germany for terms of surrender in World War II.
1941 - WNBT-TV in New York City, NY, was granted the first construction
permit to operate a commercial TV station in the U.S.
1942 - Yank, a weekly magazine for the U.S. armed services, began
publication. The term "G.I. Joe" was first used in a comic strip by Dave
Breger.
1944 - French troops landed on the island of Elba in the Mediterranean.
1950 - Dr. Richard H. Lawler performed the first kidney transplant in a
45-minute operation in Chicago, IL.
1963 - The U.S. Supreme Court banned the required reading of the Lord's
prayer and Bible in public schools.
1965 - Twenty-seven B-52’s hit Viet Cong outposts but lost two planes in
South Vietnam.
1970 - North Vietnamese troops cut the last operating rail line in
Cambodia.
1994 - After leading police on a chase through Southern California, O.J.
Simpson was arrested and charged with murder in the slayings of his
ex-wife, Nicole, and Ronald Goldman.
2008 - Hundreds of same-sex couples got married across California on the
first full day that gay marriage became legal by order of the state's
highest court. (However, California voters banned gay marriage in
November.)
Hundreds Go Missing as Iraq Begins Rounding Up Civilians
Antiwar - While the Iraqi government made a big deal over the
weekend of arresting some members of their allied Shi’ite
militias for kidnapping, torturing, and killing refugees from
ISIS-held Fallujah, the problem appears to just be growing, with
the Iraqi military itself now reportedly rounding up people on
the same pretext as the militias were, and shipping them to a
detention center, just like the militias were. Civilians at a
refugee camp in Amriyat al-Fallujah say there is growing despair
over the fate of the hundreds of men, husbands, sons, etc., who
were captured by security forces while trying to flee through
the area the government ordered them to use, and are being held
as suspected ISIS. Those people that have turned up were
tortured, with many dying of their wounds. The government’s
official stance was that this was a militia thing, but the
military was already talking up the idea that a large chunk of
the fleeing population was ISIS fighters with “fake IDs.”
France allows off-duty police to carry guns following murders by
jihadist near Paris
RT - France has relaxed gun rules for its police force, allowing
officers to carry firearms while off-duty. The policy change
comes just days after a police couple was murdered by a jihadist
in a Paris suburb. The decision was made at a Tuesday meeting
between police unions and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve
on…. France’s current state of emergency, put into place after
the November terror attacks in Paris, already allows officers to
carry guns while off-duty. However, Wednesday’s decision will
allow them to continue doing so once the state of emergency is
over. The announcement came just two days after a police officer
and his girlfriend were stabbed to death in front of their
three-year-old son at their home in Magnanville, France. The
25-year-old attacker, an Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL)
militant, was shot dead by a police.
Cheney, Rothschild, and Fox News’ Murdoch Begin Drilling for Oil
in Syria — a Violation of Int’l Law
The Free Thought Project - After concluding the flow testing
phase, Afek Oil and Gas will now begin analyzing samples drawn
from the Ness-2 drilling site, euphemistically dubbed “Deborah’s
Well,” in the Israeli-occupied region of Syria known as the
Golan Heights. New Jersey-based Genie Energy, Ltd., Afek’s
parent company, claims a dubious cadre of investors cum war
profiteers, including Rupert Murdoch, Dick Cheney, Lord Jacob
Rothschild, James Woolsey — as well as a number of current and
former U.S. politicians. Prior testing at a separate Afek site
did not meet expectations, so the company sought other “sweet
spots” in the area. Analysis of samples from additional wells
will be performed by Afek scientists in conjunction with
“external international experts.”… Israel’s occupation of the
Golan Heights region violates international law — thus, Israeli
permits granting Afek the ostensible right to perform
exploratory tests of a possible “large reservoir” of natural gas
and light oil is also illegal.
Brexit Campaigns Suspended After British Lawmaker Shot Dead By
Mentally Ill Assailant
Zero Hedge - The West Yorkshire Police reports that Jo Cox has
died as a result of her injuries. The police also adds that a
full probe is under way to establish motive. It remains to be
seen if the Brexit referendum vote will be delayed as a result
of this death. 52-year-old man arrested after Labour MP Jo Cox
was shot in street outside her constituency surgery has been
named as Tommy Mair. A brief public data history search reveals
that Mair had psychological problems: Thomas Mair, 46, started
volunteering at the park after learning about the opportunity
through the Mirfield-based Pathways Day Centre for adults with
mental health problems. He said: "I can honestly say it has done
me more good than all the psychotherapy and medication in the
world. "Many people who suffer from mental illness are socially
isolated and disconnected from society, feelings of
worthlessness are also common mainly caused by long-term
unemployment.
Sterling rises after pro-EU British lawmaker killed; yen up
Reuters - Sterling recovered from a two-month low against the
euro on Thursday and rose versus the dollar, extending gains
after British police said Jo Cox, a lawmaker for Britain's
opposition Labour Party, had died after being attacked earlier
in the day. The yen, meanwhile, jumped to its highest in more
than three years against the euro and its strongest in nearly
two years versus the dollar on Thursday after the Bank of Japan
held off from further easing monetary policy and the Federal
Reserve struck a cautious tone on the U.S. economy. The
safe-haven yen also hit a three-year peak against sterling
GBPJPY= and a four-year high versus the Australian dollar AUDJPY=
as investors shunned higher-yielding but riskier currencies
ahead of next week's referendum to determine whether Britain
will stay in the European Union…. In the UK, the pound drew
support in the wake of Cox's death. The 41-year-old British
lawmaker was one of the members of parliament advocating for
Britain to remain in the EU, an issue that will be decided in a
referendum next week. Cox was attacked as she prepared to hold a
meeting with constituents in Birstall near Leeds.
Lockheed Threatens Economic Harm to Canada for Refusing to Buy
F-35
Sputnik News - The defense contractor attempted to extort one of
the most powerful sovereign countries in the world, warning that
as many as 10,000 jobs would be lost if the country did not
commit to purchasing a fighter jet that 'does not work.' This
weekend, American defense contractor Lockheed Martin threatened
to exclude Canadian companies from production of the much
maligned F-35 fighter jet if the Trudeau government decides to
instead purchase a fleet of Boeing’s Super Hornet fighter jets.
"The F-35 does not work and is far from working," said Canadian
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a June 7 parliamentary
debate, blasting the fighter jet that has cost the Pentagon over
$1.5 trillion. Despite this exorbitant price tag, the jet
continues to spontaneously shut down mid-flight due to software
glitches…. "I don’t want it perceived as a threat, but we will
have no choice: If Canada walks away from F-35, expect to
relocate work in Canada to other purchasing nations," Steve
Over, Lockheed’s director of F-35 internal business told the
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Israel to build underground wall beneath Gaza border to thwart
Hamas tunnels – report
RT - Israel is planning to build a massive concrete wall which
will extend below ground along the Gaza Strip border, Yedioth
Ahronoth newspaper has revealed. The barrier is aimed at
combating the threat posed by Hamas tunnels crossing into the
country from Gaza. The wall, which will stretch along the 96km
(60 mile) border around the Gaza Strip, will extend several
dozen meters below the ground, and will also be present above
the ground. It is estimated to cost US$568 million…. Israel's
plan comes after two Hamas tunnels spanning from Gaza to Israel
were discovered in April and May. Hamas has confirmed it is
building tunnels, and residents in southern Israel communities
bordering Gaza have reported hearing digging sounds under their
homes, i24 reported. Hamas has previously used tunnels to avoid
or carry out attacks, store weapons, and enter Israel. It says,
however, that the tunnels are needed to defend against Israeli
fire.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
NDAA 2017 Includes Draft for Women, Indefinite Detention of
American Citizens
Activist Post - On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate approved a $602
billion annual defense budget that President Obama has promised
to veto because the bill does not allow for the closing of the
military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Senate Bill 2943, the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, passed
with a vote of 85 Senators in favor and 13 against. One issue
the entire Congress seemed to agree on was voting against
closing military bases around the world. While the Pentagon
called for budget cuts stating that the military has more space
than they need, Congress refused to go along with the cuts….
Another contentious area of debate was the mandate to force
women who turn 18 on or after Jan. 1, 2018 to register for
Selective Service. Males are already required register within 30
days of their 18th birthday…. The most horrendous part of the
NDAA 2017 is that that the annual military budget continues to
include a provision which allows for indefinite detention of
American citizens without a right to trial. On Thursday June 9,
Senators Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Dianne
Feinstein of California spoke on the floor of the Senate in
support of an amendment bill which would have removed the
indefinite detention clause from NDAA 2017 and offered
protections to American citizens weary of a federal government
with too much power.
Say What? NATO Could Use Conventional Weapons to Respond to
Cyberattacks
Sputnik News - The North Atlantic Alliance apparently views
conventional weapons as a viable means to deal with cyberthreats
to its networks and communications systems. NATO’s Secretary
General Jens Stoltenberg said as much when he mentioned that the
bloc could deploy conventional arms to respond to cyberattacks
in the future. NATO’s networks are targeted on a daily basis,
but this measure will likely only apply to the most serious
security breaches that could trigger the collective defense
clause under Article 5…. Stoltenberg appeared not to mention how
the alliance plans to determine the assault’s origin, which is a
major challenge when it comes to sophisticated operations since
hackers are capable of launching and routing attacks worldwide.
Senate inches toward possible gun control action
Reuters - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut and fellow
Democrats set the U.S. Capitol abuzz by talking on the Senate
floor for nearly 15 straight hours to demand that Congress act
on gun control. They ended their speeches before dawn, citing a
Republican pledge to hold votes soon on measures to expand
background checks on gun buyers and to prevent people on U.S.
terrorism watch lists from buying guns. The Senate is expected
to vote on Monday on four proposals. One from Democrat Dianne
Feinstein would let the government prevent terrorist suspects
from buying guns. A second from Republican John Cornyn, the No.
2 Senate Republican, would require court approval within three
days for a government ban on an individual's attempt to buy a
gun. Democrats have said Cornyn's plan is unworkable;
Republicans say Feinstein's might harm the rights of people
wrongly on terror suspect lists. A third proposal, from Democrat
Murphy, would expand background check procedures to the sales of
all firearms, including those online and at gun shows. A fourth
proposal, from Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, would provide
for law enforcement to be notified if a person investigated for
terrorism in the last five years tries to buy a gun.
FBI: US Homicide Rate At 51-Year Low
Zero Hedge - The US homicide rate in 2014, the most recent year
available, was 4.5 per 100,000 - the lowest since 1963. So, do
more guns equal more crime? The data would seem to indicate the
answer is "obviously not." Nevertheless, President Obama called
on The Senate this afternoon to "rise to the moment" and pass
gun control... As Pew has reported in recent years, in fact, the
American public is "unaware" that the homicide rate in the
United States has fallen by 49 percent over the past twenty
years. And while Pew doesn't report on it, it's also a safe bet
that the public is also unaware that homicide rates have
collapsed as total gun ownership in the United States has
increased significantly. Over a recent 20 year period, the
number of new guns in the US that were either manufactured in
the US or imported into the US increased 141 percent from 6.6
million new guns in 1994 to 16 million in 2013. That means a
gross total of 132 million new guns were added into the US
population over that time period.
Mainstream Media Finally Admits Mass Banker ‘Suicides’ Were
Likely a Vast Criminal Conspiracy
The Free Thought Project – Over forty international bankers
allegedly killed themselves over a two-year period in the wake
of a major international scandal that implicated financial firms
across the globe. However, three of these seemingly unrelated
suicides seem to share common threads related to their
connections to Deutsche Bank. These three banker suicides, in
New York, London, and Siena, Italy, took place within 17 months
of each other in 2013/14 in what investigators labeled as a
series of unrelated suicides. “In each case, the victim had a
connection to a burgeoning global banking scandal, leaving more
questions than answers as to the circumstances surrounding their
deaths,” according to the New York Post. “But all three men
worked for, or did business with, Deutsche Bank.”
Liberty & drug tests for all: Lawmaker seeks to drug screen the
rich
RT - While some lawmakers want to require drug screening and
testing for welfare and other assistance program applicants,
this idea has inspired one US congresswoman to call for the rich
to be drug tested if they wish to take advantage of tax
deductions. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker put a lot of time
and energy into passing legislation that has given Wisconsin the
right to drug test participants in the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, and
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). He is not alone
either. At least 15 states now require drug testing for public
assistance applicants. Representative Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin)
describes these stipulations as “the criminalization of
poverty,” the Guardian reported. In response, she has announced
her intention to introduce a bill called the Top 1%
Accountability Act that would force taxpayers with itemized
deductions exceeding $150,000 to submit a clear drug test to the
IRS. Based on the IRS’ 2011 tax data, the only homes that would
qualify would be those with a yearly federal adjusted gross
income of over $1 million, the Guardian reported.
Video: Mexican flags fly at Trump protest in Dallas
The American Mirror - A vocal band of agitators gathered outside
Donald Trump’s Dallas rally tonight and as has been the case in
many other cities, they flew Mexican flags. “We are united! We
are united!” agitators shouted. Developing…
The Leaked List Of Hillary Clinton's Mega Donors
Zero Hedge - While the media's focus following the leaked DNC
documents by lone (and hardly a group of Russian operatives
hacker "Guccifer2" has been understandably on the Democrats'
documents in which they reveal they strategy how target Trump
and his republican peers, what we found more interesting was the
list of the candidate's mega donors, those who have provided
$100,000 and above, as per the leaked confidential documents.
For those interested in whose "generous" pocket Hillary Clinton
will be found, if she is elected president, here is the answer.
Hillary-Endorsed Soda Tax Passed By Philly City Council
Americans for Tax Reform - The Hillary Clinton-endorsed soda tax
was imposed by the Philadelphia City Council today on a 13- 4
vote. Philadelphians will now face a soda tax of 1.5 cents per
ounce. The tax will increase the price of a 12-pack of soda pop
by $2.16, directly affecting low and middle-income families.
Clinton said she was “very supportive” of the tax. Clinton
endorsed the tax despite making a pledge to the American people
that she will not raise taxes on anyone earning less than
$250,000.
* Related:
Philadelphia Becomes First Major City To Pass A Soda Tax
The Minimum Wage Pain Continues: Hundreds More To Be Fired At
Walmart
Zero Hedge - Walmart has been overly eager to boost everyone's
wage in order to appease the living wage crowd, and as a result
the company has had to move forward with massive layoffs and
store closings to try and mitigate the impact on profits.
Earlier this month we also noted that Walmart is testing out
drones that when operational, will be able to carry out what
once were human tasks in its large distribution centers. This
effort will further position the company to be able to shed more
labor and benefit expense in the future. That said, Walmart
isn't waiting for the drone initiative to come online. The
company recently announced that the accounting function at
roughly 500 stores, mostly on the West Coast, will be eliminated
and the job responsibilities will be handled by a shared service
center at Walmart's Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters the WSJ
reports.
Expert Groups Call for Transparency on US Genetically Modified Moth
Experiments
Sustainable Pulse - Environmental, food safety and organic farming
organizations are demanding clear public information about a
controversial plan to conduct an open air field trial of genetically
modified (GM) diamondback moths at Cornell’s agricultural experiment
station in Geneva, New York. The GM moths are intended to control
population levels with an engineered trait that causes female offspring
to die in the larval stage. The diamondback moth is a pest for producers
of crops like broccoli and cabbage. The plan for the trial includes the
release of over a million GM moths every year on a 60-acre site at the
experiment station…. In its environmental assessment, the USDA failed to
recognize the risk posed to the reputations of nearby organic farms
since genetic engineering, even for pest control, is prohibited under
the organic standards. Accidental escapes and contamination could be a
significant issue for farmers near the experiment station.
FBI built a massive facial recognition database without proper oversight
TechCrunch - The bombshell report reveals that the FBI dipped into
driver’s license photo databases from 16 states, as well as passport and
visa photo databases from the State Department, feeding its facial
recognition with millions of photos of Americans and foreigners who have
never been accused of a crime. The FBI has access to a whopping 411.9
million images for use in facial recognition, roughly 30 million of
which are mug shots. The sheer number of photos described in the GAO
report is staggering, but what’s worse is that the FBI didn’t make
public disclosures about the program required by law, the report says….
The report instructs that the U.S. Attorney General should determine why
the FBI didn’t publish legally mandated privacy assessments as it
expanded its facial recognition program. The Privacy Act requires
government agencies to disclose how they harvest and use personal
information like ID photos, but the GAO found that the FBI didn’t make
the mandatory disclosures.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
37 Million Bees Instantly Dropped Dead After Farms Started
Spraying Neonicotinoids On GMO Crops
Natural Blaze - Neonics, which are chemically similar to
nicotine, are used to deter and kill insects that may ruin crop
yields and they are very effective in killing local bee
populations. Dave Schuit, a honey-producer in Elmwood, Canada,
said that his farm lost 37 million bees almost immediately after
a nearby farm began planting GMO corn and spraying neonics on
their crops. Nathan Carey, another local farmer in Ontario,
Canada, also noticed that there weren’t nearly enough bees to
help his crops grow as there had been in previous years. He
believes that this is likely related to the new use of
insecticides in a neighboring farm. Though neonics have been
banned in Europe and has been consistently linked to large-scale
bee “die-offs” in recent years, the USDA continues to allow the
insecticide to kill our bees and hope for their survival.
Press Release: ANOTHER Vaccine Safety Documentary Censored
Green Med Info - First Vaxxed, now Man Made Epidemic; Yet
another documentary on vaccine safety gets pulled from
international film festival… “Man Made Epidemic” by German
filmmaker Natalie Beer has been pulled from London’s East End
Festival. The film had originally been chosen to premiere at the
festival on the 25th of June. The festival director decided to
withdraw the film last Friday after a hefty discussion on their
Twitter account had arisen. This is the second film dealing with
vaccine safety being pulled from a film festival within a few
months. Earlier this year Robert de Niro bowed to outside
pressure and pulled the documentary Vaxxed from the Tribeca Film
Festival…. The film describes her own journey as a mother of a
young child who embarks on the prescribed vaccination schedule
but then starts asking questions about the safety of some of the
vaccines particularly the MMR vaccine and it’s potential link to
autism. Man Made Epidemic talks to all sides: From pharma, to
doctors, to scientists, to mothers…. Please go to the official
website to watch the trailer and get further information:
Man Made
Epidemic
Combining Multiple Childhood Vaccines Not Safe Says Article in
Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons
Natural Blaze - Multiple childhood vaccines are often given at
one visit, but contrary to the claims of public health officials
there is evidence that this practice is unsafe, writes medical
research journalist Neil Z. Miller in the summer issue of the
Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons…. Miller writes,
Although CDC recommends polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus,
pertussis, rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae type B, and
pneumococcal vaccines for two-, four-, and six-month-old
infants, this combination of eight vaccines administered during
a single physician visit was never tested for safety in clinical
trials. This is at odds with a CDC report which found that mixed
exposures to chemical substances and other stress factors,
including prescribed pharmaceuticals, may produce ‘increased or
unexpected deleterious health effects.’… “Our study showed that
infants who receive several vaccines concurrently…are
significantly more likely to be hospitalized or die when
compared with infants who receive fewer vaccines
simultaneously,” he writes. “It also showed that reported
adverse effects were more likely to lead to hospitalization or
death in younger infants.”
Lion’s Mane Mushroom – Unparalleled Benefits for Your Brain and
Nervous System
Green Med Info - Lion’s mane mushroom has been used medicinally
in Asia for centuries, but for some reason it’s one of the
best-kept secrets in the West. Besides being called "lion’s
mane," Hericium erinaceus, is known by several other names
including bearded tooth mushroom, bearded hedgehog, bearded
tooth fungus and others. In Japan, it’s known as yamabushitake,
which means “mountain priest mushroom.” It has a variety of
other names, depending on the country…. Thus far, evidence
exists that lion’s mane mushroom confers the following health
benefits: Improved cognitive function, Nerve regeneration,
remyelination, and increased Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Improved
digestive function and relief from gastritis, Immunosupportive,
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, Anticoagulant; mild ACE
inhibitor; improved lipid profile… Conditions That May Benefit
from Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Dementia and mild cognitive
impairment, Parkinson’s disease, Peripheral neuropathy, Multiple
sclerosis, Stroke recovery, Anxiety and Depression…
How to Use Lemon Peels to Get Rid of Dry Cracked Feet and
Calluses
Living Traditionally - The high acidity of the lemon juice works
to soften the hardened skin that makes up your callus/corn. It’s
a way to soften it other than simply soaking it. Applying lemon
peel to your heels will speed up the process of getting rid of
the thick dead layers of your skin quicker, uncovering the
softer new skin underneath. The acidic nature of lemon weakens
the bonds between skin cells, allowing new cells to emerge
quickly and replace the dead ones…. An incredibly simple way of
using lemon peel to get rid of dry cracked feet is cutting a
fresh lemon before you go to bed, squeezing the juice into a
glass for future use and placing one-half of the lemon on the
heel of each foot, then covering them with clean, old socks and
going to sleep.
Video: Forget Cat Cafés – Now There’s a Cat Massage Parlor!
The Catington Post - Cat cafés started in Japan and are now springing up
all over the world. Here’s another trend that’s started in Japan we’re
really hoping makes it’s way across the pond – cat massage parlors! At a
spa in Japan, cat lovers can opt for a feline add-on to their massages.
Kitties are on staff, and on the table, to take over during massages.
Check it out:
Dog Swallows Gorilla Glue, Vets Remove Perfect Mold of Stomach
Dogington Post - Any parent to a young puppy can agree – if your dog can
fit something in his mouth, there’s a good chance he’ll try to eat it.
Such was the case for Lake, a 6-month-old Weimaraner, that sniffed out a
bottle of Gorilla Glue that hadn’t been properly stowed out of reach.
Lake helped herself to a small taste of the sweet smelling, industrial
strength glue and within 24 hours, things began to go terribly wrong.
Krystal Wilson of Oklahoma noticed her puppy began vomiting and wasn’t
acting like her usual self and took her to the vet. By the time Lake was
seen by a doctor, the bit of glue had expanded into a mass about the
size of a turkey leg, requiring immediate surgical intervention. A rock
hard mass that had molded to the shape of the dog’s stomach was
extracted, and just in time. Lake is said to be recovering well. Lake’s
family and her veterinarians hope that by sharing her story, other pet
parents will be more careful, remembering to keep anything inedible well
out of their dog’s reach.
Thursday - June
16, 2016 - Today in History:
1812 - The City Bank of New York (later Citibank) opened for business.
1858 - In a speech in Springfield, IL, U.S. Senate candidate Abraham
Lincoln said the slavery issue had to be resolved. He declared, "A house
divided against itself cannot stand."
1884 - At Coney Island, in Brooklyn, NY, the first roller coaster in
America opened.
1883 - The New York Giants baseball team admitted all ladies for free to
the ballpark. It was the first Ladies Day.
1897 - The U.S. government signed a treaty of annexation with Hawaii.
1903 - Ford Motor Company was incorporated.
1941 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the closure of all
German consulates in the United States. The deadline was set as July 10.
1955 - The U.S. House of Representatives voted to extend Selective
Service until 1959.
1978 - U.S. President Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos
ratified the Panama Canal treaties.
1992 - U.S. President George H.W. Bush welcomed Russian President Boris
Yeltsin to a meeting in Washington, DC. The two agreed in principle to
reduce strategic weapon arsenals by about two-thirds by the year 2003.
1993 - The U.S. Postal Service released a set of seven stamps that
featured Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Clyde McPhatter, Otis Redding, Ritchie
Valens, Dinah Washington and Elvis Presley.
1996 - Russian voters had their first independent presidential election.
Boris Yeltsin was the winner after a run-off.
1999 - The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said that a 1992 federal music
piracy law does not prohibit a palm-sized device that can download
high-quality digital music files from the Internet and play them at
home.
2000 - U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson reported that an
employee at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico had
discovered that two computer hard drives were missing.
2008 - California began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
2011 - Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., announced his resignation from
Congress, bowing to the furor caused by his sexually charged online
dalliances with a former porn actress and other women..
Police receive terror alert that ISIS fighters have left Syria
and are heading to France and Belgium to stage attacks
Daily Mail - Police and anti-terrorism investigators have been
alerted to the possibility that small groups of ISIS extremists
have left Syria for France and Belgium with plans to stage
attacks. Belgian intelligence services sent a note to French
counterparts about the warning and it was sent to police across
France on Tuesday, a French security official said today.
Belgium's Derniere Heure tabloid reported that Belgium's
anti-terror office warned police that fighters with access to
weapons may have left Syria about 10 days ago for Belgium and
France. A Brussels shopping mall, an American fast-food chain
and police could be among their targets.
Iran files complaint with ICJ to recover $2 billion frozen in
U.S.
Reuters - Iran has filed a formal complaint with the
International Court of Justice to recover nearly $2 billion in
assets frozen in the United States, Iranian President Hassan
Rouhani said on Wednesday. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in April
that the assets must be turned over to American families of
people killed in the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marine Corps
barracks in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran. The Iranian
complaint was filed on Tuesday, Rouhani said at an "iftar"
evening gathering in Tehran to break the Islamic Ramadan fast,
according to the website of Iranian state television. “The
government of the Islamic Republic of Iran officially complained
about America to the International Court of Justice for the
confiscation and theft of two billion dollars of the property of
the central bank,” Rouhani said. "And demanded the condemnation
of Washington's anti-Iranian action and compensation for
damages." More than 1,000 plaintiffs in the case have accused
Iran of providing material support to Hezbollah, the Shi'ite
Islamist political and military group responsible for the 1983
truck bomb attack that killed 241 U.S. service personnel in
Beirut.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians left without water as Israeli
firm cuts supplies – report
RT - An Israeli supply firm has cut off water for a West Bank
area, according to media. Tens of thousands of Palestinians now
reportedly have no access to safe drinking water and are forced
to buy water tanks as they fast for Ramadan amid the June heat.
Mekorot, the main supplier of several Palestinian towns and
cities, stopped providing water to the municipality of Jenin, a
number of Nablus villages and the city of Salfit and its
surrounding villages, Gulf News and Al Jazeera reported. In
several locations, people haven’t had water for over 40 days,
according to Ayman Rabi, the executive director of the
Palestinian Hydrology Group.
June 23, 2016: The Brexit Vote Could Change EVERYTHING And
Plunge Europe Into Financial Chaos
Economic Collapse - On June 23rd, a vote will be held in the
United Kingdom to determine if Britain will stay in the European
Union or not. This is most commonly known as the “Brexit” vote,
and that term was created by combining the words “Britain” and
“exit”. If the UK votes to stay in the European Union, things
over in Europe will continue on pretty much as they have been.
But if the UK votes to leave, it will likely throw the entire
continent into a state of economic and financial chaos. And
considering how bad the European economy is already, this could
be the trigger that plunges Europe into a full-blown depression.
Global market may face oil shortage in 3-5yrs – Rosneft CEO
RT - The oil market is reaching a balance faster than analysts
predicted and a period of sustained oil price rises is not far
off, according to Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin. He added that low
investment may cause oil shortages in three to five years.
"According to analysts, the average oil price is expected at
$40-45 per barrel in 2016. Oil demand in the world continues to
grow, while production, primarily in the US, decreases,” Sechin
said in an interview with Italian business newspaper Il Sole 24.
Oil prices have almost doubled since the January lows, without
any agreement between world producers, said Sechin. “It
indicates the fundamental stability of the oil market. Moreover,
the oil market is reaching its balance quicker than analysts had
predicted.” The head of Rosneft said the global market may face
an oil shortage in three to five years and producers might need
a deal to share output increases and release strategic reserves.
Wreckage of crashed EgyprAir jet found at ‘several locations’ –
investigation
RT - Wreckage from the EgyptAir jet that crashed in the eastern
Mediterranean with 66 people on board in May has been located,
the Egyptian-led investigation committee said. The search is now
focusing on its black boxes, as their signals are to cease on
June 24. The John Lethbridge, a search boat contracted by the
Egyptian government, spotted the wreckage at “several main
locations.” The searchers managed to snap the first pictures of
the debris and provide them to the investigation committee.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
You Can't Make This Up: Kerry and Saudi Prince Pledge to Fight
Extremism After Orlando Shooting
The Ron Paul Institute - Here is further proof that US foreign
policy fact is stranger than fiction: one day after the Orlando
shooting where some 50 patrons of a homosexual bar were gunned
down, US Secretary of State John Kerry sat down to dinner with
with Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington, D.C. and,
according to the State Department, "discussed this weekend's
shooting in Orlando and expressed their shared commitment to
continue their cooperation in combatting the spread of violent
extremism, both regionally and internationally." Yes, the same
country that follows as a matter of official policy the exact
treatment of homosexuals as was meted out by the Orlando shooter
has expressed concern over extremism! Saudi Arabia's own
"violent extremism" doesn't end at its treatment of homosexuals.
As the defense minister of the Saudi kingdom, Saudi Prince
Mohammed bin Salman is responsible for the brutal and genocidal
war on Yemen and for Saudi Arabia's strong backing of radical
jihadists -- including al-Qaeda -- who for the past five years
have killed tens of thousands in attempt to overthrow secular
Syrian president Assad. Also, if reports about the contents of
the still-classified "28 Pages" of the 9/11 report are accurate,
the Saudi government played a role in the al-Qaeda attacks on
the United States.
Media jointly demand release of Orlando shooting 911 calls
Sun Sentinel - Two dozen news agencies, including the Sun
Sentinel and Orlando Sentinel, have joined forces to demand the
release of recordings of 911 callers frantically reporting a
gunman on a deadly rampage early Sunday at a gay nightclub just
south of downtown Orlando…. Citing an "ongoing investigation,"
Orlando police have refused to release the tapes. "Even in
critical and challenging times, transparency is important," said
a four-page letter sent Tuesday to Orlando's city attorney from
media lawyer Rachel Fugate, of Thomas & LoCicero in Tampa. "It
helps the citizens…have a better understanding of what
transpired and try to come to grips with the horrific and
unimaginable tragedy.”… Fugate wrote the demand — citing
numerous reasons that the recordings should be treated as public
records and not be withheld — on behalf of the Sun Sentinel,
Orlando Sentinel, Miami Herald, Palm Beach Post, Los Angeles
Times, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall
Street Journal, CNN, the Associated Press and others. Included
in the request were dispatch and scanner recordings.
ISIS hacker pleads guilty to giving terrorists US military kill
list
Ars Technica - A hacker the US authorities have labeled as the
leader of an overseas Internet hacking group—the Kosova Hacker's
Security—pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to charges of
providing material support to the US enemy. It was the first
known prosecution of a hacker joining forces with a terror group
in a bid to carry out terrorism, the government said. The
defendant, a Kosovo citizen named Ardit Ferizi, was arrested in
Malaysia last year and was accused of stealing data on US
military personnel by hacking US corporate computers and then
providing that data to the Islamic State terror group. "Ferizi
admitted to stealing the personally identifiable information of
over 1,000 U.S. service members and federal employees, and
providing it to ISIL with the understanding that they would
incite terrorist attacks against those individuals," said
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Carlin.
"The case against Ferizi is the first of its kind, representing
the nexus of the terror and cyber threats."
Report: Academy Sports Creating Database For Ammo Purchases,
Pulls Rifles From Shelves
Kit Daniels - Academy Sports and Outdoors is gathering personal
data on customers who buy more than 10 boxes of so-called
“assault rifle caliber” ammunition and is pulling rifles from
store shelves in support of the Obama administration agenda. An
anonymous employee said the new policies were outlined in a
recent conference call in which corporate HQ told employees they
will soon require buyers to furnish personal information the
company will keep on file, likely for the federal government if
requested. Additionally, Academy is pulling anything resembling
sporting rifles, including rifle-shaped BBQ lighters and airsoft
rifles, from store displays although another employee revealed
semi-automatic rifles will still be sold upon request. “We got
the call from corporate just before close to take the rifles off
of display, only after all customers have left for the night,”
reddit user Potato_Muncher revealed. “MSRs are still for sale,
but will not be displayed ‘for about a week or two.’” “Same
thing happened during Sandy Hook, so take this with a grain of
salt.”
Missouri Sheriff Waives Concealed Carry Fees After
#OrlandoShooting (Video)
The Gateway Pundit - A Missouri sheriff says he’s waiving fees
for the rest of June for residents seeking concealed carry
permits after last weekend’s nightclub massacre in Florida.
Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson announced the move Monday on
the department’s official Facebook page. The county has charged
residents $100 for their first five-year permit and $50 to renew
one. The department also will hold a free concealed carry class
for new applicants July 9. Anderson says in the Facebook posting
that while he continues praying for peace in the U.S. and
worldwide, “I will continue to pray for peace for our country
and the world. But I will not put blinders on and act like this
can not happen here or to people we know and love. I want to say
a Big Thank You to the Law Enforcement and First Responders
Community for what you are willing to sacrifice for our nation
at home. While this will be debated on so many different levels
please remember that your local first responders are the ones
that will be there ready at a moments notice to handle any of
these threats.”
Orlando Pride “Famous Throughout The Land”
Daily Crow - Did you know the UN declared 2016 The International
Year of Pulses? Just one of the many ridiculous convergences we
will be covering. As you read through this keep in mind “pulse”
and “heart”. This is about the heart of America and the heart of
the Father.
Is Something BIG Coming? Report: FEMA Just Quietly Activated
Civilian Corps
The Daily Sheeple - While this group is unarmed, they are
generally drafted from the fighting branches of the US Military,
medical and communications. John forwarded that email to us on
Friday afternoon, saying “That was the very odd message about
FEMA that came into my spam box at work.” The message is titled,
“FEMA activates it’s hush hush Civilian Corps, why now?” It
reads: We received reports last week of various employees,
citizens and etc. heading down to Atlanta Georgia to either the
CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the Center for Community
Preparedness (FEMA). As far as we can tell it is true. One girl
we spoke with actually gave a cover story for her absence and
flight into ATL. We believe Federal Emergency Management Agency
is actually activating its Civilian Corps. This is primarily a
group of current and former government and military people, many
with various training backgrounds to broad to cover here. [SIC]
While this group is unarmed, they are generally drafted from the
fighting branches of the US Military, medical and
communications. We were informed that several companies in
Minnesota responded large numbers of their own veterans heading
south. Only the families we asked confirmed where they were
going and why. Few spoke to us without agreeing to anonymity.
‘Where’s your badge?’ Off-duty cop pulls gun on cyclists in road
rage incident (Video)
RT - An incident of road rage and possible police misconduct has
gone viral after a white off-duty cop pulled his gun on bike
couriers, at least two of whom are black. One of the unarmed
cyclists, but not the cop brandishing his weapon, was arrested.
As word of a "gunman" spread through Greenwich Village, an
elementary school was even put on lockdown. Friends of one of
the cyclists told WABC-TV that the incident began when the
driver drove into the cycle lane while police claim the cyclists
hit the side of his car. The man then got out of his vehicle,
whipped out his gun, without immediately identifying himself as
a police officer. “My friend kind of screamed at him as he’s
riding off... he stops his car, and he’s getting out of the car.
As soon as he gets out of the car, I see a gun in his hand,”
Lawrence told NY Daily News. As the cyclists grew more angry,
the cop retreated into a restaurant, where he called for
back-up. When on-duty officers arrived at the scene, they
arrested one of the cyclists, Dejaune Jones, charging him with
possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, menacing, and
harassment. The alleged weapon was an ice pick, but the group of
cyclists deny this, and no weapon was found. The police officer
has not yet been named, but he is said to be a sergeant.
Trump Says US Iraq War Soldiers Stole $50 Million – He’s
Probably Right
Sputnik News - The Republican front-runner, who has
characterized himself as a champion of US soldiers, made the
allegation during an off-the-cuff segment of a speech on Tuesday
night and has since been pilloried by mainstream media outlets.
Donald Trump’s Tuesday night speech in Greensboro, North
Carolina, took a controversial detour when the Republican
presidential candidate commented on corruption in the military…
"Iraq, crooked as hell. How about bring baskets of money –
millions and millions of dollars – and handing it out?" Trump
said at the evening rally. "I want to know who were the soldiers
that had that job because I think they’re living very well right
now, whoever they may be.”… Retired military officials also
claim that graft is pervasive throughout the US Army, especially
among contracting officers and those tasked with managing funds.
Politifact Says Trump Is Right: Hillary Clinton Supports ‘500%
Increase in Syrian Refugees’
Breitbart - Donald Trump was right when he said Hillary Clinton
wants “a 500 percent increase in Syrians refugees” in his
Manchester, New Hampshire speech on Monday: Each year, the
United States permanently admits more than 100,000 immigrants
from the Middle East, and many more from Muslim countries
outside the Middle East. Our government has been admitting
ever-growing numbers, year after year, without any effective
plan for our security. In fact, Clinton’s State Department was
in charge of the admissions process for people applying to enter
from overseas. Having learned nothing from these attacks, she
now plans to massively increase admissions without a screening
plan, including a 500% increase in Syrian refugees. (emphasis
added) This could be a better, bigger version of the legendary
Trojan Horse…. Politifact searched through some of Clinton’s
previous statements on the issue and found this gem: During a
Sept. 20 appearance on CBS’ Face the Nation, Clinton was asked
if President Barack Obama’s plan to increase the number allowed
into the United States to 10,000 was enough…. “Look, we’re
facing the worst refugee crisis since the end of World War II,
and I think the United States has to do more, and I would like
to see us move from what is a good start with 10,000 to 65,000
and begin immediately to put into place the mechanisms for
vetting the people that we would take in,” Clinton said.
Judicial Watch Sues McAuliffe For Granting Felons Vote
Breitbart - Judicial Watch plans to sue Democratic Virginia Gov.
Terry McAuliffe, who issued a sweeping order that granted
206,000 felons the right to vote just months before the 2016
presidential election. Plaintiffs are registered voters in the
Commonwealth of Virginia. As a result of Defendants’ unlawful
actions, 206,000 felons who, by law, should be ineligible to
vote, are being, and will be, registered and permitted to vote.
Unless an injunction is granted, Plaintiffs lawful votes will be
cancelled out, and their voting power will be diluted, by votes
cast by individuals who are not eligible to vote under
Virginia’s laws and Constitution,” the lawsuit states.
Infamous spam king could get prison time for Facebook spamming, phishing
Ars Technica - With nearly a billion dollars in civil judgments against
him looming in his …Prosecutors wrote that by his own admission, Wallace
executed "a scheme from approximately November 2008 through March 2009
to send spam messages to Facebook users that compromised approximately
500,000 legitimate Facebook accounts, and resulted in over 27 million
spam messages being sent through Facebook’s servers." Wallace lost civil
suits from MySpace and Facebook, among others, and was hit with nearly a
total of $1 billion in outstanding default judgments, for which they
have been unable to collect. In 2011, he was finally hit with criminal
charges.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
12 Plants that Create Positive Energy in Your Home!
David Wolfe - While plants are commonly used to decorate a home
or office, or to brighten up a yard or garden, many plants can
actually improve the flow of positive energy into a space.
Certain plants are able to purify the air, while others can
provide a sense of well-being, peace and even stress relief.
Getting rid of the negative energy around you is an important
step to regaining your health and happiness. Use these plants to
promote positive vibes that will benefit you and the people
around you: 1. Peace Lily - The peace lily is believed to
provide prospering spiritually, mentally and physically. It
improves the flow of energy in the home by purifying the air and
neutralizing harmful indoor gases…. 2. Jasmine - Jasmine
attracts positive energy and helps to strengthen relationships
and build romance. Its sweet and pleasant smell can help soothe
a stressed mind and provide energy…. 3. Rosemary - Rosemary
promotes physical and mental well-being while purifying the air
to keep your home free of harmful toxins…. 4. Lucky Bamboo -
According to feng shui, the vertical shape of lucky bamboo
represents the element wood, which influences our life energy,
vitality and physical activity….
15 Benefits of Wheatgrass You Never Knew
Natural News Blogs - Wheatgrass is an effective healer because
it contains chlorophyll, all minerals known to man, and vitamins
A, B-complex, C, E, and K. Wheatgrass is extremely rich in
protein, and contains 17 amino acids, the building blocks of
protein. 15 benefits of wheatgrass you never knew… Keeps Your
Bones Strong: Wheatgrass’ alkalizing effect may, indeed, help
you maintain strong bones. The idea that a highly acidic
environment in the body can cause bone loss. High blood
pressure: The proteinous compounds in the high quality
chlorophyll from wheatgrass has been found to be beneficial in
lowering high blood pressure. Prevents And Cures Cancer: Cereal
grasses are thought to have regenerative effects on our cells.
In simpler words, they can help repair our DNA. So could fixing
the damaged DNA in our bodies help ward off diseases such as
cancer? Anti-inflammatory: The cocktail of nutrients and
antioxidants in wheat-grass juice work together to combat
inflammation, thus benefiting people with arthritis,
hypertension and cancer. Anemia: The high grade content of iron
in wheatgrass juice makes it a great blood builder, increasing
red blood cells count. It regenerates and reactivates the red
blood cells and supplies fresh oxygen to the body. Rich source
of oxygen: Being the richest source of chlorophyll, wheat-grass
juice is consequently high in oxygen which is need for the
optimum function of the two most important organs of the human
body – the heart and the brain….
Reverse Cavities and Heal Tooth Decay with THESE 5 Steps!
David Wolfe - While we’ve been led to believe that tooth decay
occurs when foods containing sugars and starches are left on the
teeth, this study shows there are more factors at work.
According to Dr. Edward Mellanby, Dr. Weston Price and Dr.
Ramiel Nagel, there are four main things that contribute to
tooth decay: Lack of minerals in the diet (deficiencies of
magnesium, calcium and phosphorus), Lack of fat-soluble vitamins
(A, D, E and K), Too much consumption of phytic acid-rich foods,
Too much consumption of processed sugar. Natural Ways to Reverse
Cavities: 1. Remove Sugar - Not only does it feed oral bacteria
that prevents a healthy flow of dental fluids, it’s also highly
acidic, allowing it to decalcify and demineralize the structural
content of teeth! 2. Consume Nutrient-Rich Foods - A diet full
of vegetables – especially leafy green vegetables, foods high in
healthy fats such as coconut oil and avocado, along with nuts
and seeds can help create the ideal diet for battling tooth
decay. 3. Try Oil Pulling - Oil pulling has been used for
centuries as an oral detoxification procedure. Simple swish a
tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 20 minutes, then
spit the oil into the trash. If 20 minutes is too long, start
with 3-5 minutes. Oil pulling has been praised with curing
numerous health issues, from gingivitis to headaches….
Forget coffee if you’ve slept badly three nights in a row
What Doctors Don't Tell You - Scientists have discovered that
caffeine loses its powers to give us that necessary jolt if we
sleep for less than five hours a night on three consecutive
nights. In other words, don’t bother drinking coffee after the
third night of poor sleeping: it won’t make any difference.
Coffee “significantly improves” our performance levels if we
haven’t slept well for two nights in a row, say scientists at
the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. But the benefits of
consuming two 200 mg shots of caffeine a day don’t have any
effect come the third day.
Video: Too
Many People Still Do This During The Summer And It HAS To Stop!
ViralNova - Picture this...after you take your pup to the dog park, you
remember you have to run a quick errand. Going home seems like such a
hassle, so you bring them along. When you get to the store, knowing that
it's not too hot out, you just crack your windows and run inside. That's
your first mistake. Many people believe that that little amount of air
circulation will be enough...but it's not. The inside temperature of a
car, even on a mild 70-degree day, can quickly climb well above 100….
Cracking the windows might make you feel better, but it doesn't do
anything to ensure your pet stays cool. Many people see helpless pets
trapped in hot cars and don't do anything about it. Others act -- but
too many people don't understand just how dangerous leaving pets can
really be.
Dog treat recipes for lifelong wellness: Top ingredients from 5 food
groups for a healthy and vibrant dog
(NaturalNews) Maintaining your pet's nutrition is the key to health,
happiness and longevity. In order to do this, feeding your pet a variety
of whole foods is extremely important…. Below is a list of raw foods in
the top five food groups best for your dog: 1. Meats: raw eggs, chicken,
beef, lamb, pork, venison, turkey, rabbit, fish, buffalo, ostrich (60 -
80 percent of their raw diet should consist of meat) 2. Vegetables and
Grains: broccoli, carrots, romaine lettuce, cabbage, celery, spinach,
summer squash, asparagus, rice, oatmeal, kale (promote overall
nutrition) 3. Dairy: cottage cheese, plain yogurt (help improve
digestion) 4. Fruit: bananas, mango, apples (promote overall nutrition)
5. Oils: olive oil, flaxseed oil, safflower oil, hemp oil (help improve
your pet's coat)… Follow these easy steps from The Bark, to make the Bow
Wow Brunch. You will need: 3 cups cooked oatmeal, 2 cups active-culture
plain yogurt, 2 cups cottage cheese, 2 Tbsp. safflower oil, 1 banana,
peeled and coarsely mashed, 1 apple or pear, cored and chopped, 1 cup
ripe mashed mango…
Wednesday - June
15, 2016 - Today in History:
1752 - Benjamin Franklin experimented by flying a
kite during a thunderstorm. The result was a little
spark that showed the relationship between lightning
and electricity.
1775 - George Washington was appointed head of the
Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress.
1836 - Arkansas became the 25th U.S. state.
1846 - The United States and Britain settled a
boundary dispute concerning the boundary between the
U.S. and Canada, by signing a treaty.
1864 - An order to establish a military burial
ground was signed by Secretary of War Edwin M.
Stanton. The location later became known as
Arlington National Cemetery.
1877 - Henry O. Flipper became the first African
American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy
at West Point.
1898 - The U.S. House of representatives approved
the annexation of Hawaii.
1916 - U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill
incorporating the Boy Scouts of America.
1944 - American forces began their successful
invasion of Saipan during World War II.
1947 - The All-Indian Congress accepted a British
plan for the partition of India.
1983 - The U.S. Supreme Court reinforced its
position on abortion by striking down state and
local restriction on abortions.
1986 - Pravda, the Communist Party newspaper,
reported that the chief engineer of the Chernobyl
nuclear plant was dismissed for mishandling the
incident at the plant.
1992 - It was ruled by the U.S. Supreme Court that
the government could kidnap criminal suspects from
foreign countries for prosecution.
2003 - A jury in Houston convicted accounting firm
Arthur Andersen of obstruction of justice.
2006 - A divided Supreme Court made it easier for
police to barge into homes and seize evidence
without knocking or waiting.
2006 - Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said he
would transition from day-to-day responsibilities at
the company to concentrate on the charitable work of
the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
2007 - Bob Barker ended his 35-year run as host of
the CBS game show "The Price Is Right."
NATO boosts build-up in E. Europe, confirms deployment of four
multinational battalions
RT - After a NATO meeting in Brussels, the alliance’s
secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, confirmed that it plans to
deploy four multinational battalions in the Baltic States and
Poland, while President Putin has ordered snap inspections for
Russia’s military. On Tuesday, NATO agreed to deploy a new
4,000-strong force in the Baltic States and Poland, NATO
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said after a meeting of the
block’s ministers in Brussels. The move is seen as part of an
effort aimed at protecting its Eastern European allies from
Russia, which NATO apparently perceives as a threat. The four
battalions will reportedly be provided by Britain, the US,
Germany, and possibly Canada, and is to be deployed in
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland on a six-to-nine month
rotating basis, becoming NATO’s biggest military buildup since
the Cold War, diplomats told Reuters earlier…. The US is pushing
for the installation of a sophisticated anti-missile shield in
Eastern Europe to deter the “Russian threat,” which would
involve increasing the number of NATO fighter jets and
surface-to-air missile interceptors in the region. In addition,
Bulgaria and Romania are demanding that the block expand its
maritime presence in the Black Sea to counter Russia’s fleet
stationed in Crimea, which reunited with Russia in 2014.
Europeans shun militarization & see terrorism, not Russia as
biggest threat – Pew poll
RT - Europeans are weary of hard power and are reluctant to
boost defense spending despite the commitment to do so by their
governments, a Pew poll has shown. Tensions with Russia are seen
as a minor threat compared to international terrorism and
economic instability. Deterring an “aggressive Russia” with an
increased military presence in Europe is the stated goal of NATO
since 2014, but public opinion in Europe doesn’t seem to buy the
plan. According to the Pew Research Center’s Spring 2016 Global
Attitudes Survey, people in Europe don’t see Russia as a major
threat and don’t see hard power as a viable solution not only
for tensions with Moscow, but even for international terrorism,
a threat they consider the biggest for Europe. Poland is the
only one of the 10 countries surveyed that sees tensions with
Russia as a major problem. There, 71 percent of people agreed
with the statement, a far greater percentage compared to other
nations surveyed. Throughout Europe, 34 percent see Russia as a
major threat, the poll has shown.
SIS digs trenches, plants mines on Syrian border as Turkish
military looks away (EXCLUSIVE)
RT - The Turkish military has been ordered to ignore Islamic
State’s activities on Turkey’s border with Syria, allowing the
jihadists to dig trenches and plant mines unimpeded, locals in
the frontier town of Karkamis told RT. The government of
Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has recently been keen
to demonstrate its tough stance on Islamic State (IS, formerly
ISIS/ISIL), with reports of Turkish military operations against
the terror group filling the national headlines. However, RT
learned that the situation on the ground is very different from
that presented by Ankara when its correspondent, Lizzie Phelan,
visited the Turkish town of Karkamis near the border area in
Syria controlled by IS. IS militants and their fortifications in
the Syrian town of Jarablus are “strikingly visible” from the
other side of the frontier, RT’s Phelan reported.
French police chief and partner killed in stabbing claimed by
Isis
The Guardian - President François Hollande has convened crisis
talks after a man convicted for terrorist offences and claiming
allegiance to the Islamic State stabbed a French police
commander to death in front of his house outside Paris, then
killed his partner who also worked for the police. The
42-year-old police commander was in plain clothes when he was
stabbed to death as he arrived home at around 8.30pm on Monday
night in a quiet residential area of Magnanville, north-west of
Paris. The attacker then entered the house and held hostage the
commander’s partner – who also worked in the local police
administration – and the couple’s three-year-old son. Hollande
called it “incontestably a terrorist act” and said France was
facing a terror threat “of a very large scale”.
* Related:
Killer of 2 French police officers was previously sentenced on
terrorism-related charges – report
German 10-year sovereign bond yields turn negative for first
time
CNBC NEWS - At around 8.30 a.m. London time [Tuesday], the yield
hit zero and briefly fell into negative territory as investors
continued to flock to safe-haven assets. Bond prices and yields
move in opposite directions and a negative yield implies that
investors are effectively paying the German government for the
privilege of parking their cash. By the end of the European
trading day, the yield was still just in negative territory at
-0.0020 percent.
Asian shares slip, safe assets shine on Brexit anxiety
Reuters - Asian shares dipped to near three-week lows while safe
haven assets such as U.S. bonds and the yen were in demand on
Wednesday on growing anxiety Britain will choose to leave the
European Union next week. Mainland Chinese shares, among Asia's
worst performers this year, could also come under pressure after
U.S. index provider MSCI did not add domestic Chinese equities
to its global emerging markets benchmark index, despite
expectations it would.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Meet Noor Zahi Salman: The Orlando Shooter's Mysterious Second
Wife Knew Of His Plans, May Be Charged
Zero Hedge - While over the past few days, the media has been
ignoring Noor Zahi Salman, the now widow of Muslim terrorist
Omar Mateen and instead focusing on his first wife who has
accused him of beating her, being bipolar, and generally acting
deranged and sociopathic. Like in the San Bernardino terrorist
case, Noor Zahi Salman and Mateen had a young child together….
According to NBC news, Orlando gunman Omar Mateen's current
wife, Noor Salman, has told the FBI that she drove Mateen to the
Pulse nightclub on a prior occasion and that she tried to talk
him out of conducting any kind of attack, officials told NBC
News. As NBC adds, law enforcement officials said authorities
are considering filing criminal charges against her for failing
to tell them what she knew before the attack, but no decision
has been made yet. Several officials familiar with what she has
told the FBI said she was with him when he bought ammunition and
a holster. She also once drove him to the nightclub because he
wanted to see it in advance, but that she tried to dissuade him
from doing anything, the officials said.
Nightclub Witness: Orlando Terrorist Spared Black Clubgoers
Daily Caller -The witness, who played dead for three hours
during the attack, told ABC News that Mateen spared black club
patrons. “Are you guys black?” the man said Mateen, an
American-born Muslim of Afghan descent, asked as he made his way
through Pulse, Orlando’s largest gay club. “I don’t have an
issue with the blacks,” the 29-year-old killer said, according
to the witness. He also said that Mateen made several calls
while he was killing. “America needs to stop bombing ISIS,” he
said during one call to either the police or to a news station,
the witness said. Mateen reportedly placed a 911 call pledging
his allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.
Afghanistan Veteran, Pulse Bouncer Saved Dozens in Orlando
Massacre
Breitbart - Imran Yousuf, a U.S. Marine who served in
Afghanistan, is being praised as a hero for opening a door in
Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, allowing dozens to flee as jihadist
terrorist Omar Mateen opened fire on the LGBT club’s dance
floor. Yousuf, who was working as a bouncer at Pulse on Saturday
night, told CBS News that he knew the bullets were
“high-caliber” the second he heard the first shots. And he knew
to run to a staff door that had been blockaded by club patrons
looking to flee. Running to the back of the room, Yousuf never
saw Mateen…. Yousuf estimates that “over 60, 70” people ran out
through the door he opened. “I wish I could have saved more to
be honest,” he adds. “There are a lot of people that are dead…
there are a lot of people that are dead.”… The Marine Corps
Times identifies Yousuf as a former engineer equipment
electrical systems technician for the Marines who returned to
civilian life in May. He served in Afghanistan in 2011 and was
awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Sea Service
Deployment Ribbon, Korean Defense Service Medal and Afghanistan
Campaign Medal.
Former SEAL Blasts Orlando SWAT: Three Hours to Respond?
Clifford Cunningham - Special Forces veteran Matthew Bracken
expressed frustration over the apparent lack of an adequate
response by the off-duty Orlando Police Officer hired by Pulse
Nightclub for security in a recent appearance on the Alex Jones
Show…. “What about this security guard that nightclub had? The
Pulse Nightclub needs to get its money back for the off-duty
police officer,” Bracken suggested, questioning why there have
been very few reports detailing how many rounds the off-duty
Orlando Police Officer, hired for security by Pulse Nightclub,
fired at Mateen when he began opening fire at 2:02 AM…. Bracken
also made mention of an attempted mass shooting at a school in
Oregon that ended when injured students restrained the shooter
while he was reloading, calling on those who find themselves in
a mass-shooting situation to resist the shooter in any way
possible…. Florida law prohibits those with a concealed carry
permit from bringing their firearm into any institution that
serves alcohol, turning every club like Pulse Nightclub into
gun-free zones (a.k.a. victim disarmament zones).
Orlando Shooting: Still No Evidence
Paul Craig Roberts - …readers report that they have found no
evidence of bodies or blood. One person reports that a TV
station posted names of some victims, which is the way the
absence of Sandy Hook bodies was handled. One person who said he
is a veteran said the AR-15 can have a 30-round clip. That would
mean four reloadings in order to shoot 103 people. The veteran
said that the rifle can be reloaded in 5 seconds: one clip is
dropped out, another put in, and the bolt released. But 5
seconds is not fast enough to prevent being rushed. Remember,
sprinters can cover 100 yards—300 feet—in less than 10 seconds.
Ordinary people who are not couch potatoes can cover 300 feet in
20 seconds. That means they can cover 150 feet in 10 seconds or
75 feet in 5 seconds or 15 feet in 1 second.. In the crowded
club, people were likely no more than 10 feet from the shooter,
20 feet at the most. Moreover, if there is only one shooter, he
can be rushed in an arc that he cannot possibly cover. It is
difficult to imagine that there were no veterans in the club, no
people aware that guns run out of bullets and have to be
reloaded and that so many people would miss four opportunities
to disarm the shooter. It is hard to imagine that none of the
hundreds of people present were capable of presence of mind.
Bottles could be thrown at him, glasses, chairs. And no one did
anything? Mainly what readers have reported is evidence that the
Orlando shooting is a hoax.
* Related Video:
100% PROOF Orlando Shooting Was a STAGED HOAX...This Is All You
Need To See
Video: Orlando Shooting Dropping wounded when they think they
are not being filmed any longer
Watch left side as they set down the alleged victim.
Orlando shooter was employee of global security firm G4S
Reuters - Before Sunday morning, few Americans had heard of
Orlando gunman Omar Mateen's British headquartered employer,
G4S, the world's largest global security firm, which employs
more than 610,000 people in 110 countries. In the United States
alone, G4S security guards stand watch over airports, water and
power plants, nuclear facilities, immigration transportation and
even, as in the case of Mateen, gated communities. Since 2008,
G4S Secure Solutions - the company's American subsidiary ' has
received nearly $830 million worth of federal, state and local
government contracts, including for the Department of Homeland
Security, according to the SmartProcure database.
White House Refuses To Rule Out MORE Executive Action Gun
Control
Steve Watson - n the wake of the Orlando massacre, the White
House has said that Obama may use his ‘phone and pen’ once more
to pass gun control measures while bypassing Congress
altogether. “Can you say that the White House has never reached
legal determination that has exhausted all of its efforts when
it comes to unilaterally acting through executive orders and
such on gun control? Has it ever reached that determination or
is it still looking?” a reporter asked Press Secretary Josh
Earnest Monday. “I’m not going to rule out that the president
may at some point in the future take steps,” Earnest replied.
Orlando Shooter DID NOT USE AR-15 Rifle – Despite False Media
Reports
Adan Salazar - What is with the mainstream media’s obsession
with the AR-15 rifle? In the aftermath of Sunday’s shooting at
the Pulse nightclub in Florida, Orlando Police Chief John Mina
described the weapon suspect Omar Mateen used to kill 50 as an
“AR-15 style rifle.” Specifically, BearingArms.com reports: The
rifle used by the Islamist terrorist in Orlando was instead a
Sig Sauer MCX carbine, a modular, multi-caliber (able to swap to
different calibers, including 5.56 NATO, 300 BLK, and 7.62×39)
rifle system that sometimes utilizes STANAG magazines common to
more than 60 different firearms, but otherwise has no major
parts that interface with AR-15s in any way, shape or form. But
leave it to the leftist media to misconstrue the facts, then run
with their distorted versions of reality.
US gunmaker shares soar after Pulse nightclub massacre
Government Slaves - Shares in the two biggest listed US gun
manufacturers Smith & Wesson and Sturm Ruger & Co rose by 11%
and 10% in early trading and ended the day up 6.8% and 8.5%
respectively. Gun companies shares have risen strongly after
every recent mass shooting incident as investors speculate that
the atrocities might lead to tougher gun control measures. Fear
that stricter gun laws might be enacted cause more people to buy
guns, especially semi-automatic assault rifles like the AR-15
used by Orlando killer. Smith & Wesson, which sold a record
$627m worth of guns and accessories last year, is expected to
report even higher sales this year when it releases its
full-year results on Thursday. In its most recent quarterly
earnings, in March, the company said sales were up 61.5%, which
its British chief executive James Debney credited to the
“long-term trend toward personal protection”. Sales in the
quarter came in at $211m, and the company doubled its gross
profit to $87m. S&W’s share price has already rise 39% in the
last 12 years, making it one of the best performing investments
on the US stock markets. Sturm Ruger’s shares have risen about
6%.
Signed by the Governor: Louisiana Approves Medical Marijuana
Bill to Shield Patients and Caregivers from Prosecution
Tenth Amendment Center - Sen. Fred Mills Jr. (R-St. Martinville)
introduced Senate Bill 180 (SB180) on Mar. 14. It contains
simple and straight-forward language making it clear that
medical marijuana patients and providers will not be subject to
criminal penalties under Louisiana state law as long as they
abide by the existing rules and regulations set forth by the
legislature…. “It simply is unacceptable to tell parents of kids
especially that if they want to make available to their kids the
medicine that is being recommended by their doctors in order to
achieve some better quality of life, some reduction in pain or
other symptoms, that they have to move,” Edwards said when he
signed SB271.
Prominent NY Holistic Doctor Found Dead of Alleged Suicide
Health Nut News - Dr Alex Shvartsman, was a well known holistic
dentist AND an ND (a Naturopathic Doctor). He was found dead
this past weekend at his home and allegedly took his own life.
It’s not unusual for many in this sad, unintended series to have
multiple degrees as a doctor. This well loved doctor was a
dentist and an ND, while others were MDs and PhDs or DCs with
PhDs, and so on…. Besides being an ND, Dr Schvartsman practiced
mercury and drill free dentistry.
Video: Obama Fumes at Trump in Presser on #Pulse Club Massacre:
“That’s Not the America We Want”
The Gateway Pundit - Obama went off on a grab-baggery of
anti-Republican statements and went directly after GOP
presidential nominee Donald Trump…. NBC News reported: The
president also directly singled out Trump, who on Monday doubled
down on his proposed ban of Muslim immigration and expanded his
proposal to “suspend immigration from areas of the world where
there is a proven history of terrorism against the United
States, Europe or allies.” “Where does this stop?” Obama asked
on Tuesday in an emotional appeal. “Are we going to start
treating all Muslim Americans differently? Place them under
special surveillance? Discriminate against them because of their
faith? Do Republican officials actually agree with this? Because
that’s not the America we want. It doesn’t reflect our ideals.”
* Related:
Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton Copy Each Other In Anti-Donald
Trump Post-Orlando Terror Speeches
Reuters: Half of Likely Voters Back Temporary Ban on All Muslim
Entry to United States
Breitbart - In the wake of the terrorist attack in Orlando, 50
percent of likely voters now support a temporary halt on Muslim
entry into the United States. Just 42 percent of likely voters
oppose a temporary ban. That suggested policy is a much harder
line than the temporary ban on Muslim immigration, or the
long-term ban on immigration from countries with a history of
radical Islam, that have been proposed by GOP candidate Donald
Trump. The finding represents a 22-point swing since the
beginning of the month. At the end of May, just 40 percent of
likely voters supported a halt, while 54 percent opposed one.
The Reuters survey, it should be noted, is based on a rolling
average over the last 5 days. Even though Tuesday’s average
shows a surge in support for a ban, most of the interviews on
the question were conducted before the Orlando terrorist
attacks. This suggests that support for the ban will rising over
the coming days as more interviews conducted after news of the
attack are included in the rolling average.
Hillary Clinton Took Millions from Anti-LGBT Countries That Jail
and Execute Gays
Breitbart - In her response to the Islamic terror attack in
Orlando, Hillary Clinton called on the governments of Saudi
Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait to stop allowing their citizens to
fund terrorists and to “stop supporting radical schools and
mosques.” However, she failed to mention that the Clinton
Foundation has spent years accepting millions in donations from
countries that throw homosexuals in prison, fine them, sentence
them to hard labor, and even execute them for the “crime” of
being gay…. Below is a list of eight nations that Hillary
Clinton’s foundation took contributions from while those
counties’ leaders were enforcing harsh punishments on lesbian,
gay, bi-sexual, and transsexual people. Algeria. The Nation of
Brunei, Jamaica, Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
United Arab Emirates [and] Morocco-owned OCP, a phosphate
exportation company…
Hackers invade Dems’ servers, steal entire Trump opposition file
Ars Technica - A hack on the Democratic National Committee has
given attackers access to a massive trove of data, including all
opposition research into presidential candidate Donald Trump and
almost a year's worth of private e-mail and chat messages,
according to a published report. n an article published
Wednesday, The Washington Post reported that researchers with
CrowdStrike, the security firm DNC officials hired to
investigate and contain the breach, determined the intrusions
were carried out by two separate hacker groups that both worked
for the Russian government. One, dubbed Cozy Bear, gained access
last summer and has been monitoring committee members' e-mail
and chat communications. The other is known as Fancy Bear and is
believed to have broken into the network in late April. It was
the latter intrusion that obtained the entire database of Trump
opposition and later tipped off IT team members the network may
have been breached…. Details about those campaigns weren't
available. The hackers who penetrated the DNC network were
expelled last weekend. No financial and donor information
appears to have been taken, leaving analysts to suspect the
attack was a case of traditional espionage and not the work of
criminal hackers.
Banks are secretly 'red flagging' our everday transactions for
DHS
MassPrivateI -The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
is issuing this advisory to provide financial institutions with
information on identifying and reporting transactions possibly
associated with Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) who support
the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), al-Qa’ida, and
their affiliates in Iraq and the Lev ant region. Financial
institutions may use this information to enhance their
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) risk-based strategies and monitoring
systems…. "Financial institutions may find available social
media information helpful in evaluating potential suspicious
activity and in identifying risks connected to the red flags
provided in this and other advisories. Similarly, the location
from which a customer logs into a financial institution’s online
services platform may also be considered when determining
whether a transaction is suspicious.”… According to the FinCEN
[Financial Crimes Enforcement Network] document Americans can be
'red flagged' for the following reasons.... 1.) "Purchasing
goods at camping or survival stores" 2.) "Purchasing
first-person shooter games or engaging in combat training-type
activities" 3.) "Establishing lines of credit and taking out
personal loans where no loan repayments are made" [and] 4.)
"Liquidating personal assets, including retirement
accounts/plans, and obtaining life insurance policies"
New Machine Turns Food Waste into Energy
Natural Society - An Israeli company, HomeBioGas, has created a portable
machine that turns food waste into renewable energy for cooking or
electricity, and its byproduct can even be used as plant fertilizer. The
machine, which is temporarily available for $995, is part of an
initiative to help create more sustainable energy as well as provide
electricity and gas for cooking in parts of the world where it is spotty
or lacking. The machine is also portable, and can be easily packed up
and moved, which makes it a fantastic invention for those without a
permanent home looking to provide electricity and gas to temporary
shelters. It differs from other compost in that it not only accepts
plants, but also meat, dairy, fats, oils, and even used kitty litter.
The machine will compost it and release biogas to the tune of about 6
kilowatt hours of energy. This gives individuals using the HomeBioGas
enough gas for about three hours of cooking.
Net Neutrality Rules Upheld
Electronic Frontier Foundation - In a crucial win for Internet
users, today a federal appeals court upheld clear net neutrality
rules that will let us all use and enjoy the Internet without
unfair interference from Internet service providers. The rules
will keep providers from blocking or slowing traffic, or
speeding up traffic for those who pay. Last year, EFF and other
advocacy groups, along with millions of Americans, called on the
FCC to do its part to defend Internet expression and innovation.
We urged them to adopt focused rules based on a legal framework
that would finally stand up to the inevitable legal challenge,
but also limit their own authority in order to help prevent a
future FCC from abusing its regulatory power. The FCC responded
with an Open Internet Order that largely did just that. The
court today affirmed that Order.
* Related:
After net neutrality loss, ISPs get ready to take case to
Supreme Court
Start-Up Company Develops Solar-Powered Television and Radio,
Connecting Rural East Africa to the World
Natural Blaze - In Africa, the sun is available almost all year
round. This encouraged Jesse Moore, a former aid worker from
Canada, to establish a start-up company called M-KOPA Solar. The
company specializes in using solar energy to power gadgets such
as televisions, radios, bulbs and mobile phones. In 2011, Moore
started to work in rural areas in Kenya, selling his solar
technology for residents to use, to power their radios, bulbs
and charge their phones. Today, M-KOPA Solar is fast growing,
becoming a viable business venture. The company has invented its
latest gadget, a 16-inch television that runs completely on
solar energy. The flat screen television has brought joy to
rural residents in East Africa. Apart from Kenya, the company
has expanded to four other countries in East Africa. Since it
launched the solar TV in February, it has sold over 5,000 sets
in Kenya alone. According to Mr Moore, the company is even
struggling to keep up with demand…. The TV and solar panel cost
$500 in total. However, due to extreme poverty in rural Africa,
most people cannot afford the technology. However, Mr Moore has
put in place a perfect payment system that ensures that the
rural residents are able to buy the solar gadgets. … 50 cents
and $1.25 a day over 1 to 2 years, depending on their payment
plan.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
North Dakota Considers Whether to Allow Corporate Farming
AllGov -Starting in 1932, North Dakota law barred nonfamily
corporations from owning farmland or operating farms. But that
changed in March of last year when the state legislature passed
a bill that would relax the corporate farming ban and Republican
Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed it into law. Citizens protested the
new law, with the state’s farmers union at the forefront, which
led to the referendum that voters will face on Tuesday. The law
was set to take effect last August, but its fate rests on the
outcome of the referendum. A vote for the measure would uphold
the new law, which allows domestic corporations and limited
liability companies to own and to operate dairy farms and swine
production facilities on land that is no larger than 640 acres,
or 1 square mile. A vote against the measure would repeal the
new legislation and restore the law that had governed farm and
dairy operations in the state for more than eight decades. While
the debate is very much focused on maintaining the character of
North Dakota, it also taps into widespread fears about the
disappearance of family farms throughout the United States and
the spread of big corporations and their farming methods into
rural America.
Common painkillers found to cause increased long term pain
(NaturalHealth365) Evidence is mounting that taking opioid
painkillers like morphine and oxycodone can in some cases
actually make pain worse over time. This is, in part, because
the more an opioid painkiller is used, the higher the dose that
will be required to have the same effect in the future. However,
new findings show that using painkillers over time also makes
the body more sensitive to the sensations pain – which in turn
fuels the need for even higher doses. This insidious effect,
called hyperalgesia, renders pain medications less and less
effective for relief from chronic pain. Because of this, people
reach for increasing amounts of these drugs, raising their risk
of side effects and dependence…. The list of dangerous side
effects of opioid painkillers is formidable, making the need for
finding safe alternatives an urgent matter. Some of the top
natural remedies for pain include: vitamin C, willow bark,
turmeric, cloves and holistic treatments like acupuncture,
acupressure, reflexology and massage.
She Paid Her Medical Bills In Cash. You Won’t Believe What She
Saved
Off the Grid News - A woman identified only as Caroline was
billed $269.42 for five blood tests; her insurance company, Blue
Shield, was charged another $408, for a total of $677.42.
Surprised by the bill from Torrance Memorial Medical Center in
California – the tests were for common things such as vitamins –
she called the hospital, according to Los Angeles Times
columnist David Lazarus. “I was completely surprised,” Caroline
told the Times. “The woman I spoke with in billing said that if
I’d paid cash, the prices would have been much lower.” If she
had paid in cash, each test would have cost $15. Instead, the
hospital charged her insurance company about $80 for each test –
meaning the original bill was more than five times the cash
amount…. Cash prices for many medical tests and procedures are
often – but not always — lower than the prices charged to
insurance companies, the Times reported. The prices are lower
because they are designed for uninsured patients, but often,
anyone can take advantage of them…. Healthcare providers jack up
costs as high as possible when they negotiate for reimbursement
rates from health insurers, the newspaper reported. The prices
they quote are often several times the actual cost, to give them
plenty of room to make money.
Lavender Oil: The Off-Grid Way To Fight Anxiety, Heal Wounds And
Sleep Better, Too
Off the Grid News - Lavender essential oil is one of the more
commonly used essential oils and is perhaps the most versatile
of all oils. It is a non-toxic, non-irritating and
non-sensitizing essential oil, so it is safe for all skin types.
It has both stimulating and relaxing properties, and is known as
a powerful healer and an antiseptic. Lavender essential oil
refreshes, calms, invigorates and lifts the spirits. I use
lavender essential oil to help with my insomnia, as well as to
reduce periodic bouts of tension, anxiety and depression. I find
it exceptional for calming itching due to eczema and minor skin
irritations such as rashes or insect bites. Lavender essential
oil also aids in soothing my sore muscles, backaches and
headaches. It is an excellent first-aid treatment when used to
help with the healing of minor wounds and the prevention of
infection. The best ways to use lavender essential oil is
through massage therapy and aromatherapy.
Fresh Rose Clay Facial Mask
Mother Earth Living - There’s not much that’s more healing or
detoxifying than a good clay mask. It’s super-easy to create
your own, and you can use pretty much any flower if you like.
This recipe is definitely not set in stone — you have to
experiment and do a little trial and error. But once you have
adjusted the recipe to your satisfaction, make sure you write
down your ingredients and ratios. Make a huge batch and fill a
bunch of jars — this stuff has a really long shelf life. You can
give some away as gifts as well! Ingredients: • 2 tablespoons
powdered French green clay (for oily/troubled skin), bentonite
clay (for serious healing), or white cosmetic clay (for
sensitive, dry, or mature skin) • 1 teaspoon powdered rose
petals (could also include powdered lavender and powdered
chamomile) • 1 tablespoon glycerin • 1 teaspoon raw apple cider
vinegar • 1 teaspoon jojoba or almond oil (optional, but include
for dry skin conditions; use water if you’re omitting the oil) •
5 drops rose essential oil or 3 drops rose oil, 1 drop lavender
oil, and 1 drop chamomile oil.
Why Coconut Oil is Good for Your Teeth
Authority Nutrition - Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid
that makes up almost 50% of coconut oil. In fact, this oil is
the richest source of lauric acid known to man. Your body breaks
lauric acid down into a compound called monolaurin. Both lauric
acid and monolaurin can kill harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses
in the body. According to research, lauric acid is more
effective at killing these pathogens than any other saturated
fatty acid.What’s more, studies suggest that many of the health
benefits associated with coconut oil are directly caused by
lauric acid. The most popular ways to use coconut oil for your
teeth are using it in a process called “oil pulling,” or making
toothpaste with it.
Two Innocent Mistakes That Could Set the Stage for Kidney Disease
Dr. Becker - Research has established a link between feline distemper
vaccines and immune-mediated inflammation of the kidneys, which is a
cause of chronic kidney disease….Many indoor-only cats are never at risk
and can healthfully go their whole lives without being immunized. Your
integrative veterinarian can help you assess your cat’s risk of
disease…. Feeding cats an exclusively dry-food diet is also associated
with development of CKD. Kitties are designed to meet most or all of
their body’s water requirements through their diet, not at the water
bowl, so they don’t have the thirst drive of other species. The quality
of protein in most dry cat foods is terrible; there’s a HUGE difference
between “feed grade” and “food grade” (human grade). I believe rendered
protein is harder to digest and process. Fed consistently, it can cause
organ stress to the liver and kidneys. Additionally, kibble provides a
very small percentage of the water a canned or raw diet offers. Cats fed
only kibble suffer chronic mild dehydration that causes significant
stress to the kidneys over time.
Tuesday - June
14, 2016 - Today in History:
1775 - The Continental Army was founded by the Second Continental
Congress for purposes of common defense. This event is considered to be
the birth of the United States Army. On June 15, George Washington was
appointed commander-in-chief.
1777 - The Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the "Stars and
Stripes" as the national flag of the United States. The Flag Resolution
stated "Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen
stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars,
white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation." On May 20,
1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed June 14 "Flag Day"
as a commemoration of the "Stars and Stripes."
1846 - A group of U.S. settlers in Sonoma proclaimed the Republic of
California.
1893 - Philadelphia observed the first Flag Day.
1900 - Hawaii became a U.S. territory.
1922 - Warren G. Harding became the first U.S. President to be heard on
radio. It was for the dedication of the Francis Scott Key memorial at
Fort McHenry.
1927 - Nicaraguan President Adolfo Diaz signed a treaty with the U.S.
allowing American intervention in his country.
1940 - The Nazis opened their concentration camp at Auschwitz in
German-occupied Poland.
1940 - German troops entered Paris. As Paris became occupied loud
speakers announced the implementation of a curfew being imposed for 8
p.m.
1943 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that schoolchildren could not be
made to salute the U.S. flag if doing so conflicted with their religious
beliefs.
1944 - Sixty U.S. B-29 Superfortress' attacked an iron and steel works
factory on Honshu Island.
1945 - Burma was liberated by Britain.
1949 - The state of Vietnam was formed.
1954 - U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an order adding the
words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance.
1954 - Americans took part in the first nation-wide civil defense test
against atomic attack.
1965 - A military triumvirate took control in Saigon, South Vietnam.
1989 - Former U.S. President Reagan received an honorary knighthood from
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.
1990 - The U.S. Supreme Court upheld police checkpoints that are used to
examine drivers for signs of intoxication.
1994 - The New York Rangers won the Stanley Cup by defeating the
Vancouver Canucks. It was the first time the Rangers had won the cup in
54 years.
2002 - Actor Kirk Douglas received the UCLA Medal. The award is
presented to people for cultural, political and humanitarian
achievements.
2007 - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared an emergency after
the Hamas militant group effectively took control of the Gaza Strip.
U.S. plans billions in Afghan funding until 2020, seeks allies'
help
Reuters - The United States is asking its allies helping with
security in Afghanistan to maintain funding for Afghan forces at
a cost of nearly $5 billion a year until at least 2020, a top
U.S. military commander said on Monday. The plan extends the
international financial commitment for the foreseeable future at
a time when Western leaders have been hoping to reduce
Afghanistan's reliance on foreign military aid.... Under the
current funding structure, the United States provides a little
more than $3.5 billion a year. Other countries contribute
another $900 million to $1 billion, while the Afghan government
pays more than $400 million, a share [Major General Skip] Davis
said was expected to grow.... Among the factors that coalition
commanders are considering as they recommend funding and troop
levels are the high rates of Afghan casualties, their struggles
in training new troops and replacing damaged equipment, and the
continuing "fragility" of the national government, Davis said.
"Last year was a big signal that the Afghan army and police need
some more time," he said.
NATO Chief: 4 Battalions Going to Baltic States, Poland
The Epoch Times - Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary-general,
said alliance defense ministers will formally approve the
deployment plan drafted by NATO military planners at a meeting
that begins Tuesday in Brussels. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and
Poland, four of NATO’s members that feel most threatened by
Russia, will each be reinforced by “a robust multinational
battalion,” Stoltenberg told a news conference. “This will send
a clear signal that NATO stands ready to defend any ally,” the
alliance chief said.There was no immediate reaction from Moscow.
The Kremlin has accused NATO of moving more and more military
forces close to its borders, and vowed to do what it takes to
protect Russia’s national security and interests.... The United
States, Britain and Germany have already committed to acting as
so-called framework nations to furnish core forces for three of
the battalions.
Russia: We will respond to entry of U.S. naval vessel into Black
Sea
Reuters - Russian state media reported that the USS Porter, a
U.S. naval destroyer, entered the Black Sea a few days ago on a
routine deployment, a move it said raised hackles in Moscow
because it had recently been fitted with a new missile system.
U.S. Navy officials told reporters on Wednesday the U.S.
military would also have two aircraft carriers in the
Mediterranean this month ahead of a July NATO summit in Warsaw
as Washington sought to balance Russian military activities. "Of
course, this does not meet with our approval and will
undoubtedly lead to response measures," RIA [a state-operated
domestic Russian-language news agency] cited Andrei Kelin, a
senior Foreign Ministry official, as saying about the USS
Porter's movements. He also said the deployment of U.S. aircraft
carriers in the Mediterranean was a show of force which in his
view deepened a chill in ties between Moscow and Washington
caused by Russia's actions in Ukraine and Syria.
Beijing to build 10,000ft deep underwater lab in South China Sea
RT - If successful, this will be the first project for long-term
human habitation at such depths. "Having this kind of long-term
inhabited station has not been attempted this deep, but it is
certainly possible. Manned submersibles have gone to those
depths for almost 50 years. The challenge is operating it for
months at a time,” Bryan Clark from the Washington-based Center
for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments told Bloomberg.... "The
deep sea contains treasures that remain undiscovered and
undeveloped, and in order to obtain these treasures we have to
control key technologies in getting into the deep sea,
discovering the deep sea, and developing the deep sea," Chinese
President Xi Jinping told reporters last month at a national
science conference.
Canadian economy faces sharpest quarterly contraction since
financial crisis
Government Slaves - Announcing late last month that it would
maintain its base interest rate at a record low 0.5 percent, the
Bank of Canada projected Canada’s economy would contract between
April and June. While much of the projected downturn can be put
down to the estimated 1.25 percent knocked off economic growth
by the Alberta wildfires and resultant halt to oil production, a
number of key economic sectors continue to deteriorate.
Researchers at BMO Capital Markets have predicted that this will
result in a second-quarter contraction of more than 1
percent.... Canada has been hard hit by falling commodity
prices, especially the collapse in oil prices from over $100 per
barrel in 2014. Tens of thousands of oil workers have lost their
jobs, and Canada’s oil-producing provinces, particularly Alberta
and Newfoundland, are in deep recessions.... To the surprise of
many analysts, May’s job figures, which were released yesterday,
showed a slight decrease in unemployment to 6.9 percent.... When
discouraged workers are included, the jobless rate is closer to
10 percent.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Co-Worker Reported Nightclub Killer; Ignored Because of
Political Correctness
Paul Joseph Watson - Florida Today reports that former Fort
Pierce police officer Daniel Gilroy worked the same job as
Mateen for G4S Security at the south gate at PGA Village for
several months from 2014-2015. Gilroy frequently complained that
Mateen “frequently made homophobic and racial comments” and that
his behavior was “unhinged and unstable,” but bosses ignored him
“because (Mateen) was Muslim.” After Gilroy quit, he was stalked
by Mateen, with the killer sending him dozens of text messages
every day. “I quit because everything he said was toxic,” Gilroy
said Sunday, “and the company wouldn’t do anything. This guy was
unhinged and unstable. He talked of killing people.” The
circumstances are similar in nature to how the San Bernardino
jihadists were not reported to police because neighbors feared
they would be labeled racist.
FBI searching Orlando gunman's computer for digital evidence he
scouted Disney World
Fox News - Investigators from the FBI are searching the
electronic devices of the Muslim terrorist who killed at least
49 people in an Orlando nightclub for any direct indications
that he planned to target Disney World or nearby Downtown
Disney, a law enforcement source close to the investigation told
Fox News on Monday. The search for evidence of any plan to
target Disney is in addition to scrubbing those devices for
communications with any FBI-flagged individuals, domestic or
international, the source said. As of Monday, investigators are
currently scrubbing the Pulse nightclub gunman’s computer for
any pictures or videos of Disney World that would suggest Mateen
cased the park or its surrounding areas as a potential target,
according to the source.
Video: Pulse Attack Survivor: There Were Multiple Gunmen
Joe Biggs - Witness claims the single shooter narrative is
false. A man who survived the terror attack early Sunday morning
at a gay nightclub, said he believed there were 2 gunmen and not
just one. Now we know Omar Mateen had radical Islamic views, no
thanks to his father those views only grew stronger. The friend
of a bartender who was shot three times at the Pulse nightclub
in Orlando, Florida relays what his friend told him happened
Sunday, step by step. “People need to start carrying concealed,
because this is only going to get worse.”
5 Reasons to Question the Official Story of the Orlando Shooting
Brandon Turbeville - Already, a number of points lend credence
to those who might suggest that intelligence agencies more so
than desert-dwelling terrorist organizations are responsible for
organizing and directing the attacks. A number of questionable
aspects regarding this shooting include: 1.The FBI knew about
the shooter and investigated him prior to the attack. 2.The
shooter had a connection to a known ISIS recruiter. 3.The
shooter’s father was a former “Afghan presidential candidate”
who supported the Taliban. 4.The FBI’s history in creating
terrorism…. While the right-wing media blames Muslims and the
left-wing media blame guns, perhaps it would be more effective
if thinking individuals would examine the possibilities that
this attack was a false flag incident designed to push an agenda
that would benefit those in power in some way or other. Out of
this attack we will no doubt see another push for the
evisceration of the Second Amendment and other civil liberties
as well as increased hype regarding ISIS as a threat to the
American way of life and a greater attempt at justification for
foreign adventures…. If this attack is indeed placed in the lap
of ISIS, however, all fingers should immediately point to NATO
and the Atlanticist Intelligence apparatus. It is they who
control ISIS and they who bear the responsibility for its
actions. If the attack is attributed to a lone jihadist nut the
FBI has some serious explaining to do since it appears that the
agency itself is the greatest initiator of terrorist activity
inside American borders and is either the most incompetent
anti-terror fighter in the U.S. or it is complicit in the
attacks that take place.
Scammers have already started trying to exploit Orlando shooting
for bitcoins
Ars Technica - The vultures have already begun to descend on the
tragedy in Orlando, Florida. A fake Twitter account claiming to
represent the nightclub where the largest mass shooting in
modern US history took place in the early hours of June 12 was
calling for donations to assist victims—by sending bitcoins to
buy bottled water and Oreo cookies. The account was suspended on
Monday afternoon. The scammers used a common tactic—they
hijacked the name of the Pulse nightclub, attached the account
to the various "hashtags" associated with the shooting, and
built the account's apparent profile by attaching an army of
fake followers so they could draw the attention of people
following conversations about the shooting. The Twitter account
directed followers to a shortened Web address to make donations.
That Web address linked to the six-month-old domain
desifreemovies.net—a domain with a fake registration address in
California and a contact e-mail account associated with the
Hushmail anonymous e-mail service....
Louisiana Re-brands Common Core in Attempt to Dupe Citizens
The New American - Basically, policymakers re-branded the scheme
as “Louisiana Standards,” while pretending that there had been
some “revisions” to the widely loathed education-nationalization
effort. However, according to experts and activists involved in
the process, the politically toxic national education standards
imposed on state governments with federal funding and pressure
remain almost entirely intact in Louisiana, despite the new
name.... Amid the uprising among parents, teachers, taxpayers,
and others, Louisiana officials created a “review committee”
dominated by Common Core apparatchiks to supposedly “review” the
standards and revise them. Officially, the panel changed some 20
percent of the Common Core standards in English and Math as part
of its revisions. However, according to experts, activists, and
an analysis of the changes, less than three percent was actually
changed, said educator Ganey Arceneaux, an education activist
from Lake Charles who runs the Educate Louisiana service and
testified against the re-branded Common Core standards.... The
veteran Louisiana educator also noted that each and every person
who spoke in favor of the standards has at one point been
compensated to support, promote, or implement Common Core.
Walgreens dumps Theranos’ questionable blood tests from its
stores
The Verge - Walgreens has announced that it's terminating its
partnership with blood-testing startup Theranos.... Walgreens
halted expansion of Theranos operations in its store last
October after a Wall Street Journal article raised questions
about the startup's technology. Since then, a number of claims
from Theranos about its partnerships and scientific methods have
come under scrutiny (it lied about working with GlaxoSmithKline,
and comparison studies have shown its blood tests were subpar).
In May, the company even voided two years of tests made using
its proprietary Edison machine.... Theranos has also been hit
with two class action lawsuits in recent weeks for misleading
consumers about the accuracy of its blood tests. In one of
these, Walgreens was named as a co-defendant. The drugstore
chain reportedly failed to test Theranos' technology before it
brought the company into its stores in 2013. The initial deal
gave Theranos its first shot of publicity, and legitimized the
company's operations and its central promise — conducting tests
using just a drop, rather than vial, of blood.
Video: Trump Speech Addresses Radical Islamic Terror
Infowars - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump had
planned an epic takedown of Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton
for Monday, but following yesterday’s massacre in Orlando, the
businessman will instead address the issue of radical Islamic
terror.
Hillary Clinton: Reinstate Assault Weapons Ban…
During an interview with CNN’s Chris Cuomo, Clinton called for a
reinstatement of the assault weapons ban. “We did have an
assault weapons ban for ten years,” she said. “I think it should
be reinstated.” During an interview with the Today Show, she
added, “Let’s keep weapons of war off our streets like the one
that was used in Orlando.” Clinton criticized Florida’s gun
laws, blaming legislatures for not regulating assault weapons,
50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines. She
also blamed Florida for not requiring a permit to purchase a
gun, not requiring gun registration, and not requiring gun
owners to be licensed to carry a shotgun or a rifle.
Trump Revokes Press Credentials from Washington Post after
Latest Dishonest Hit Piece
The Gateway Pundit - The Wall Street Journal reported:
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on
Monday said his campaign is revoking the press credentials of
the Washington Post, citing its coverage of the candidate’s
comments on the Orlando shooting. “Based on the incredibly
inaccurate coverage and reporting of the record setting Trump
campaign, we are hereby revoking the press credentials of the
phony and dishonest Washington Post,” Mr. Trump said in a post
on Facebook. Press credentials typically give reporters access
to campaign events and press conferences. “We no longer feel
compelled to work with a publication which has put its need for
‘clicks’ above journalistic integrity,” the campaign said in
statement released following the Facebook post. “They have no
journalistic integrity and write falsely about Mr. Trump. Mr.
Trump does not mind a bad story, but it has to be honest.” The
Trump campaign pointed to the initial Post headline “Donald
Trump Suggests President Obama Was Involved With Orlando
Shooting” as the reason for revoking credentials. The story
centered on Mr. Trump’s comment on Fox News on Monday morning
that President Barack Obama doesn’t understand Islamic
terrorism, or “he gets it better than anybody understands.” In
his Fox comments, Mr. Trump also said: “Look guys, we’re led by
a man that either is not tough, not smart or has something else
in mind.”
Saudi Crown Prince: We Fund 20% Of Clinton's Presidential
Campaign
Mint Press News - Saudi Arabia has paid more than 20 percent of
the cost of Hillary Clinton’s campaign for presidential
elections, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was
quoted as saying Sunday in a news report by the Jordanian Petra
News Agency. According to the Middle East Eye news website, the
report was later deleted from the agency’s website. However, a
snapshot of the original Arabic version was later republished by
the Washington-based Institute for Gulf Affairs. “Saudi Arabia
has always sponsored both Republican and Democratic Parties of
America and… the kingdom also provides with full enthusiasm 20
percent of the cost of Hillary Clinton’s campaign in the U.S.
presidential elections despite the fact that some influential
forces within the country don’t have a positive look toward
supporting the candidate because she is a woman,” the agency’s
report quoted Prince Mohammed as saying.... It is illegal in the
U.S. for presidential candidates to accept funding from foreign
governments, but Saudi Arabia and Clinton are no strangers to
exchanging favors. The Clinton Foundation, which is chaired by
both Hillary and her husband Bill Clinton, disclosed in 2008
that it had accepted up to US$25 million from the Saudi Kingdom
in the same year. Other foreign governments who have donated
money to the Clintons include Norway, Kuwait, Qatar, Brunei,
Oman, Italy and Jamaica, which together donated around US$20
million.
* Related:
Trump Calls on Clinton Foundation to Return $25M+ in Saudi
Arabia Money
WikiLeaks to publish more Hillary Clinton emails - Julian
Assange
The Guardian - Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has
said his organisation is preparing to publish more emails
Hillary Clinton sent and received while US secretary of state.
Clinton, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, is
under FBI investigation to determine whether she broke federal
law by using her private email in sending classified
information. A new WikiLeaks release of Clinton emails is likely
to fan a controversy that has bedevilled her campaign and
provide further ammunition for Donald Trump, her Republican
presidential rival, who has used the issue to attack her.
Assange’s comments came in an interview on ITV’s Peston on
Sunday. “We have upcoming leaks in relation to Hillary Clinton …
We have emails pending publication, that is correct,” Assange
said. He did not specify when or how many emails would be
published.
Landmark Study Shows Nature Kills PTSD in Combat Veterans
Natural Blaze - Researchers gathered “two dozen UC Berkeley
student veterans whose psychological and physiological response
to the awesomeness of big nature is being studied,” Berkeley
News reported, during and after participating in whitewater
rafting. Combat veteran of two tours in Afghanistan, Jet Garner,
took part in a rafting trip down the North Fork American River
with fellow vets last summer, and noted remarkably positive
results: It felt like we were really living in the moment. It
really felt like we were moving on beyond our hang-ups. But
researchers found the benefits didn’t end with the trip, as just
one week after rafting, veterans “reported a 30 percent decrease
in PTSD symptoms,” as well as better relations with friends and
family….Another rather obvious gift provided by nature to those
experiencing PTSD has benefits known even by the federal
government — despite ongoing national prohibition. Cannabis
treats PTSD so effectively — as both clinical and anecdotal
evidence has shown — the Drug Enforcement Agency recently
approved the first-ever study of its whole-plant medicinal use
for vets in April. By allowing the use of the whole cannabis
plant, the DEA opened the door for even the smoked variety to be
studied for potential alleviation of PTSD symptoms.
NSA Looking to Exploit Internet of Things, Including Biomedical
Devices
The Intercept - “We’re looking at it sort of theoretically from
a research point of view right now,” Richard Ledgett, the NSA’s
deputy director, said at a conference on military technology at
Washington’s Newseum on Friday. Biomedical devices could be a
new source of information for the NSA’s data hoards — “maybe a
niche kind of thing … a tool in the toolbox,” he said, though he
added that there are easier ways to keep track of overseas
terrorists and foreign intelligence agents. When the agency is
looking to exploit different new devices, the NSA has to
prioritize its resources, which are usually focused on the “bad
guys’” tech of choice rather than popular gadgets in the U.S.,
Ledgett explained.... Ledgett isn’t the only intelligence
official to identify the growing Internet of Things as a
possibility for global spying. The Director of National
Intelligence himself said during a Senate hearing on worldwide
threats in February that interconnected devices could be useful
“for identification, surveillance, monitoring, location
tracking, and targeting for recruitment, or to gain access to
networks or user credentials.”
Lawsuit charges BMW's i3 electric car slows dangerously when
battery ebbs
ConsumerAffairs - A class action lawsuit charges that the BMW i3
electric city car turns range anxiety into sheer panic when its
optional range extender kicks in, causing the car to go into
"limp mode," slowing suddenly to 15 miles per hour. The range
extender -- called "REx" -- is a small two-cylinder engine that
acts as a generator, helping to keep the battery charged when it
falls below 6.5 percent. But lead plaintiff Dean Rollolazo says
that instead of extending the little car's range, REx turns it
into something more like a golf cart than a car capable of
running safely in freeway traffic, Courthouse News Service
reported. BMW sells the optional range extender to relieve
drivers' fear that their battery will give up the ghost when
they're miles from home. But Rollolazo's suit says the range
extender instear produces a "sudden, severe and dangerous loss
in power because the range extender does not produce enough
power for the vehicle to maintain normal performance."
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
Farmer Who Sold Millions in Fake Organic Seeds Is Now Headed to
Prison
Atlas Obscura - The inspector for the Idaho State Department of
Agriculture was confused. A manager at the Caldwell, Idaho,
plant he was inspecting in March 2015 had just stated that a
farmer named Bernard Saul had delivered around 300,000 pounds of
alfalfa seeds in an eight-month period to be coated.... But to
Jason Laney, the inspector, 300,000 pounds seemed impossible.
Saul’s farm in Bliss, Idaho, was just 48 acres, and should only
be producing 15 percent of that total.... What was going on
here? Fraud, among other things, and a criminal scheme that
Saul, 58, had been running for years. Fake organic foods can be
massively lucrative, since foods labeled as organic can command
such high prices. In Saul's case, that meant he could sell his
seeds at $1.25 a pound more than what he might get if they were
conventional seeds. That may sound small, but it added up: to
over $1.9 million in profits over the course of around five
years, prosecutors have said.... On Tuesday, he received his
sentence—three years in prison, and restitution of $1.9 million.
FL Attorney Says Growing Vegetables Not a Fundamental Right
Brandon Turbeville - A new local controversy is brewing in South
Florida surrounding yet another instance of local governments
imposing fines on residents and persecuting them over
maintaining gardens on their property. After living in Miami
Shores for 17 years, and growing vegetables in their front yard
for the same amount of time, Tom Carroll and Hermine Ricketts
were forced to dig up the garden in front of their home in 2014
when they were threatened by town officials with $50 a day fines
if they did not. The threat of fines came only a few months
after the Miami Shores Village Council passed a new zoning plan
meaning that low-level bureaucrats wasted no time in fanning out
amongst residential areas to uproot violators. The couple is now
suing on grounds that the ban on front yard gardens violates the
Florida Constitution by imposing improper limits on private
property rights as well as violating the equal protection
clause. The couple is being represented by lawyers with
Institute for Justice, a Libertarian non-profit organization
that focuses on free speech and property rights among other
issues.
Turmeric for Cancer? Study Says the Spice Shows Promise
Natural Society - Scientists from the UK have demonstrated for the first
time in patient-derived colorectal cell lines that a turmeric extract
(curcumin) is an effective aid for enhancing conventional chemotherapy
and that it may be even more effective all by itself. Curcumin is highly
available in elevated concentrations in turmeric. Published in August
2015 in Cancer Letters, “Curcumin inhibits cancer stem cell phenotypes
in ex vivo models of colorectal liver metastases, and is clinically safe
and tolerable in combination with FOLFOX chemotherapy” finds that a diet
high in diet-derived curcumin not only aids chemotherapy patients, but
might be able to circumvent the need for chemo entirely.
Careful with those statins—‘bad’ cholesterol helps us live longer
What Doctors Don't Tell You - The over-60s who have the highest levels
of LDL cholesterol are less likely to develop fatal diseases, such as
cancer, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems—and heart disease, the
very thing it’s supposed to cause. This is because medicine completely
misunderstands the function of LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
cholesterol. Far from being an artery-clogging fat, it seems to counter
micro-organisms that can cause these fatal diseases, says a group of 17
scientists from a range of medical and academic institutions, including
Harvard Medical School. They assessed the mortality and LDL cholesterol
levels of 68,096 people aged over 60, and discovered that 80 per cent of
those living the longest also had the highest levels of LDL cholesterol.
Conversely, those with the lowest levels were far more likely to die
prematurely. There is an association between total cholesterol levels
and heart disease among younger people, the researchers concede, but the
balance tilts the other way once someone reaches the age of 60, the very
time when public health policy dictates that statins should be taken as
a routine ‘just-in-case’ protection against heart disease.
Man Lives 555 Days Without a Heart
Natural Society - A 25-year-old man lived 555 days without a heart by
carrying around a machine to keep his body going in a backpack. The
young man has since received a heart transplant and has been able to
ditch his 13.5-pound portable device. Stan Larkin has had heart problems
ever since the age of 16 when he collapsed during a basketball game. The
then teenager was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular
dysplasia (ARVD), which causes the heart to beat abnormally and carries
a risk of patients’ hearts suddenly stopping. […] Larkin was put on the
list for a heart transplant. Being behind hundreds of others, doctors
knew Larkin couldn’t survive without the machine, which left him
bedridden, until his name came up. In order to allow Larkin to live a
somewhat normal life, Dr. Jonathan Haft, his cardiac surgeon, gave him a
13.5 SynCardia Freedom Portable Driver in December of 2014, a portable
machine that pumped Larkin’s blood for him.
NEWS Death toll from vitamins and herbs: zero
What Doctors Don't Tell You - Zero deaths from any dietary
supplement—including calcium, magnesium, chromium, zinc, colloidal
silver, selenium, iron or a multi-vitamin—were recorded by the US
National Poison Data System in 2014, the latest data that is available.
There were also no deaths from any amino acid or herbal supplement,
including blue cohosh, Echinacea, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, kava kava, St
John’s wort and valerian, yohimbe, and any Asian or Ayurvedic medicines.
The data system also recorded no deaths from glucosamine or chondroitin,
or from any homeopathic remedy. Prescription medicine isn’t quite so
safe, however. Around 150,000 Americans die each year from an adverse
reaction to a drug properly prescribed and taken, and a further 350,000
die from a drug incorrectly administered, either because of error or
from a deliberate overdose.
Monday - June
13, 2016 - Today in History:
1777 - The Marquis de Lafayette arrived in the
American colonies to help with their rebellion
against the British.
1866 - The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
was passed by the U.S. Congress. It was ratified on
July 9, 1868. The amendment was designed to grant
citizenship to and protect the civil liberties of
recently freed slaves. It did this by prohibiting
states from denying or abridging the privileges or
immunities of citizens of the United States,
depriving any person of his life, liberty, or
property without due process of law, or denying to
any person within their jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.
1888 - The U.S. Congress created the Department of
Labor.
1898 - The Canadian Yukon Territory was organized.
1927 - For the first time, an American Flag was
displayed from the right hand of the Statue of
Liberty.
1940 - Paris was evacuated before the German advance
on the city.
1943 - German spies landed on Long Island, New York.
They were soon captured.
1949 - Bao Dai entered Saigon to rule Vietnam. He
had been installed by the French.
1951 - U.N. troops seized Pyongyang, North Korea.
1966 - The landmark "Miranda v. Arizona" decision
was issued by the U.S. Supreme Court. It ruled that
criminal suspects had to be informed of their rights
before being questioned by police.
1967 - Solicitor General Thurgood Marshall was
nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to become
the first black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
1971 - The New York Times began publishing the
"Pentagon Papers". The articles were a secret study
of America's involvement in Vietnam.
1979 - Sioux Indians were awarded $105 million in
compensation for the U.S. seizure in 1877 of their
Black Hills in South Dakota.
1989 - U.S. President George H.W. Bush exercised his
first Presidential veto on a bill dealing with
minimum wage.
1994 - A jury in Anchorage, Alaska, found Exxon
Corp. and Captain Joseph Hazelwood to be reckless in
the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
1995 - France announced that they would conduct
eight more nuclear tests in the South Pacific.
2004 - Former President George H.W. Bush celebrated
his 80th birthday with a 13,000-foot parachute jump
over his presidential library in College Station,
Texas.
Russia Is Developing Gliders That "Guarantee Penetration" Of Any
Missile Defense System
Zero Hedge - While Russia has already indicated that the
deployment of of Iskander missile systems would be one certain
response to neutralize the the anti-ballistic missile defense
system [European missile defense system (Aegis) by the United
States], Russia has wasted no time in developing future
responses. Russia's new Yu-74 ultra-maneuverable hypersonic
glide vehicles may be the next response that will be
unveiled.... those weapons would have a speed between 3,840 mph
(Mach 5), and 7,680 mph (Mach 10).... reports say that the
gliders are developed to be loaded onto onto Russia's RS-28
Sarmat, the state of the art heavy liquid propelled ICBM which
is currently being developed for the Russian Army.... Designed
to carry up to 24 nuclear-loaded Yu-74 gliders, each Sarmat
ballistic missile will be able to hit any target located within
a 6.2 thousand mile radius in one hour. Each glider can be
equipped with a nuclear warhead, electronic warfare (EW)
applications (disruption of communication systems), or false
target simulators. "These features guarantee penetration of any
existing and prospective missile defense system of a potential
adversary. By adopting such systems, Russia's Strategic Missile
Forces will significantly increase their efficiency" said one
analyst.
Poll reveals a massive 10-point swing towards Brexit
The Independent - The campaign to take Britain out of the EU has
opened up a remarkable 10-point lead over the Remain camp,
according to an exclusive poll for The Independent. The survey
of 2,000 people by ORB found that 55 per cent believe the UK
should leave the EU (up four points since our last poll in
April), while 45 per cent want it to remain (down four points).
These figures are weighted to take account of people’s
likelihood to vote. It is by far the biggest lead the Leave camp
has enjoyed since ORB began polling the EU issue for The
Independent a year ago, when it was Remain who enjoyed a
10-point lead. Now the tables have turned.... Support for EU
membership is highest in Scotland, with 60 per cent backing
Remain. But a majority of people in every other region of Great
Britain favour withdrawal when turnout is taken into account. In
London, seen as a strong area for the Remain campaign, only 44
per cent back staying in the EU and 56 per cent favour voting to
leave. This is due to the turnout factor. Only 66 per cent of
people in London say they will definitely vote, the lowest of
any region.
Police Prepare Water Cannons For Anti-Bilderberg Protesters
Paul Joseph Watson - Water cannons are being prepared by Dresden
police in case anti-Bilderberg protests get out of control
during demonstrations planned for tomorrow near the site where
the secretive group is currently meeting. Infowars reporters
were able to get footage of the vehicles, along with another
militarized ‘scoop’ tank, which were situated in a parking lot
about half a mile way from the Kempinski hotel. Within minutes
of the cameras rolling, the reporters were told to leave by a
security guard. The water cannons are certain to prompt
accusations of overkill given that there have only been a
handful of protesters who have showed up so far to protest
against Bilderberg, including a British couple who were ordered
by police to not display cardboard signs. The pair were later
reportedly arrested for possessing a tent and a loaf of bread,
which police incredulously claimed could be used as a weapon.
US fugitives say Cuba has reassured them they are safe
Washington Times - Charles Hill, a black militant wanted in the
1971 slaying of a New Mexico state policeman, told The
Associated Press that Cuban government contacts had recently
reassured him he was at no risk of extradition. Nehanda Abiodun,
another black militant wanted in a 1981 armored car robbery that
left two police offers and a security guard dead, told the AP
she had recently received a similar promise. Cuba is home to
dozens of people wanted in the United States on charges ranging
from Medicare fraud to killings committed in the name of black
and Puerto Rican revolution movements in the 1970s and ‘80s.
Cuba has asked the United States to return a smaller number of
people, including Luis Posada Carriles, the alleged mastermind
of a series of terror attacks against Cuba, including the 1976
bombing of a Cuban airliner that killed all 73 people on board.
Cuba’s head of U.S. affairs told the AP shortly after the
declaration of detente that Cuba was entitled to grant asylum to
U.S. fugitives, a sign that people the country once saw as
fellow revolutionary fighters will remain safe. The most
prominent is Assata Shakur, who is on the FBI’s list of
most-wanted terrorists. She broke out of a prison where she was
serving a conviction for murdering a New Jersey state trooper.
She was regularly spotted in Havana after fleeing to Cuba but
has not been seen here in public in recent years.
'We want food!' Looting and riots rock Venezuela daily
Reuters - Food riots and violent looting have become a daily
occurrence across scarcity-struck Venezuela and a major problem
for the struggling leftist government of President Nicolas
Maduro. Despite hours in lines, Venezuelans increasingly find
that coveted supplies of subsidized flour and rice run out
before they can buy them. Many are skipping meals, getting by on
mangoes stripped from trees - or taking matters into their own
hands.... More than 10 lootings occur every day now, according
to the Venezuelan Observatory of Violence, and are increasing in
the usually more insulated capital. More than a quarter of the
641 protests last month were for food, according to a tally by
the Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict, a figure that has
risen every month this year. Venezuela's angry streets are
arguably a bigger threat for Maduro than the political
opposition, which is pushing to remove him via a recall
referendum this year. One recent food protest came within blocks
of the Miraflores presidential palace.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Gunman in Orlando pledged allegiance to ISIS; at least 50 killed
in shooting rampage at gay club
The Washington Post - The gunman who opened fire inside a
crowded nightclub here early Sunday morning, launching a rampage
that killed 50 people and injured 53 others in the deadliest
shooting spree in the country’s history, had pledged allegiance
to the Islamic State, according to U.S. law enforcement
officials.... After the first round of gunshots, police said the
shooter held hostages for about three hours until officers
stormed inside to rescue people and killed him in a shootout,
though many details remained unclear about the standoff and the
final confrontation.... The gunman, identified as 29-year-old
Omar Mateen, made a 911 call on Sunday identifying himself and
declared allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State,
according to U.S. law enforcement officials who asked not to be
identified to discuss the ongoing investigation. Mateen, whose
family is from Afghanistan, also cited the 2013 bombing of the
Boston Marathon during that call. Officials said the call was
made during the attack.... Ron Hopper of the FBI said that
Mateen had twice been investigated by the bureau and that in
both cases, he was interviewed before the probes were concluded.
In 2013, Hopper said agents investigated Mateen after he made
“inflammatory comments to coworkers alleging possible ties to
terrorists.”.... Mateen was investigated again in 2014 by the
FBI. This time, they looked into potential ties connecting
Mateen to Moner Mohammad Abusalha, the first American to carry
out a suicide attack in Syria. Like Mateen, Abusalha lived in
Fort Pierce, Fla. “We determined that contact was minimal and
did not constitute a substantive relationship or a threat at
that time,” Hopper said.
Grandson of Muslim Brotherhood Terror Suspect Elevated in Obama
Administration
Dennis Michael Lynch - The Obama Administration has chosen the
grandson of a Muslim Brotherhood terror suspect as its new
liaison to the Muslim-American community. The new official also
led the youth section of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA),
an identified Muslim Brotherhood entity that was labeled an
unindicted co-conspirator in a Hamas-financing trial. The
official, Zaki Barzinji, previously served as the deputy
director of intergovernmental affairs for Virginia Governor
Terry McAuliffe (more on that further down in this article), who
is now under investigation for possible political corruption.
Before that, Barzinji was the president of the Muslim Youth of
North America, which describes itself as the youth wing of ISNA.
ISNA was labeled an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest
terrorism-financing trial in U.S. history, with the Justice
Department specifically listing it as an entity of the Muslim
Brotherhood. The Brotherhood’s own documents list ISNA at the
top of its list of “our organizations and the organizations of
our friends.” ISNA’s links to the Brotherhood and Hamas are laid
out in bipartisan legislation titled the Muslim Brotherhood
Terrorist Designation Act. The bill now has over 75 supporters
in the House and Senate.
Obama Administration Surge Agenda Threatening U.S. With 100
Syrian Refugees Per Day
Breitbart - Over 100 Syrian refugees have been admitted every
day in June according to the federal government’s own database
from the Refugee Processing Center. More than 1,000 were
admitted in May. The rate of those admitted has sky-rocketed
when compared to the 3,755 accepted in fiscal year 2016. The
Conservative Review reported these numbers, and that
approximately 100-250 were admitted during the first six months
of fiscal year 2016. It noted that the Associated Press reported
in April that the federal government set up a “resettlement
surge center” in Amman, Jordan in February. The center is now
interviewing approximately 600 people a day. The “vetting”
process, already questioned by leaders in the country, has been
fast-tracked from 18-24 months to just three months. The
“refugee mill” can now go through thousands of applications
every month…. Senator Jeff Sessions for one, has chastised U.S.
representatives for their response to President Obama’s refugee
plan. As reported by Breitbart News, admitting 10,000 refugees
into the United States “presents a net lifetime cost to
taxpayers of $6.5 billion, meaning that under the current plan
to admit 85,000 refugees this fiscal year, taxpayers will be on
the hook for $55 billion,” he said.
US Military Wants Arms Makers to Produce Kalashnikovs
Sputnik News - Churning out legendary Russian-designed AK-47
assault rifles may soon be an option for American gun
manufacturers.... SOCOM [US Special Operations Command] posted
orders for non-standard weapons and ammunition on a federal
contracting site early last month.... The Washington Post quoted
SOCOM spokesman Matt Allen as saying that in the long run, the
US-made AK-47s may help taxpayers save money. "A US-based source
would be a good use of taxpayer funds, while also delivering the
weapons our partners not only need to fight extremists, but also
the ones they know how to use, know how to fix and have the
supplies in their regions to maintain," he said. The Washington
Post in turn added that although making the AK-47-like weapons
in the US "would allow the government to enforce greater control
over their manufacture and distribution, it still might be
cheaper to buy them elsewhere." Meanwhile, Russian military
expert Nikolay Kireyev argued that after the creation of the
AK-47 clone, Americans will most likely want to bring down
prices for Kalashnikovs on the world market and start supplying
its copies to other countries on their own, according to the
website news-front.info.... In July 2014, Washington prohibited
imports of Kalashnikov products to the US, citing Russia's
alleged interference in the Ukrainian internal conflict. In
September of that year, the company faced a limited access to
the EU financial markets.
Citigroup trademarks “THANKYOU” and sues AT&T for thanking
clients
Ars Technica - For many years, Citigroup has used trademarks
consisting of and/or containing the term THANKYOU, including
THANKYOU, CITI THANKYOU, CITIBUSINESS THANKYOU. THANKYOU FROM
CITI, and THANKYOU YOUR WAY, in connection with a variety of
customer loyalty, reward, incentive, and redemption programs
(collectively, the “THANKYOU Marks”). In its lawsuit, the
financial institution says AT&T is infringing Citigroup's
intellectual property because of AT&T's brand new marketing
campaign connected to AT&T's co-branded, Citigroup credit card
called "the AT&T Universal Card." AT&T is illegally marketing
the phrases "thanks" and "AT&T THANKS," Citigroup claims. This
"is likely to cause consumer confusion and constitutes trademark
infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair
competition in violation of Citigroup's rights," the suit
says.... Not to be outdone by Citigroup, AT&T in April applied
to trademark "AT&T THANKS." Citigroup wants that trademark to be
rejected because it thinks that proposed trademark is
"confusingly similar to Citigroup's "THANKYOU Marks," according
to its lawsuit.
Donald Trump Renews Muslim Ban, Responds to Orlando Terrorist
Attack
Breitbart - Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump
responded to the terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida on Sunday
and renewed his call to ban Muslims from entering the United
States until a proper vetting system is put into place. “Last
night, our nation was attacked by a radical Islamic terrorist,”
Trump stated in a press release after previously calling for
President Obama to resign for not using the words “radical
Islamic terrorism.” “It was the worst terrorist attack on our
soil since 9/11, and the second of its kind in 6 months. My
deepest sympathy and support goes out to the victims, the
wounded, and their families.”… Trump included in his press
release that Omar Mateen, the terrorist, is a son of an Afghan
immigrant “who openly published his support for the Afghanistani
Taliban and even tried to run for President of Afghanistan.
According to Pew, 99% of people in Afghanistan support
oppressive Sharia Law.” Trump’s press release continued: We
admit more than 100,000 lifetime migrants from the Middle East
each year. Since 9/11, hundreds of migrants and their children
have been implicated in terrorism in the United States.
* Related:
Afghanistan Migration Surging into America; 99% Support Sharia
Law
Cleveland to Ban Trump Supporters Outside RNC
Kit Daniels - Democratic city officials are giving pro-Trump
groups only 24 hours to complete applications for ‘Free Speech
permits’ which severely restrict the First Amendment rights of
applicants. “There is only 18 hours of permit time under these
regulations, parade time, over the three or four days of the
convention,” ACLU General Counsel Susan Becker said. “We just
found out about that recently.” “So we are hoping we can really
negotiate these points but it is really up to the city to come
back with more reasonable time, place and manner of regulations
that we can live with.” Insiders have described both the City of
Cleveland and Cuyahoga Co. as Democratic machines in Hillary
Clinton’s pocket, and if they’re able to suppress Trump
supporters, anti-Trump protestors will dominate the city – and
international media coverage. And to further fuel violence, the
city is forcing groups who support and oppose Trump to share a
single parade route, demonstration areas and a “speaker’s
platform” that individuals can “reserve” for 30-minute
increments, all of which will trigger chaos given the anti-Trump
protestors in California who chased down and physically attacked
Trump voters.
DNC to Build a Wall for Security During National Convention in
Philadelphia
Breitbart - The Secret Service special agent in charge of
security during the Democratic National Convention in
Philadelphia next month said there will be a security perimeter
around the Wells Fargo Complex that will extend higher than five
feet…. This year’s Democratic National Convention will take
place July 25-28 in Philadelphia, marking the second time in
less than a year that the City of Brotherly Love has hosted a
high profile event necessitating a National Special Security
Event (NSSE) designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security…. However, disenchanted Bernie Sanders supporters have
spent months publicly planning events with the expressed purpose
of clashing with law enforcement and staging a violent
disruption at the Democratic National Convention. As Breitbart
News has reported, more the 1,500 people have accepted
invitations to the “9.9 million person march” to “occupy the
convention, it would mean a shutdown of the city for 2 days and
the most massive protest since the revolutionary war.”
Video: Judge Jeanine: ‘The Fix Is In’ With Hillary’s Email
Scandal
Breitbart - On this week’s broadcast of “Justice” with Judge
Jeanine on Fox News Channel, host Judge Jeanine Pirro delivered
a rant on Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama, who
recently endorsed Clinton for president, saying that “the fix is
in” regarding Clinton’s email scandal. “The president of the
United States is complicit. He was aware of her private email
server and actually communicated with her on it,” Pirro said.
“Hillary threatens the president. According to reports, there
were 18 emails sent by Hillary from her unsecure server to the
president of the United States, and the president replied to at
least two of them,” She continued. “Translation — ‘Barack, you
knew the one way that I communicated. And if I’m indicted,
you’ll be my first witness because you knew in real time as
secretary of state that I was communicating on a private server.
You knew, as did everyone. I dare you, Barack.’ Now, if any of
you are still skeptics, try this on. She was not emailing the
president about her yoga classes or her wedding dress. The sad
news is, the fix is in, folks, and I just told you why.”
Warren Declares Herself Ready To Be Hillary’s Running Mate
Breitbart - The Massachusetts senator – popular among the
progressive wing of the Democratic party – made the declaration
shortly after endorsing Clinton, calling her “a fighter with
guts” who would keep Donald Trump out the White House. In an
interview on MSNBC, Warren was asked by Rachel Maddow: “If you
were asked to be Secretary Clinton’s running mate, do you
believe you could do it?” Her response was concise: “Yes, I
do.”… Warren’s endorsement came within hours of President Barack
Obama formally giving his endorsement to Clinton’s candidacy.
“I’m with her,” Obama said, in a video recorded on Tuesday. “I
don’t think there has ever been someone so qualified to hold
this office.” Vice-President Joe Biden also appeared to give his
endorsement on Thursday, referring in a speech to “… whoever the
next president is – and God willing it will be Hillary Clinton”.
Gold Company To Withhold Sales: “Storing It And Holding For The
Long-term… It Makes More Sense At These Prices”
Mac Slavo - MX Gold Corp CEO Akash Patel and CFO Kenneth
Phillippe say that they are positioning their company to
stockpile between 20% to 30% of their physical gold production
in coming months, noting that prices are nowhere near where they
should be at current supply and demand levels. In an interview
with SGT Report, Phillipe appears to be taking the stance of
many precious metals investors, which is to stockpile the
physical asset in anticipation of any number of potentially
cataclysmic economic and monetary events like the hyperinflation
we are witnessing in Venezuela…. MX Gold is the first mining
company to announce such a revolutionary strategy and it
completely makes sense considering that some of the world’s
largest investors are gobbling up everything they can get their
hands on.
A Sign of Trouble? What is Behind Soros’s Jump Into Gold
Sputnik News - According to Bloomberg, Soros bought bullish
options contracts on 1.05 million shares in the SPDR Gold Trust,
which tracks the price of bullion. What’s more, the agency says,
the fund took a stake in the world’s biggest producer of the
metal, Barrick Gold Corp., worth $264 million at the end of
March, the filing showed.... Among the explanations offered by
the billionaire to the WSJ, are the gloomy forecasts for the
economic and political issues in China and Europe. “China
continues to suffer from capital flight and has been depleting
its foreign currency reserves while other Asian countries have
been accumulating foreign currency,” Soros said in an e-mail to
the newspaper.... Soros also argues that “there remains a good
chance the European Union will collapse under the weight of the
migration crisis, continuing challenges in Greece and a
potential exit by the United Kingdom from the EU.” And when such
men are starting to worry about their investments and wealth,
one could only wonder, what could possibly be going on in the
markets?
Report Accuses Google Of Skewing Searches To Favor Hillary
Clinton
Western Journalism - According to the study conducted by
SourceFed editor Spencer Reed, when you type “Hillary Clinton
cri” into Google, the site’s auto-complete function lists three
suggested searches: “Hillary Clinton crime reform,” “Hillary
Clinton crisis” and “Hillary Clinton crime bill 1994.” However,
when the same search combination is typed into the sites of
Google’s competitors, Bing and Yahoo, the results are starkly
different, including “Hillary Clinton criminal charges,”
“Hillary Clinton crimes” and “Hillary Clinton criminal.”....
SourceFed proceeded to experiment with another search
combination with Google versus other search engine sites. This
time the SourceFed techs wanted to see if the highly discussed
possible indictment of Clinton by the FBI would pop up on Google
as it did other search engines. The search combination that they
used was “Hillary Clinton ind.” On both Bing and Yahoo, a
plethora of “indictment”-related suggestions pop up. However, on
Google, the top suggestions are: “Hillary Clinton Indiana,”
“Hillary Clinton India” and “Hillary Clinton independent
voters,” without one suggestion for “indictment.”
New Research Discovers That Depression Is An Allergic Reaction
To Inflammation
FEELguide - New research is revealing that many cases of
depression are caused by an allergic reaction to inflammation.
Tim de Chant of NOVA writes: “Inflammation is our immune
system’s natural response to injuries, infections, or foreign
compounds. When triggered, the body pumps various cells and
proteins to the site through the blood stream, including
cytokines, a class of proteins that facilitate intercellular
communication. It also happens that people suffering from
depression are loaded with cytokines.” Inflammation is caused by
obesity, high sugar diets, high quantities of trans fats,
unhealthy diets in general, and other causes. By treating the
inflammatory symptoms of depression — rather than the
neurological ones — researchers and doctors are opening up an
exciting new dimension in the fight against what has become a
global epidemic. Caroline Williams of The Guardian writes: “The
good news is that the few clinical trials done so far have found
that adding anti-inflammatory medicines to antidepressants not
only improves symptoms, it also increases the proportion of
people who respond to treatment, although more trials will be
needed to confirm this. There is also some evidence that omega 3
and curcumin, an extract of the spice turmeric, might have
similar effects.
Dental fillings with mercury can cause over 30 chronic health
conditions
(NaturalHealth365) Some of the most common chronic diseases and
conditions facing the U.S. population today involve autoimmune
problems and immune system failures. Diabetes, cancer, autism
and Alzheimer’s disease continue to affect the population in
record numbers. All have been associated with use of mercury
fillings. Amalgam fillings have also been linked to such
conditions as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s
disease, Parkinson’s disease and muscle tremors, fibromyalgia
and muscle or joint pain, lupus and Crohn’s disease. Symptoms of
many of these diseases are easily mistaken for other conditions.
In addition, conventional medical treatment focuses almost
exclusively on treating symptoms, rather than looking at the
root cause, which could be amalgam fillings. Mercury fillings
have also been linked to scleroderma, endometriosis and chronic
fatigue syndrome, among other autoimmune disorders. In addition,
the use of amalgam fillings has been linked to a higher
prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections, multiple chemical
sensitivities, sinus problems and an overall greater
susceptibility to infections.
19 Prebiotic Foods That Should Be a Part of a Healthy Diet
EcoWatch - Prebiotics are types of dietary fiber that feed the
friendly bacteria in your gut. This helps the gut bacteria
produce nutrients for your colon cells and leads to a healthier
digestive system. Some of these nutrients include short-chain
fatty acids like butyrate, acetate and propionate . Here are 19
healthy prebiotic foods: 1. Chicory Root - The inulin in chicory
root nourishes the gut bacteria, improves digestion and helps
relieve constipation. It can also help increase bile production,
which improves fat digestion…. 2. Dandelion Greens - Dandelion
greens are a great fiber-rich substitute for greens in your
salad. They increase the friendly bacteria in your gut, reduce
constipation and boost your immune system…. 3. Jerusalem
Artichoke - Jerusalem artichoke can be eaten cooked or raw. It
helps boost your immune system and prevent metabolic disease….
E-Cigarette Lawsuit
schmidtlaw.com - E-cigarettes, also known as “vapes,” are a
booming industry. Advocates say they are safer than traditional
cigarettes and help people quit smoking. However, researchers at
Harvard warn that most e-juices contain toxic flavor chemicals
linked to lung diseases like “Popcorn Lung.” The Schmidt Firm,
PLLC is currently accepting e-cigarette induced injury cases in
all 50 states.
Inside E-Cigarette Liquids and Vapor
The liquid inside an e-cigarette, often referred to as
‘e-liquid’ or ‘smoke juice,’ is the key to delivering nicotine
to users (if they so desire). Once heated, it creates a
vaporized mist that’s inhaled just like real cigarette smoke.
Before we get to the vapor, let’s discuss the main ingredients
used in virtually all e-liquid: Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable
Glycerin (VG), Nicotine, Water [and] Added Flavoring
Sunburn Treatment: A DIY Soothing Sunburn Lotion
DIY Natural - Once I found a good quality aloe product to use, I
wanted to choose oils that would nourish and repair my skin
without irritating it more. I went with red palm oil, coconut
oil, and shea butter…. Sunburn treatment recipe ingredients… 1
ounce coconut oil, 2 ounces shea butter, 2 ounces aloe vera gel,
20 drops helichrysum essential oil [and]10 drops lavender
essential oil.
How Walnuts Alter Your Gut Microbiome For The Best
Natural Blaze - Eating walnuts may change gut bacteria in a way
that suppresses colon cancer, researchers led by UConn Health
report in the journal Cancer Prevention Research…. A team of
researchers from UConn Health and The Jackson Laboratory for
Genomic Medicine found that mice that ate 7-10.5 percent of
their total calories as walnuts developed fewer colon cancers.
The effect was most pronounced in male mice, which had 2.3 times
fewer tumors when fed walnuts as part of a diet similar to the
typical American’s. That’s equivalent to a human eating about an
ounce of walnuts a day…. This study shows that walnuts may also
act as a probiotic to make the colon healthy, which in turn
offers protection against colon tumors.”… Walnuts are packed
with compounds known to be important nutritionally. They have
the most polyunsaturated fatty acids of all the commonly eaten
tree nuts, as well as the highest ratio of omega-3 to omega-6
fatty acids, and high levels of a form of Vitamin E with
anti-cancer properties.
Animals Now Listed As “Sentient Beings” Rather Than Property In Quebec
Natural Blaze - According to CBC News, Agriculture Minister Pierre
Paradis was responsible for proposing the bill. He – along with many
other animal rights activists – is inspired to quell the injustices
being done against all kinds of species around the world. Those who
abuse animals and their needs may be fined unto $250,000. And, up to 18
months in prison is a possibility for repeat offenders. Paradis told the
press that Quebec’s new legislation would put it in line with the other
provinces in Canada, such as British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. He
also said he wants to see animals “treated with dignity as much as
possible” it doesn’t matter what animal.” It is important to note that
the legislation applies to ALL domesticated and farm animals and certain
wild animals. That’s right, even abusing a goldfish will warrant a
reprimand. Inspectors now have increased power to demand to see if an
animal is being cared for properly as long as they invoke a “reasonable
cause.” In order to enter a home and seize animals, however, they must
provide a warrant.
Friday - June
10, 2016 - Today in History:
1776 - The Continental Congress appointed a committee to write a
Declaration of Independence.
1801 - The North African State of Tripoli declared war on the U.S. The
dispute was over merchant vessels being able to travel safely through
the Mediterranean.
1854 - The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, held its first
graduation.
1898 - U.S. Marines landed in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.
1909 - The SOS distress signal was used for the first time. The Cunard
liner SS Slavonia used the signal when it wrecked off the Azores.
1924 - The Republican National Convention was broadcast by NBC radio. It
was the first political convention to be on radio.
1933 - Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were in a car accident on a rural
road in north Texas. The third-degree burns suffered by Parker resulted
in a pronounced limp for the rest of her life.
1940 - Italy declared war on France and Britain. In addition, Canada
declared war on Italy.
1943 - The Allies began bombing Germany around the clock.
1970 - A fifteen-man group of special forces troops began training for
Operation Kingpin. The operation was a POW rescue mission in North
Vietnam.
1971 - The U.S. ended a 21-year trade embargo of China.
1984 - The U.S. Army successfully tested an antiballistic missile.
1984 - The United States and the Vatican established full diplomatic
relations for the first time in 117 years.
1985 - The Israeli army pulled out of Lebanon after 1,099 days of
occupation.
1990 - Bulgaria's former Communist Party won the country's first free
elections in more than four decades.
1994 - U.S. President Clinton intensified sanctions against Haiti's
military leaders. U.S. commercial air travel was suspended along with
most financial transactions between Haiti and the U.S.
1998 - The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that poor children in Milwaukee
could attend religious schools at taxpayer expense.
1999 - NATO suspended air strikes in Yugoslavia after Slobodan Milosevic
agreed to withdraw his forces from Kosovo.
US Official: Russia Could Overrun Reinforced NATO Forces
Within 60 Hours
Sputnik News - The ongoing military buildup along Russia’s
borders has been criticized as an unnecessary provocation that
threatens to destabilize the region. "There has never been such
an amassing of hostile military force on Russia’s Western
frontiers since June 1941 when Hitler invaded the Soviet Union
and that’s the way the Russians see it," Professor Stephen F.
Cohen said in a recent interview with The John Batchelor Show.
But despite this strong military presence, the US Deputy
assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia,
Michael Carpenter, suggests that it’s still not enough. During a
Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing earlier this week,
Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) asked Carpenter about a report from
the RAND Corporation think tank declaring concerns that Russian
forces could overtake NATO in just 60 hours. "By the end of
2017, when we implement all of the ERI [European Reassurance
Initiative] funding that is coming online, that we will be much
better poised to address the challenges and much better poised
to deter Russian aggression in that region than we are now," he
said.
New Tensions Erupt In The East China Sea, This Time With A
Russian Twist
Zero Hedge - While China regularly sends nonmilitary patrol
vessels to the area, this was the first time a Chinese warship
was spotted. Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki
summoned the Chinese ambassador in Tokyo around 2 a.m. to
express serious concern over the matter - "China's actions
unilaterally escalate tensions in the area, and we are seriously
concerned." The warship, a frigate, was spotted less than 24
nautical miles from the uninhabited island chain. In an
interesting twist, Japan said two Russian vessels were also
spotted in the islands contiguous zone around the same time.
US Encouraged by Reports Daesh is Losing Ground in Libya -
Pentagon
Sputnik News - Earlier on Thursday, Libyan media reported that
an Daesh leader, Hamid Malouqa Al-Zliteni, was killed in the
coastal city of Sirte in a clash between the group and Libyan
forces…. On Saturday, the Ghardabiya airbase, just 12 miles
south of Sirte, was retaken by the Libyan militia. Libya has
been in a political and security vacuum since 2011 when
Western-backed Islamic extremists ousted the country’s long-time
leader Muammar Gaddafi. Years of instability created a political
and security vacuum in the country that was filled by Islamist
militants. Daesh forces gained a foothold on the Libyan coast by
capturing the cities of Sirte and Derna.
US airstrikes in Afghanistan to expand as Taliban attacks grow —
report
RT - Facing a rebounding Taliban insurgency, the US will expand
airstrikes in Afghanistan, according to a “senior US defense
official,” the Associated Press reported. The new plan may
affect the timeline of withdrawal for the 9,800 US troops
stationed there. The anonymous US official was not permitted to
speak openly on the matter of airstrikes, according to AP, but
the US Department of Defense did address US troop levels in
Afghanistan…. “The bottom line is too much has been wasted in
Afghanistan. Too much money was spent in too small a country
with too little oversight,” the Special Inspector General for
Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, John Sopko, told Reuters
earlier Thursday. “And if the security situation continues to
deteriorate, even areas where money was spent wisely and gains
were made, could be jeopardized,” Sopko added. Unless the new
plan changes the Obama administration’s troop withdrawal
schedule, over 40 percent of the 9,800 US troops in Afghanistan
before a new president is sworn in next January.
After deadly Tel Aviv attack, Israel suspends Palestinian
permits
Reuters - The Israeli military on Thursday revoked permits for
83,000 Palestinians to visit Israel and said it would send
hundreds more troops to the occupied West Bank after a
Palestinian gun attack that killed four Israelis in Tel Aviv.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault
by two gunmen on Wednesday in a trendy shopping and dining
market near Israel's Defence Ministry, but Hamas and other
Palestinian militant groups were quick to praise it. The
assailants came from near Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West
Bank. They dressed in suits and ties and posed as customers at a
restaurant, ordering a drink and a chocolate brownie before
pulling out automatic weapons and opening fire, sending diners
fleeing in panic.
Israeli occupation to blame for fatal Palestinian attack on cafe
- Tel Aviv mayor
RT - The mayor of Tel Aviv has blamed Israel's occupation of the
Palestinian territories for an attack on a cafe that left four
Israelis dead. The country's deputy defense minister labeled the
remarks “bizarre” and “delusional.” "We might be the only
country in the world where another nation is under occupation
without civil rights,” Mayor Ron Huldai told Israeli Army Radio,
referring to the Wednesday attack by two Palestinian gunmen.
“You can’t hold people in a situation of occupation and hope
they’ll reach the conclusion everything is alright,” he added.
The mayor went on to state that “no one has the courage” to find
peace with the Palestinians, and called for attempts to strike
an agreement. There has been an occupation for 49 years, which I
was part of and I know the reality, and I know leaders need
courage to not just talk...we have to show our neighbours that
we have true intentions to return to a reality of a smaller
Jewish state with a clear Jewish majority,” Huldai said.
However, not all Israeli politicians agree with Huldai's
statements. In fact, his remarks were labeled “bizarre” and
“delusional” by Deputy Defense Minister Eli Ben-Dahan.
Scientists lobby for partial lifting of GMO production ban in
Russia – paper
RT - Russian Academy of Sciences has reportedly addressed the
parliament with a request to partially lift the ban on
production of genetically-modified organisms on condition that
the GMO materials would be registered and thoroughly regulated.
Popular daily Izvestia quoted the head of the State Duma
Committee for Science, MP Valery Chereshnev (Fair Russia) as
saying that the lower house has resumed debates over the
government bill that bans almost all GMO production in Russia,
allowing it only for research purposes. Chereshnev also said
that lobbyists were trying to change the bill before it gets the
final parliamentary approval, in particular, the Academy of
Sciences is seeking to partially allow GMO production in Russia.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
FBI found over 300 classified docs on computer
of Petraeus’ mistress
RT - Newly released documents reveal that during the search of
former CIA director David Petraeus’ home, the FBI discovered
more than 300 classified documents on the personal computer of
his biographer and mistress, Paula Broadwell. Documents related
to the home search-related FBI affidavit were unsealed Tuesday
by the US District Court in Eastern Virginia. The search warrant
was requested as part of a sweeping federal investigation into
the relationship between Broadwell and Petraeus, a highly
decorated military commander. The probe uncovered the affair,
revealed their mishandling of classified documents, and led to
Petraeus’ resignation as the head of the CIA. Petraeus pleaded
guilty to a misdemeanor charge of mishandling government
documents and was fined $100,000. The documents were partially
redacted and were sealed for more than three years. What they
showed is that both Broadwell and Petraeus misled investigators
about their extensive exchange of classified material, mostly
involving military and diplomatic operations during Petraeus’s
years as commander of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
FBI Runs ‘Hundreds’ of Sting Operations to Create Homegrown
Terrorists
Sputnik News - The controversial FBI practice looks to
radicalize those who have no previous interest in, or connection
to, terror organizations like Daesh, in order to keep arrest
statistics high. The FBI has announced that they are ramping up
Daesh-recruiting sting operations that legal experts criticize
as entrapment and which national security experts see as US law
enforcement radicalizing their own citizens to send them to
prison. Recent arrests resulted after the FBI shipped fake guns
to people who had no prior ties to Daesh and then arrested them
for plotting terror actions. The agency also made plane tickets
to Syria easily available and then arrested recipients of those
tickets at the airport. Most recently, an FBI agent gave a
panhandler some money and a knife and told him to stab people
"for ISIS." Analysts wonder if rounding up those foolish enough
to engage in Facebook conversations with undercover FBI agents
and then accepting packages from unidentified sources is the
best way to apprehend would-be terrorists. Based on flimsy
statements by FBI informants and the barest minimum of evidence,
the FBI has expanded arrests and are calling for the speedy
detention of terror suspects even when cases lack sufficient
merit to prosecute.
IRS Steals $68,382, Returns It After 3 Years, And Now Wants The
Owners In Jail
Off the Grid News - Larry and David Vocatura could go to federal
prison for depositing cash the wrong way – even though the IRS
seized the money and already gave it back. The owners of a
Connecticut bakery/sandwich shop won a major victory on May 24,
when the IRS returned all of the $68,382.22 it seized from their
bank account in 2013, but shortly after getting their money, the
brothers learned that Peter S. Jongbloed, an assistant US
attorney, was continuing with a criminal probe of their sandwich
shop. The Institute for Justice had filed a federal civil right
lawsuit on the brothers’ behalf. The IRS alleges the Vocaturas
were involved in drugs or prostitution, although it never found
any evidence. Jongbloed already offered the brothers a “plea
deal” with a three- to four-year prison sentence if they turned
over the $68,382.22 and an additional $160,000.
Baltimore cop caused fatal Freddie Gray injury: prosecutor
Reuters - A Baltimore police officer fatally injured black
detainee Freddie Gray by giving him a "rough ride" in a
transport van, a prosecutor said on Thursday in opening
statements of the murder trial of a third officer in Gray's
death. A lawyer for Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., 46, said in
Baltimore City Circuit Court that Gray's death in April 2015 was
accidental and that Gray caused his own injuries…. Goodson is
accused of second-degree depraved heart murder, the most serious
charge against the six officers accused in Gray's death. He also
faces manslaughter and other charges.
No constitutional right to concealed guns: U.S. appeals court
Reuters - Firearm owners have no constitutional right to carry a
concealed gun in public, a divided U.S. appeals court in
California ruled on Thursday, upholding the right of officials
to only grant permits to those facing a specific danger. The
decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a victory for
gun control advocates which sets a legal precedent in western
states, was seen as unlikely to be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme
Court in the near future. The San Francisco-based court, in a
7-4 decision, found California's San Diego and Yolo counties did
not violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which
protects the right to bear arms, when they denied some
applicants a concealed firearm license. "We hold that the Second
Amendment does not protect, in any degree, the carrying of
concealed firearms by members of the general public," Judge
William Fletcher wrote in a 52-page opinion. Sheriffs in the two
California counties had limited their permits to applicants
showing "good cause" to be armed, such as documented threats or
working in a wide range of risky occupations.
White House calls FBI probe into Clinton's classified emails
a 'criminal investigation' – to glee of Republicans – on the
same day Obama endorses her
Daily Mail - Barack Obama's spokesman described the FBI's probe
into Hillary Clinton's classified email scandal as a 'criminal
investigation' on Thursday, less than an hour after the
president endorsed his embattled former secretary of state to
succeed him. Josh Earnest told reporters during a White House
press briefing that Obama was committed to keeping his hands off
the investigation, trusting career investigators and prosecutors
to follow evidence wherever it leads. 'That's what their
responsibility is,' Earnest said. 'And that's why the president,
when discussing this issue in each stage, has reiterated his
commitment to this principle that any criminal investigation
should be conducted independent of any sort of political
interference.'
Clinton Doesn’t Remember Signing NDA About Handling of
Classified Material
Free Beacon - Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton
said Wednesday that she couldn’t remember signing a
non-disclosure agreement as secretary of state that laid out
criminal penalties for mishandling classified information. In an
interview with Fox News host Bret Baier the day after she
declared victory in the Democratic primary race, Clinton
insisted yet again she never sent nor received any material over
her private, unsecured email server that was marked classified.
“Secretary Clinton, you said you sent or received nothing that
was marked classified, but you did sign a non-disclosure
agreement, an NDA, in 2009 that said markings don’t matter,
whether it’s marked or unmarked. You remember signing that?”
Baier asked. “No, I do not, but the fact is nothing that I sent
or received was marked classified and nothing has been
demonstrated to contradict that,” Clinton said. “What you are
seeing acted out is the desire of different parts of the
government to retroactively classify material so that it is not
made public, since I did ask that all my emails be made public,
and this is not an uncommon process.”
Bernie Sanders Meets President Obama and Pledges to Work to
Defeat Donald Trump
NY Times - Senator Bernie Sanders met with President Obama on
Thursday and said afterward that he would do everything within
his power to stop Donald J. Trump from becoming president -- and
would work closely with Hillary Clinton to make that happen.
After the meeting with Mr. Obama, which lasted more than an
hour, Mr. Sanders gave no indication that he was ready to leave
the race just yet, insisting that he would compete in next
week’s primary contest here in Washington. However, he made
clear that party unity was on his mind.
Video: Source: Sanders Rejects Obama Recommendation for Clinton
VP Position
Government Slaves - Bernie Sanders rejected recommendations from
President Barack Obama that he accept a vice president position
with Hillary Clinton during the pair’s meeting Thursday, a
source close to the Sander’s campaign told Infowars.
Elizabeth Warren Ready to Join Hillary Clinton and the Bankers
Kurt Nimmo - Sources told Reuters last night Warren will endorse
Hillary Clinton and has not ruled out serving as her running
mate. Her advisers are in close contact with Clinton’s campaign
team. According to Reuters, if Warren joins the Clinton ticket
she will energize progressives and win over Bernie Sanders
supporters…. It is not clear how Warren will square her decision
with the fact Hillary Clinton is the preferred choice of Wall
Street and the bankers. The betrayal of her progressive base
will be sidelined and ignored by the establishment media as
Warren, Clinton, and the Democrats concentrate on defeating
Republican Donald Trump.
White House: Obama Taped Clinton Endorsement Before Hillary
Claimed Win
Breitbart - White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest confirmed
that Obama filmed the video on Tuesday, before Hillary Clinton’s
historic speech claiming the Democratic nomination and before
the results of the Democratic voters in six states were
reported. The campaign video was filmed at the White House, but
was not filmed at government expense, according to Earnest.
EBT Card Outage? 8 Days Into June And Many Americans Are
Still Waiting For Food Stamp Money
Economic Collapse - Widespread reports continue to pour in from
all over the nation of “glitches” with the food stamp system. It
is eight days into the month and large numbers of people still
have not received their benefits, and in other instances it is
being reported that EBT cards are simply not working correctly….
On downdetector.com there are scores of reports of problems with
the EBT system from people all over the nation… Hopefully this
current EBT outage is just a temporary technical glitch, and
hopefully the government will get it fixed in short order.
* Related Video:
Woman Destroys Store Because They Didn't Acccept Her EBT Card
New Social Network Based on Blockchain Technology Wants to
End Censorship
Activist Post - The AKASHA Project, which aims to be a
decentralized publishing platform akin to Medium or Reddit, is
the result of various forms of technology intersecting to
promote freedom of information and a free-flowing Internet —
traits AKASHA’s founder, Mihai Alisie, believes are central to
the digital age. “We believe that freedom of expression, access
to information, and privacy are fundamental human rights that
should be respected on the Internet as well as in real life,”
explains the AKASHA Project. AKASHA stands for Advanced
Knowledge Architecture for Social Human Advocacy. Moreover, we
are a civilization transitioning to an information-based
society, and as such we feel that the permanent storage of
information for future generations is a critical issue we should
be striving to solve as soon as possible.
Big-Brother Pizza: Domino’s to Track Customers on Way to Stores
Bloomberg - Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd., Australia’s largest
pizza company, will on Monday start using satellites to follow
customers as they approach stores to pick up orders. By tracking
pizza-lovers on the street, Domino’s can wait until the last
moment to start cooking and ensure orders stay fresh, the
company said Thursday. The fast-food surveillance measure comes
a decade after Domino’s started to let customers track their own
orders. The stock has soared more than 17-fold in 10 years,
giving Domino’s a market value of A$6 billion ($4.48 billion).
The company is also testing delivery robots and high-speed
ovens.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
7 Plants that Repel Mosquitoes Naturally
Natural Society - Mosquitoes can be quite the bother this time
of year, especially for those of us who like to spend some time
outside and in the garden. The good news is, it’s possible to
deter the insects in a way that actually improves your garden –
by incorporating plants that repel insects. I’ll outline 7
plants that repel mosquitoes naturally… 1. Citronella- You can
buy citronella candles, oil, and even bracelets and necklaces
doused in citronella oil. But citronella plants make for an
attractive addition to the garden, and they smell just as good
as any product you could buy in the store. 2. Lemon Balm - A
member of the mint family, lemon balm is a great choice for new
gardeners. It’s a hardy plant that does well in the shade, and
can even withstand drought. It can take over gardens, though, so
you might do well to grow it in a container. As an added bonus,
lemon balm can be used to make herbal tea. 3. Basil - Plant
basil in containers by your house doors, or indoors wherever you
spend the most time. It not only repels mosquitoes, but also
houseflies. 4. Catnip - Catnip has been shown to be 10 times
more effective than DEET at keeping mosquitoes away.…
Ticks Now Carry This Deadly Virus that is Worse than Lyme
Disease!
David Wolfe - A potentially fatal virus has been found in the
United States, in the Northeast and Great Lakes region. Known as
the Powassan (POW) virus, the disease is transmitted to humans
by infected ticks. Anyone bitten by a tick in an area where this
virus is commonly found can get infected with POW virus. It can
cause severe problems, with symptoms including fever, headache,
vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech
difficulties and seizures. Symptoms can begin to occur within
hours of being bitten by an infected tick. Patients are also
likely to become susceptible to neurological damage due to
inflammation in the brain, which can also lead to meningitis….
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
approximately half of those who have survived the POW virus have
permanent neurological symptoms, such as recurrent headaches,
muscle wasting and memory problems. Ultimately, around 10% of
POW virus causes are fatal. There are no vaccines or medications
to treat or prevent a POW virus infection. While it’s believed
that the Lyme disease bacterium infects a person only if the
tick has been feeding on them for at least 24 hours, the
Powassan virus is believed to need only 15 minutes.
Daily Ginger Reduces Risk of Both Hypertension and Heart Disease
Natural Blaze - Ginger is known to beat drugs in defeating
cancer and many inflammatory processes. The University of
Maryland Medical Center cites several preliminary studies that
suggest ginger may also lower cholesterol and prevent blood from
clotting. Stopping your blood from clotting can help people with
heart disease, where blood vessels become clogged and lead to
heart attack or stroke. Now, data published in Nutrition
indicated that daily ginger consumption was associated with an
8% lower risk of developing hypertension and a 13% lower risk of
coronary heart disease in adults. “The data indicated that
ginger had a potential preventive property against some chronic
diseases, especially hypertension and coronary heart disease as
well as its ability to reduce the probability of illness by
increasing 1g/d ginger intake on the basis of prior diet,” wrote
the researchers.
9 Natural Remedies for Treating Plantar Fasciitis Pain
Natural News Blogs - Plantar fasciitis is related to the painful
condition of the heel, and affects more than 2 million people in
the United States. Plantar fascia is the dense cord on the
bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes. This
tissue can become injured due to overuse or being overweight and
out of shape. It is estimated that 10-16% of people will
experience this painful condition during their lifetime. Here
are several natural remedies for plantar fasciitis… Curcumin, a
component in turmeric, works as a potent painkiller and
anti-inflammatory agent. Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to a
cup of milk. Heat it over a low flame. Add a little honey and
drink it daily before going to bed…. Ginger is a very powerful
anti-inflammatory agent. It has properties that can help relieve
the heel pain and reduce the inflammation and swelling…. Apple
cider vinegar is another effective home remedy for plantar
fasciitis. Its medicinal properties help reduce pain and
inflammation. Add 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider
vinegar and 1 teaspoon of raw honey to a glass of warm water.
Drink it a couple of times daily….
Lose Weight with Coconut Oil
Natural News Blogs - …one study published in the journal,
Lipids, found that women who consumed coconut oil supplements
(compared to those taking soy bean oil supplements) not only had
a reduction in their body mass index (BMI), but lost inches
around their waist. The soy bean oil group did not lose any
circumference around their waist in this particular finding. So,
how exactly does coconut oil help people lose weight? Its unique
properties, which include Medium Chain Fatty Acids (most contain
long-chain fatty acids), are metabolized in a manner that helps
to remove pancreatic stress. This in turn boosts the body’s
metabolic rate, which makes it possible to burn more energy. Of
course energy expenditure is known to be a significant aspect of
losing weight. Those who have had successful weight loss or
weight loss maintenance experiences, as well as many health
experts, have noted that using coconut oil in regular cooking
and eating routines is beneficial.
Thursday - June
9, 2016 - Today in History:
1790 - John Barry copyrighted "Philadelphia Spelling Book." It was the
first American book to be copyrighted.
1790 - Civil war broke out in Martinique.
1861 - Mary Ann "Mother" Bickerdyke began working in Union hospitals.
1940 - Norway surrendered to the Nazis during World War II.
1943 - The withholding tax on payrolls was authorized by the U.S.
Congress.
1945 - Japanese Premier Kantaro Suzuki declared that Japan would fight
to the last rather than accept unconditional surrender.
1959 - The first ballistic missile carrying submarine, the USS George
Washington, was launched.
1978 - Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints struck
down a 148-year-old policy of excluding black men from the Mormon
priesthood.
1985 - Thomas Sutherland, an American educator, was kidnapped in
Lebanon. He was not released until November 1991.
1986 - The Rogers Commission released a report on the Challenger
disaster. The report explained that the spacecraft blew up as a result
of a failure in a solid rocket booster joint.
1999 - NATO and Yugoslavia signed a peace agreement over Kosovo.
2000 - Canada and the United States signed a border security agreement.
The agreement called for the establishment of a border-enforcement team.
2000 - The U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal gift and estate
taxes. The bill called for the taxes to be phased out over 10 years.
2011 - The world's first artificial organ transplant was performed. It
was an artificial windpipe coated with stem cells.
Four Israelis Dead in Tel Aviv Shopping Mall Attack
NBC News - Four Israelis were reported killed and several others were
wounded Wednesday night in a gun attack in an Israeli shopping mall,
police said. Two attackers, whom police described as relatives in their
20s from the Hebron area, were captured. The attack took place at the
Sarona Market, a popular indoor/outdoor culinary market in central Tel
Aviv that draws crowds of shoppers and diners, officials said. The mall
is near national military headquarters. "Two terrorists opened fire at
civilians," Tel Aviv district police commander Moshe Edri said, adding
that one of the detained attackers was being treated for a gunfire
wound. Among the developments: Police said the gunmen were Palestinians
from village of Yatta, near the city of Hebron in the West Bank. Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with his defense minister and
security leaders and then traveled to the scene. He called the attack a
"cold blooded murder by despicable terrorists." Hamas, the Islamic
militant group that rules Gaza, welcomed the attack but did not claim
responsibility for it. The U.S. condemned the "horrific terrorist
attack" and said it is in contact with Israeli authorities.
US-Japan Sign Historic Defense Cooperation Deal to Counter China’s Reach
Sputnik News - One week after US President Obama visited Japan to become
the first US President to come close to apologizing for the horrific
Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings at the end of World War II, Tokyo
has agreed to the Reciprocal Defense Procurement (RDP) pact, a
wide-ranging arms sale agreement between the two allies, long-resisted
by many Japanese government officials. The agreement makes Japan the
first Asian nation to join 23 existing RDP signatories – including
Israel, Egypt, Sweden, and America’s NATO allies – whose defense
products are exempted from ‘Buy America’ laws, tariffs, and
protectionist measures. The agreement also represents a major
achievement for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has called for
Tokyo to be more involved with the US and other countries in global
military affairs, despite the clamoring of the Japanese electorate to
limit ties to America and to force out foreign troops.
Beijing demands end to surveillance after US slams 'unsafe' spy plane
intercept
RT - A US spy plane has been intercepted by a Chinese fighter jet over
the East China Sea during Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to
Beijing. It is the second incident involving US surveillance aircraft
over the Chinese-claimed space in less than a month. A Chinese J-10
fighter plane intercepted a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft
during a “routine mission” over the East China Sea in an “unsafe”
manner, two American defense officials told Reuters on Tuesday. The
officials claimed that Washington was alarmed by the Chinese fighter's
“excessive rate of closure” on the US aircraft – meaning it approached
too fast. According to CNN sources, the Chinese jet did not fly closer
than 100ft to the US spy plane while it was on the mission. Beijing
insisted its fighter jet kept a safe distance and avoided making
dangerous maneuvers, and demanded that Washington stop reconnaissance
flights next to Chinese airspace.
UK media hail Navy's 'intercept' of Russian sub… which was not hiding
RT - Headlines in the British media have hailed a Royal Navy operation
to 'track and intercept' a Russian submarine off the UK coast – but
Moscow says it's surprised it took so much effort to find what was
actually a surfaced sub traveling with a tug boat. “An up-top sub can’t
be missed,” the Russian Defense Ministry noted. The news created a stir
in the UK with some British media giving the impression that the sub was
there on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s personal orders…. Russia’s
Defense Ministry issued a statement Wednesday in a somewhat mocking
tone, confirming the Stary Oskol (Project 636.3) submarine was making
its way from the Northern Fleet in the Arctic to the Black Sea and its
new home base in Sevastopol, on the Crimean peninsula.
Scotland Just Banned Fracking Forever
Activist Post - In one fell swoop, Scotland banned fracking —
permanently — when parliament narrowly voted in favor of cementing the
country’s temporary moratorium on the controversial practice. With the
original intention of conducting full health and environmental impact
assessments before continuing with all unconventional oil and gas
extraction — including fracking — Scotland implemented a temporary halt
to all such procedures in January 2015. Members of the ruling Scottish
National Party abstained from the vote, which passed 32 to 29, though
SNP Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse claimed the government remains
“deeply sceptical” of fracking and none would be allowed to proceed
unless distinct evidence proved the practice ‘causes no harm,’ the
Guardian reported.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Susan Rice Promises Israel ‘Largest Military Aid Package In U.S.
History’
MintPress - U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice promised
Israel on Monday that the new military aid agreement between the
two nations that is currently being negotiated will constitute
“the single largest military assistance package — with any
country — in American history.” Addressing the American Jewish
Committee Global Forum in Washington, Rice said the new
decade-long aid package, which is expected to provide Israel
somewhere between $37.5 billion and $40 billion over the life of
the pact, will “constitute a significant increase in support,”
providing funding to update Israel’s aircraft fleet and
strengthen missile defenses…. At the same time, Rice lashed out
at Israel’s settlement activity, saying that the only road to
“sustainable security for Israel and to dignity and
self-determination for the Palestinians is two states for two
peoples.”
AP: Hillary Clinton Emails ‘Could Have Compromised CIA Names’
Breitbart - The names of CIA personnel could have been
compromised not only by hackers who may have penetrated Hillary
Clinton’s private computer server or the State Department
system, but also by the release itself of tens of thousands of
her emails, security experts say.,,, At least 47 of the emails
contain the notation “B3 CIA PERS/ORG,” which indicates the
material referred to CIA personnel or matters related to the
agency.
Feds spend nearly $20,000 to settle every refugee
Washington Examiner - Federal taxpayers are on the hook for
nearly $20,000 just to settle each refugee and asylum seeker,
who are then immediately eligible for cash welfare, food stamps,
housing and medical aid, according to a new report on the
"refugee industry." The report provided federal budget figures
showing that the government spends $19,884 on each refugee the
U.S. takes in. And that number is set to jump if President Obama
gets his way and brings in an additional 10,000 Syrian refugees
in this year. The report from the Negative Population Growth
Inc. said that the U.S. is currently accepting about 95,000
refugees and asylees. That is in addition to the over 500,000
legal and illegal immigrants coming to the U.S.
Judge Sentences California Man to 12 Years in Terrorism Case
ABC News - A federal judge in Sacramento sentenced a man on
Tuesday to 12 years in prison for attempting to join Islamic
extremists in Syria. U.S. District Court Judge John Mendez said
that terrorism had become a zero-tolerance crime, as he issued
the sentence against 22-year-old Nicholas Teausant, which also
includes 25 years of supervision after his release. Teausant
pleaded guilty in December to one count of attempting to provide
material support or resources to a foreign terrorist
organization...Teausant's lawyers said he had a mental illness
that made him vulnerable to the informant and had no real plans
of joining the group.
Rand Paul Honors Muhammad Ali By Introducing Bill To End
Selective Service
Activist Post - On Monday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul announced that
he will be filing legislation designed to end the requirement
for registration for Selective Service. Senator Paul, a
Republican from Kentucky, said he would introduce a bill titled
“The Muhammad Ali Voluntary Service Act” in honor of the
recently deceased boxer who famously refused to be drafted into
military service for the Vietnam War…. “One thing I liked about
Muhammad Ali is that he would stand on principle even when it
was unpopular,” Paul said. “You know, the criminal justice
system now has a racial justice disparity, selective service had
a racial disparity, because a lot of rich white kids either got
a deferment or went to college or got out of the draft. I’m
opposed to Selective Service.” Muhammad Ali refused to fight in
the Vietnam War, stating that his religious beliefs prevented
him from going to fight in the military. Ali recognized that the
Vietnam War was an unjust battle, that the U.S. government would
not recognize people of color as equals yet expected them to go
fight and die in foreign lands.
* Related:
In 1971, Ali Helped Expose the FBI’s Secret Murder Plots of
Activists and Antiwar Disinformation
Oklahoma Cops Now Using a New Device Allowing them to Steal Cash
From Innocent Citizens Like an ATM
Activist Post - The Electronic Recovery and Access to Data
Machine, known by the acronym ERAD, can scan your bank account
and prepaid cards, giving OHP [Oklahoma Highway Patrol] instant
access to the balance — and the funds — if a trooper believes
the money is tied to a crime. OHP rolled out 16 ERAD devices in
May, and unsurprisingly, has already employed the technology.
“We’re gonna look for different factors in the way that you’re
acting,” Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. John Vincent told local
News 9. “We’re gonna look for if there’s a difference in your
story. If there’s some way that we can prove that you’re
falsifying information to us about your business.”… “If you can
prove that you have a legitimate reason to have that money it
will be given back to you. And we’ve done that in the past,”
Vincent added…. News 9 obtained a copy of the contract between
the state and ERAD Group, Inc., which shows Oklahoma paying
“$5,000 for the software and scanners, then 7.7 percent of all
the cash the highway patrol seizes.” But law enforcement
obstinately claims this isn’t about the money.
Denver Police Destroy House in 19-Hour Military-Style Assault to
Catch Wal-Mart Shoplifter
AllGov - After a Wal-Mart shoplifter fled into stranger's home
to avoid arrest, police in suburban Denver destroyed the house
in a 19-hour attack… Leo Lech and his family sued Greenwood
Village, its Police Chief John Jackson and his entire force,
particularly the SWAT team, on June 3 in Arapahoe County Court.
All the allegations and quotations in the bizarre story come
from the family's 10-page complaint. On June 3, 2015, Jonathan
Seacat shoplifted from a Wal-Mart and fled, pursued by police.
Seacat is not a party to the lawsuit. The Lechs say he ran into
their home at random, to hide. They didn't know him and he
didn't know them. The only one home was a minor boy, D.Z., who
fled. Police then besieged the house for 19 hours. "Defendants
used explosives, chemical agents (tear gas), flash-bang
grenades, and other devices on and around the Lech home in an
attempt to flush out Seacat. At one point during the use of the
flash-bang grenades, a badly thrown grenade bounced back and
fell upon law enforcement, forcing them to scatter. "Sixty-eight
cold chemical munitions and four hot gas munitions were launched
into the Lech home. ... The defendants blasted holes in all
windows and doors of the Lech home. Rubble from the blasts was
strewn about the property. The interior of the Lech home was a
mass of debris and destroyed belongings from the projectiles
launched into the home by the defendants. Chemical munitions or
other projectiles were stuck in the walls. The Lech home was
completely uninhabitable and its condition posed a danger to
anyone entering the home."
* Related:
Crowdfunding started for Greenwood Village home
“totaled” in SWAT standoff
Donald Trump Beats Own Campaign Prediction, Reaching 1,536
Delegates
Breitbart - Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump sailed
past his own campaign's prediction on the final delegate count,
and now heads into next month's Republican National Convention.
After the final five state Republican primaries on Tuesday
night, Trump stands at 1,536 delegates. In April, Trump's
campaign predicted it would reach 1,400 delegates ahead of the
convention to meet the threshold delegate requirement of 1,237
in order to clinch the nomination on the first ballot. Trump
broke the Republican primary record by 1.4 million votes,
according to the conservative blog site, The Gateway Pundit.
'It was just chaos': Broken machines, incomplete voter rolls
leave some wondering whether their ballots will count
LA Times - California voters faced a tough time at the polls
Tuesday, with many voters saying they have encountered broken
machines, polling sites that opened late and incomplete voter
rolls, particularly in Los Angeles County. The result? Instead
of a quick in-and-out vote, many California voters were handed
the dreaded pink provisional ballot -- which takes longer to
fill out, longer for election officials to verify and which
tends to leave voters wondering whether their votes will be
counted.
Former Cruz campaign officials push for delegate coup at GOP
convention
Washington Examiner - Officials from Ted Cruz's defunct
presidential campaign are talking up the possibility of a coup
at next month's Republican convention in Cleveland. Bob Vander
Plaats, a former national co-chair of Ted Cruz's presidential
campaign, told NBC that "everything's got to be on the table"
when it comes to exempting delegates from supporting Donald
Trump at the convention. On Tuesday, Cruz's New Jersey state
director Steve Lonegan called for a "delegate revolt." "I would
love to see a revolt," he told CNN. "It's time for the
Republican Party to get some backbone and stand up against this
guy."
Trump U Is Nothing Compared To Clinton’s Laureate Education
Roger Stone - The Clinton Global Initiative joint venture with
Laureate Education, a shaky for-elated: profit chain of schools,
to create CGI-University is the final step in an incredible
predatory stock deal. Laureate Education deal used high-pressure
boiler room tactics to rack up $750 million of debt on students
while running a $457 Million debt at the same time Bill Clinton
was taking lavish – but hidden – compensation from Laureate
while Hillary’s State Department was lavishing $150 million from
the chain of for-profit schools that has a more than 50%
graduation rate and a high drop-out rate. Forbes Magazine
reported that Laureate “induces students to incur massive
tuition debt to attend a school with no academic reputation and
virtually no standards for admission other than the ability to
pay.” But, it’s worse than that. Laureate is a highly leveraged
failing investment whose principal beneficiaries are Wall Street
fat cats and billionaire friends of William Jefferson Clinton.
Trump to Hold Summit with 900 Religious Leaders
Breitbart - Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump is
scheduled to hold an event with hundreds of religious leaders on
June 21st in New York City. Concerned Women for America CEO and
President Penny Nance is a co-sponsor for the event with Trump,
where close to 900 religious leaders will meet. “We wanted to
bring together hundreds of the nation’s top evangelical and
social conservative leaders so he could make his pitch for their
support,” Nance stated. “There is still a question about whether
or not evangelicals can unify behind his candidacy.” The event
titled, “A Conversation about America’s Future” will feature
both Trump and Dr. Ben Carson. The invitation lists several
groups hosting the event, including United in Purpose, My Faith
Votes, Global Fund Group, FCCI, Charles W. Herbster, Vision
America Action, AFA Action, and Family Research Council.
US crude rises above $51 for first time since July
RT - The American crude benchmark West Texas Intermediate
reached a ten-month high on Wednesday, at over $51 per barrel.
Analysts attribute the price spike to outages in Nigeria, higher
demand in China and a larger-than-expected drop in US crude
stockpiles. The North Sea benchmark Brent was also on the up,
trading above $52 per barrel, the highest level since last
October…. The American Petroleum Institute said late Tuesday
that US crude inventories decreased by 3.6 million barrels last
week, more than analysts had estimated. Since reaching 12-year
lows of $27 per barrel in January, oil prices have nearly
doubled. However they are still well below the 2014 peak of over
$100 per barrel.
Goldman Sachs: Obamacare forcing hundreds of thousands into
part-time work
Washington Examiner - In a research note sent out Wednesday,
bank economist Alec Phillips concluded that “the evidence
suggests that the [Affordable Care Act] has at least modestly
elevated involuntary part-time employment.” He wrote that a “few
hundred thousand” workers may have had their hours cut or been
forced to take part-time jobs because of the law. Goldman Sachs’
analysis is the latest conduct on the contentious topic of the
healthcare law and part-time work, and its findings largely back
up what other studies have revealed, Phillips wrote. The bank
weighed in on the question after involuntary part-time work rose
sharply in recent months. Obamacare is thought to incentivize
part-time work through several means. One is that employers with
more than 50 full-time workers face penalties if they do not
provide health insurance coverage, giving them a reason to cut
hours or avoid hiring new workers if they are near the 50
employee level.
Retail Armageddon Hits U.S. Economy With 930 Stores Closing This
Year
Daniel B. Kline - With some retailers, including Sports
Authority (450 stores) and Sports Chalet, closing all of their
stores, and others, like Aeropostale, teetering on the edge of
heading into the great strip mall in the sky, this has been a
difficult year for brick-and-mortar retailers. The damage,
however, is not limited to the chains that are closing up shop
entirely. A number of others — including some iconic names — are
getting smaller, closing stores as a way to shrink into, if not
profitability, at least lower losses…. Here’s a look at some of
the retailers that have either already begun closing locations
or plan to do so this year. Ralph Lauren - plans to cut 8% of
its workforce while closing more than 50 stores. Macy’s - plans
to close 40 stores and eliminate as many as 4,500 jobs, a
process that has already started and will continue through the
summer. Barnes & Noble - The chain will shutter only eight
locations, down from the 13 it had originally planned to lose
this year, Sears and its low-price Kmart locations - The company
has already begun the process of closing 68 Kmart and 10 Sears
stores. Office Depot - Part of its ongoing strategy involves
closing stores and it had already shut down nine as of its
fiscal first quarter and plans to close a total of 50 locations
in 2016. Staples - closed 73 stores in 2015 with plans to shut
down another 50 this year…
Over 80 percent of popular bread brands contain
cancer-causing chemicals
(NaturalNews) A food additive used in bread called potassium
bromate has been in the international news lately. Indian health
officials have recently called for a ban on the use of the
additive, which has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory
animals. A testing of products in India found potassium bromate
in 84 percent of 38 popular brands of bread, buns, pizza crusts
and other baked goods. Potassium bromate has already been banned
in numerous countries, including the entire EU, the UK, Canada,
China and Brazil. However, the use of potassium bromate has not
been banned in the United States, and although all states
require the listing of ingredients, only California requires a
warning label for the additive to be included. Potassium bromate
is added to dough to make it stronger and more elastic. It also
speeds up the bread-making process and gives baked products a
white color.
Top 8 Veggie Foods Rich In Copper Can Help You Mobilize Fat
Natural Blaze - Copper is intimately connected to fat metabolism
and frequently consuming foods rich in copper regulates the
breakdown of fat. Copper is a key mineral in many different body
systems. It is central to building strong tissue, maintaining
blood volume, and producing energy in your cells…. A deficiency
in copper can lead to osteoporosis, joint pain, lowered
immunity, and since copper is essential for the absorption of
iron, anemia…. “Copper is not something the body can make, so we
need to get it through our diet,” said Chang [a scientist at
Berkeley Lab’s Chemical Sciences Division]. “The typical
American diet, however, doesn’t include many green leafy
vegetables. Asian diets, for example, have more foods rich in
copper.” But Chang cautions against ingesting copper supplements
as a result of these study results. Too much copper can lead to
imbalances with other essential minerals, including zinc. [Here
are the] 8 foods rich in Copper: Sesame Seeds, Cashews, Shiitake
Mushrooms, Sunflower Seeds, Tempeh, Garbanzo Beans, Lentils,
Walnuts.
The 'Unlucky 7' Actions That Can Shorten
a Dog's Life: How Many Are You Doing?
Dr. Becker - 1. Letting Rover Get Overweight (or Even Obese)… Being too
heavy can shave up to 10 months off a dog's life, and this is
particularly apparent in five breeds: the Labrador Retriever, Golden
Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel, Beagle and the Shih Tzu. … it's
common for veterinarians to see animals suffering from health conditions
secondary to their obesity, including arthritis, hip dysplasia,
diabetes, hypertension, respiratory problems, and kidney disease. 2.
Dodging Doggy Dental Care… A Purdue University study points to a strong
correlation in canines between gum degeneration and endocarditis, which
is an inflammatory condition (infection) of the valves or inner lining
of the heart. 3. Skipping Wellness Checkups… I recommend regular at-home
wellness exams. In addition, for healthy dogs I suggest preferably two
(especially important if your pet is over 8), but at least one wellness
checkup with your veterinarian per year…. 4. Ignoring the Athlete Inside
Your Dog… In order to stay lean, fit, well-conditioned, emotionally
balanced, and fully mobile as she ages, your dog needs a good workout
every day….
Ahh... The
'good' old days!
imgur.com - They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used
to all pee in a pot. Once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery. If
you had to do this to survive, you were “piss poor.” But worse than that
were the really poor folks who couldn’t even afford to buy a pot. They
“didn’t have a pot to piss in” and were considered the lowest of the
low…. Most people got married in June because they took their yearly
bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since
they were starting to smell, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide
the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting
married. They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to
all pee in a pot. Once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery. If
you had to do this to survive, you were “piss poor.” But worse than that
were the really poor folks who couldn’t even afford to buy a pot. They
“didn’t have a pot to piss in” and were considered the lowest of the
low….
Wednesday - June
8, 2016 - Today in History:
1786 - In New York City, commercially manufactured
ice cream was advertised for the first time.
1790 - The first loan for the U.S. was repaid. The
Temporary Loan of 1789 was negotiated and secured on
September 18, 1789 by Alexander Hamilton.
1861 - Tennessee voted to secede from the Union and
joined the Confederacy.
1872 - The penny postcard was authorized by the U.S.
Congress.
1904 - U.S. Marines landed in Tangiers, Morocco, to
protect U.S. citizens.
1915 - U.S. Secretary of State William Jennings
Bryan resigned in a disagreement over U.S. handling
of the sinking of the Lusitania.
1953 - The U.S. Supreme Court outlawed segregated
restaurants in Washington, DC.
1965 - U.S. troops in South Vietnam were given
orders to begin fighting offensively.
1967 - Israeli airplanes attacked the USS Liberty in
the Mediterranean during the 6-Day War between
Israel and its Arab neighbors. 34 U.S. Navy crewmen
were killed. Israel later called the incident a
tragic mistake due to the mis-identification of the
ship. The U.S. has never publicly investigated the
incident.
1969 - U.S. President Richard Nixon met with
President Thieu of South Vietnam to tell him 25,000
U.S. troops would pull out by August.
1982 - U.S. President Reagan became the first
American chief executive to address a joint session
of the British Parliament.
1987 - Fawn Hill began testifying in the Iran-Contra
hearings. She said that she had helped to shred some
documents.
1988 - The judge in the Iran-Contra conspiracy case
ruled that Oliver North, John Poindexter, Richard
Secord and Albert Hakim had to be tried separately.
1991 - A victory parade was held in Washington, DC,
to honor veterans of the Persian Gulf War.
1994 - The warring factions in Bosnia agreed to a
one-month cease-fire.
1995 - U.S. Air Force pilot Captain Scott O'Grady
was rescued by U.S. Marines after surviving alone in
Bosnia after his F-16 fighter was shot down on June
2.
1996 - China set off an underground nuclear test
blast.
1998 - In the U.S., the FTC brought an antitrust
complaint against Intel Corp., alleging its policies
punished other developers of microprocessor chips.
1998 - Honda agreed to pay $17.1 million for
disconnecting anti-pollution devices in 1.6 million
cars.
1998 - The space shuttle Discovery pulled away from
Mir, ending America's three-year partnership with
Russia.
2001 - British Prime Minister Tony Blair was elected to a second term in
a landslide
US effectively siding with Al-Qaeda in desire to get rid of
Assad – former UK ambassador to Syria
RT - The US is “ready to de facto ally” with its archenemies
from Al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria as part of its “obsession” by
using “so-called moderate” groups to overthrow the Syrian
government, former UK ambassador to Syria, Peter Ford, told RT
in an exclusive interview. The US “is effectively siding with a
branch of Al-Qaeda” in Syria, Peter Ford told RT, speaking of
Washington’s recent request to Moscow not to target Al-Nusra
positions with air strikes for the sake of moderate opposition
groups located in the same area. The former ambassador denounced
the move as “not reasonable at all” and “grotesque.” He also
sharply criticized the US for their “obsession with getting rid
of Assad and the secular government in Syria” that leads them
right to the alliance with “their arch-enemies” and to the loss
of “all moral and practical competence.”
Absurd’: Russian envoy to NATO ridicules allegations of plans to
invade Poland
RT - Russia has no plans whatsoever to attack Poland and any
talk about such a scheme is both absurd and dangerous, Russian
envoy to NATO Aleksandr Grushko has said. “During the NATO
secretary general’s recent visit to Poland, officials in this
country [Poland] made statements suggesting that from now on
Russia would know that any attack on Poland would mean an attack
on NATO as a whole. This is completely absurd because they are
discussing a non-existent problem. There are no plans for any
attacks on Poland,” the diplomat said in an interview with TV
channel Russia-24, adding that certain statements about NATO
military exercises in the Baltics were “shockingly blatant.” In
the same interview, Grushko emphasized that it was very
dangerous for NATO to start carrying out plans based on these
false presumptions. “Their policies dwell in surreal reality and
the most dangerous thing is that now they start to implement
these policies in the form of military planning and preparations
on the territories adjacent to our borders.”
Netanyahu arrives in Moscow for talks with Putin (Video)
RT - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in
Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin. The leaders
reportedly plan to discuss the conflict in Syria and the
prospects for settling the Israeli–Palestinian conflict…. t is
Netanyahu’s second visit to Moscow this year, which marks the
25th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations
between Israel and Russia. The previous Israeli visit to the
Russian capital took place in April. Meeting with Putin on
Tuesday, Netanyahu plans to discuss the implementation of
positions agreed on during Netanyahu’s last visit to Moscow,
placing a particular focus on coordination between the Israeli
military and Russian forces. Both sides are eager to abide by a
so-called deconflicting mechanism put in place to assure that
Russian jets can freely operate in Syrian airspace near Israel’s
borders.
'Explosive' Papers Seized From Private Detective Investigating
MH17 Crash
Sputnik News - German and Swiss authorities have confiscated
documents from private detective Josef Resch, who has been
conducting his own investigation of the 2014 crash of Malaysia
Airlines Flight 17, Dutch officials and media said Tuesday.
Investigators believe that some of the documents seized after
last week's raid on the detective's home in Bad Schwartau,
northern Germany, may shed light on the circumstances of the
tragedy. Some of the papers are said to be "explosive" and could
help determine the culprits. According to De Telegraaf daily,
the German detective began his own probe two months after the
catastrophe, and has received some $19 million for his
investigations. His generous clients remain unknown. The
contents of Resch's safe-deposit box in a bank in Zurich,
Switzerland, were also inspected.
Bilderberg 2016 to Talk Trump, Riots, Migrants & Brexit (Full
Participant List)
Paul Joseph Watson - The attendance of anti-Trump Senator
Lindsey Graham is an obvious sign that Bilderberg will be
scheming on how to prevent Trump from defeating Bilderberg’s
chosen candidate – Hillary Clinton…. Bilderberg will obviously
be discussing Brexit – Britain referendum vote to leave the EU….
The inclusion of “precariat and middle class” on the list also
means that the powerful lobby group will be ruminating on how
they can exploit and manage the inevitability of more riots and
civil unrest in the west, a topic that elitists were also
concerned about at the 2015 Davos Economic Summit…. “Precariat”
describes those who are struggling to survive in today’s economy
and who have no long term wage security…. The flooding of Europe
with third world migrants… will also be a key topic of
discussion.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
US military tests massive GPS jamming weapon over California
The Register - The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) is
warning aircraft to stay a few hundred miles away from the Naval
Air Weapons Station at China Lake, California, because the
military is testing a new gizmo that disrupts GPS - and may also
mess with flight control systems. The FAA has issued a Notice to
Airmen (NOTAM) warning that on June 7, GPS readouts will be
unreliable or nonexistent for 253 nautical miles (291 miles) at
50 feet above sea level, for 340NM (391 miles) at 4,000 feet,
and for 375NM (431 miles) at 10,000 feet, covering a huge area
of very busy airspace. In addition, the FAA is warning pilots
flying the Embraer Phenom 300, one of the world's most popular
executive jet aircraft, that the testing could interfere with
flight stability controls and has said extra care should be
taken in the area.
Try, Try Again! TSA to Undergo Secret Security Tests This Summer
Sputnik News - For the first time since the release of an
incriminating 2015 report that the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) failed to detect fake bombs and weapons in
an eye-opening 95% of covert audits, the Inspector General of
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is gearing up for new
security tests…. TSA administrator Peter Neffenger, who took
over leadership of the agency in July 2015, one month after
auditors successfully smuggled hundreds of fake weapons and
explosives past screeners, has claimed that he has retrained the
agency, ending the practice of punishing whistleblowers. Despite
the long lines, so bad that dogs are brought to play with
travelers, to keep them calm, he maintains that what many
Americans describe as the TSA’s ‘security theatre’ keeps
passengers safe.
Missouri Teen Dead for 8 Minutes After Cop Tased Him for 23
Seconds (Video)
Sputnik News - In September 2014, Bryce Masters, 17, the son of
a Kansas City police officer, was placed in a medically-induced
coma and suffered brain damage after a taser was used on him
repeatedly in the chest, for four times the duration police are
trained to use. In the footage, whose release was ordered by a
federal judge, Independence police officer Timothy Runnels, 32,
is seen approaching the vehicle and telling Masters to exit. The
teen repeatedly asks if he is under arrest, as he has not been
given a reason for the officers aggressive behavior…. Police
claimed at the time that the car smelled of marijuana and that
there was an arrest warrant connected to the license plate. It
was later confirmed that there was no warrant on the vehicle,
and that ‘probable cause’ had changed in the report, claiming
only that the officer “observed the vehicle to have darkly
tinted windows.” Runnels was sentenced to four years in prison
last week, though he had been facing up to ten. The damage to
the victim’s brain will affect him for the rest of his life.
Straight A Students Being Held Back a Grade for Refusing to Take
Common Core Standardized Tests
Melissa Dykes - Via The Orlando Sentinel: The parents, part of
the “opt out” movement opposed to high-stakes testing, are
furious. They are convinced school districts are not following
state law and are instead retaliating against families who
refused to take part in the Florida Standards Assessments. They
did so as an act of civil disobedience to protest what they view
as the state’s over-reliance on an unproven standardized test.
“There’s no reason for a third grader with straight As to be
retained,” said parent Rhonda Nickerson, whose 9-year-old
daughter may be barred from fourth grade at a Seminole County
elementary school. “What are they going to do with her in third
grade again?”… Florida is not the only state penalizing kids for
not taking unproven standardized government tests. WND reports
that at least a dozen students in Greenville, South Carolina
were officially disciplined for “refusal to obey” because they
would not take the new standardized ACT test.
Video: Trump Announces Major Speech on Clinton Corruption and
Scandal Next Week
The Gateway Pundit - Businessman Donald Trump announced on
Tuesday at his New Jersey victory speech that he will deliver a
major speech on the Clinton history of corruption and scandal.
“The Clinton’s have turned the politics of personal enrichment
into an art form for themselves. They’ve made hundreds of
millions of dollars selling access, selling favors, selling
government contracts. And I mean hundreds of millions of
dollars… I am going to give a major speech probably Monday of
next week. And we are going to be discussing all of the things
that have taken place with the Clintons. I think you’re going to
find it very informative and very, very interesting. I wonder if
the press will want to attend?
* Related Video:
Donald Trump’s Inspiring Election Night Remarks
Democratic primaries: Clinton claims nomination victory
Washington Post - Hillary Clinton celebrated her status as the
first woman to win a major party’s presidential nomination on
Tuesday evening in Brooklyn – and then turned quickly from
history to politics, attacking GOP rival Donald Trump as a bully
who wanted to “take America backwards.”… Clinton’s speech came
on a night when she primaries in New Jersey and New Mexico, and
lost the caucuses in North Dakota to rival Sen. Bernie Sanders
(Vt.). Races in two other states – South Dakota and Montana –
remain too close to call, with Clinton narrowly in the lead in
both. Polls in California, the biggest prize of the night,
closed at 11 p.m. Eastern time.
* Related:
June 7, 2016 Presidential Primaries Results
Donald Trump wins Republican presidential primary in New Jersey
The Hill - Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald
Trump is projected to win the primary in New Jersey. Trump was
declared the victor shortly after the polls closed. New Jersey
offers 51 delegates and is a winner-take-all state. He had
already secured more than the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch
the GOP nomination prior to Tuesday’s elections.
Report: Trump Refused $200 Million to Pick Gingrich as VP
Kit Daniels - The mainstream media reported that casino magnate
Sheldon Adelson was willing to contribute $100 million to
Trump’s campaign, but what wasn’t reported was the additional
$200 million the establishment offered Trump in exchange for
picking Gingrich, one of the first D.C. insiders to try and cozy
up to the mogul. When Trump declined the offer, however,
Gingrich started lashing out at him publicly, including his
recent claim that Trump made “one of his worst mistakes” for
pointing out the federal judge handling the Trump University
lawsuit has ties to the controversial La Raza Hispanic
nationalist organization. “I don’t know what Trump’s reasoning
was, and I don’t care,” Gingrich told the Washington Post. It’d
be unlikely for Gingrich to take such a weird stance in the
matter unless he was already bitter at Trump – and trying to
pressure him to change his mind. But it’s in Trump’s best
interests to pick someone close to him ideologically as VP, such
as Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), to avoid a potential
assassination attempt.
Bizarre: McConnell Claims Trump Unpopular Candidate, Lesser of
Two Evils
Kit Daniels - Yet Trump polling at over 50%, Congress at 6%…
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) claimed Donald
Trump is a “very, very unpopular candidate,” despite the fact
Trump’s poll numbers are nearly 10 times higher than Congress’s
approval rating. The Kentucky senator also described a potential
matchup between Trump and Hillary Clinton as a choice between a
“lesser of two evils,” even though Trump represents nationalism
and Clinton globalism. "We know for sure we have two very, very
unpopular candidates, but we have a two-party system in this
country,” he asserted Monday evening on the Texas-based Wells
Report radio program. “This is a choice. Regardless of who any
of us supported earlier, this is the choice.” And strangely
enough, McConnell also said Trump has to “change to win,” but
reality contradicts the senator’s claim: the reason Trump won
the nomination is because he ran an anti-establishment campaign.
Libertarian Candidate: Trump Is “Clearly” A Racist
Steve Watson - Speaking during a Facebook live interview,
Johnson hammered Trump’s comments on U.S. District Judge Gonzalo
Curiel, whom the GOP nominee declared has a conflict of interest
in overseeing lawsuits against Trump University owing to his
“Mexican heritage.” “The latest comments on the Hispanic judge —
nothing short of racist,” Johnson told a reporter…. Johnson, who
has not made any significant dent on popularity polls thus far,
also slammed Trump’s immigration policy as “absolute craziness”
and said that deporting illegal immigrants already living in the
US would be “unfair and inhumane.” “Building a fence across the
border — absolute craziness. Just crazy,” Johnson said. “How’s
that fence going to work? The border between Mexico and Texas is
the Rio Grande river. Are we going to build it on our side or
their side? Maybe right down the middle? This is just insanity.
It’s insanity.”
Pentagon: At Least 11 U.S. Troops Infected with Zika
Breitbart - Four of the infected people are women, although none
of them are pregnant, according to USA Today’s citation of Armed
Forces Health Surveillance Branch deputy chief Dr. Jose Sanchez.
Among Zika’s most alarming results is the chance of children
developing microcephaly when pregnant women contract the
disease. “Troops suffering from the Zika were four soldiers,
three Airmen, a Marine and three members of the Coast Guard,
according to Sanchez. The first confirmed case was diagnosed in
late January,” according to USA Today’s summary of the report.
15 of the infected individuals had traveled to South America or
the Caribbean, including one who visited Brazil, where the
Summer Olympics have been threatened by a Zika outbreak. It is
noted that military personnel run an exceptionally high risk of
mosquito bites, since they are often outdoors for long periods
of time…. Stars and Stripes reported a few weeks ago on a
Pentagon memo that said mosquitoes capable of carrying the virus
can be found at 190 U.S. military installations spread across 27
states and three territories.
Seattle-Caught Salmon Found To Contain Cocaine, Antidepressants, And
Pain Relievers
True Activist - According to a recent study, up to 81 drugs and
personal-care products were detected in the flesh of salmon caught in
the Puget Sound. Some of the drugs include Prozac, Advil, Benadryl,
Lipitor, and even cocaine. The Seattle Times reports that the levels are
believed to be so high because either people in the area use more of the
drugs detected, or because waste water plants are unable to fully remove
the chemicals during treatment. Another theory is that leaky septic
tanks are contributing to the problem, as high fecal coliform counts
were detected…. ntriguingly, the researchers are not concerned about the
effect the cocktail of drugs will have on the humans who eat the fish,
but they are concerned about how the chemicals are affecting wildlife.
Reportedly, Meador’s other recent work has shown that juvenile chinook
salmon migrate through contaminated estuaries in Puget Sound and die at
twice the rate of fish elsewhere. That seems like cause for concern.
Unfortunately, it not likely the contamination will let up. According to
one study, 97,000 pounds of drugs and chemicals could be entering the
Puget Sound each year.
Facial Recognition Software: Technology to Make Big Brother
Drool
Tenth Amendment Center - With simple snap of a photo from a
police officer using an iPhone app can search through driver’s
license to identify you. Now, facial recognition technology has
gone mobile, and it is cross-referenced with other databases. In
Sacramento County, the Sheriff’s Department is using an iPhone
app built by the same company that makes the department’s
license plate reader technology. In a recently released video,
an officer was able to find a suspects real identity within
seconds with a simple still picture from a phone camera. The
facial recognition program has expanded from four to 500
officers. While there are legitimate reasons for an officer to
have access to biometric data to identify suspects, there are
serious privacy implications, along with the potential for
abuse…. Access to a multitude of databases can lead to abuse and
unwarranted surveillance. We currently do not know what
databases they have access to, but a recent report suggests it
is more than just mug shots and driver’s license photos.
Video: The FBI “Next Generation” Biometric Database Must be
Stopped
Tenth Amendment Center - The FBI Biometric database being
developed right now will not only contain fingerprints – it will
also store millions of facial recognition photographs, voice
recognition data, iris scans and even DNA profiles.
Taiwan Recalls Quaker Oats Due To Glyphosate Contamination While
U.S. Does Nothing
Natural Blaze - After a random inspection from Taiwan’s Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), glyphosate … was detected in 10 out
of 36 oatmeal products, exceeding the country’s legal limit. As
a result, the country recalled nearly 62,000 kilograms of
oatmeal…. According to the China Post, most of the tainted
oatmeal was imported from the U.S.’ Quakers’ Old Fashioned
Quaker Oats and Quaker Quick 1-minute Oats that are sold at the
country’s supermarkets. Other brands were also flagged,
including Coah’s Oats, Bob’s Red Mill Instant Rolled Oats,
Fifty50 Hearty Cut Oatmeal and McCann’s Imported Irish Oatmeal,
Australia Fine Oat Flakes and oatmeal by Fengyuan Food.
Companies that exceeded the regulated standard may face fines
between NT$60,000-$200 million, or approximately
USD$1,800-$6million. Taiwan may be cracking down on excessive
levels of glyphosate, but that’s because it has a zero tolerance
policy on the carcinogenic compound in oatmeal products. In
contrast, the United States allows a maximum level of 30 ppm.
Compare that to 20 ppm in Japan and the European Union, 15 ppm
in Canada and 01. ppm in Australia.
Fructose causes genetic changes in the brain that increases risk
of disease
(NaturalHealth365) The pervasiveness of high fructose corn syrup
in the Americans diet has even been blamed for the epidemic of
obesity, type 2 diabetes and related diseases. But now,
scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, have
started to uncover the exact reasons why fructose is linked to
so many ills. Researchers there have discovered that fructose
actually alters hundreds of genes in the brain. Those changes
are linked to development of many diseases, including diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s
disease, depression, bipolar disorder and attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, among others. But the scientists also
discovered a nutrition-based, natural solution: the omega-3
fatty acid known as DHA can reverse these harmful effects….
Americans consumed an average of about 27 pounds of high
fructose corn syrup in 2014, according to U.S. Department of
Agriculture estimates. While fructose is also found in most
fruit, the fiber present significantly slows the body’s
absorption of the sugar and the other healthy components of
fruit help to offset drawbacks of the fructose.
Think Twice Before Using a Wire Bristle Brush to Clean Your
Grill…
Natural Society - A new study conducted at the University of
Missouri School of Medicine identified more than 1,600 injuries
from wire-bristle grill brushes reported in ERs since 2002…. You
can be scrubbing all that grease and black burnt-on stuff off
the grill and accidentally leave one of the little bristles
behind. If you’ve ever been poked in the finger by one of the
bristles, you know how much it hurts. You wouldn’t want to eat
one. David Chang, M.D., associate professor of otolaryngology at
the MU School of Medicine, says that most doctors probably don’t
even think about this possibility when someone comes into the ER
in pain, so this study is important. He explained in a press
release: “If doctors are unaware that this problem exists, they
may not order the appropriate tests or capture the correct
patient history to reach the right diagnosis.”… Chang said: “If
the bristle passes through those regions without lodging itself,
it could get stuck further downstream in places like the
esophagus, stomach, or the intestine. The biggest worry is that
it will lodge into those areas and get stuck in the wall of the
intestine. The bristles could migrate out of the intestine and
cause further internal damage.”
US Navy accused of ‘disappearing’ cats in Spain
RT - The Rota base in Spain’s Cadiz province has been luring feral cats
into “cage traps,” according to a local animal shelter Siempre Contigo.
According to images shared online by the organization, the traps have
signs which read, “US government property. Tampering or destruction is
unlawful, under both Spanish and American law.” Siempre Contigo’s Carmen
de los Santos told the Local, “People who tried to open the cages to let
the cats out were told there would be consequences… and the workers are
outraged." Siempre Contigo has been waiting to meet with the leaders of
the base since March. In their communications they asked the base to
suspend its captures until the meeting. They also provided information
about the TNR method (capture-neuter-return), as an alternative to the
possibility that the Navy is culling the cats…. Rota, a naval base fully
funded by the the US, has hosted four American destroyers as part of
NATO’s defensive ‘shield.’
Last Known 9/11 Rescue Dog Dies in Texas
Breitbart - The last known search and rescue dog who helped find victims
of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks has died near Houston. A
sixteen-year-old Golden Retriever, Bretagne (pronounced Brittany)
Corliss was greeted and saluted by approximately twenty-five
firefighters when she arrived at a Cypress, Texas…. The beloved canine
was also a FEMA disaster search dog. Besides responding to the terrorist
attacks on the Twin Towers, Bretagne also helped in the aftermath of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…. The heroic canine visited New York last
September to celebrate her sixteenth birthday. She visited the 9/11
memorial and received a special key to the city.
Meet the Creepy Synthetic Dog That Will Revolutionize Veterinary
Training
Breitbart - A life-like synthetic dog is currently being developed by
scientists for the use of medical training and practice for veterinary
workers. The creepy looking dog, which looks as if it has been skinned,
will be used as a replacement to the old days of terminal surgery, where
actual animals would be anesthetized, used for surgery practice for
everything from “neutering to brain surgery,” and then euthanized when
finished. “I do feel I carry that sin. I still feel guilty about it,”
said veterinarian and Vice President of SynDaver Lab, David Danielson.
The lab has produced a variety of different synthetic tissues, including
human, and is now working hard on an array of training varieties for
their synthetic dog, which includes features such as a real-time
heartbeat and a circulatory system which allows the dog to bleed.
“SynDaver Canine is our revolutionary canine surgical simulator. Based
on 20+ years of SynDaver research and made from water, fibers and salts,
this model includes individual bones, muscles, organs, veins and
arteries” explains their website. “The model supports 30+ common
procedures and is basically like a large 3D jigsaw puzzle and may be
refurbished indefinitely”.
Tuesday - June
7, 2016 - Today in History:
1712 - The Pennsylvania Assembly banned the importation of
slaves.
1775 - The United Colonies changed their name to the United States.
1776 - Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed to the Continental
Congress a resolution calling for a Declaration of Independence.
1929 - The sovereign state of Vatican City came into existence as copies
of the Lateran Treaty were exchanged in Rome.
1932 - Over 7,000 war veterans marched on Washington, DC, demanding
their bonuses.
1939 - King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, arrived in the U.S.
It was the first visit to the U.S. by a reigning British monarch.
1942 - The Battle of Midway ended. The sea and air battle lasted 4 days.
Japan lost four carriers, a cruiser, and 292 aircraft, and suffered
2,500 casualties. The U.S. lost the Yorktown, the destroyer USS Hammann,
145 aircraft, and suffered 307 casualties.
1942 - Japan landed troops on the islands of Attu and Kiska in the
Aleutians. The U.S. invaded and recaptured the Alutians one year later.
1944 - Off of the coast of Normandy, France, the Susan B. Anthony sank.
All 2,689 people aboard survived.
1948 - The Communists completed their takeover of Czechoslovakia.
1965 - In the U.S., the Gemini 4 mission was completed. The mission
featured the first spacewalk by an American.
1968 - In Operation Swift Saber, U.S. Marines swept an area 10 miles
northwest of Danang in South Vietnam.
1976 - "The NBC Nightly News", with John Chancellor and David Brinkley,
aired for the first time.
1981 - Israeli F-16 fighter-bombers destroyed Iraq’s only nuclear
reactor.
1983 - The U.S. ordered Nicaragua to close all 6 of its consulates and
informed 21 Nicaraguan consular officials that they could not longer
remain in the U.S.
1998 - James Byrd Jr., a 49-year-old African-American man, was chained
to a pickup truck and dragged to his death in Jasper, Texas.
2000 - U.S. Federal Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ordered the breakup of
Microsoft Corporation.
2003 - In a national first, New Hampshire Episcopalians elected an
openly gay man, the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, to be bishop.
UK special forces 'active on Syrian frontline'
BT - Elite UK soldiers crossed from bases in Jordan to help a unit of
the New Syrian Army (NSA) rebel group being attacked by Islamic State,
according to the Times.... MPs voted against British military action in
Syria in 2013, but the use of special forces does not require the
approval of Parliament.... Crispin Blunt, who chairs the Commons foreign
affairs select committee, said he would be "not particularly concerned
and not at all surprised".... Asked about Parliamentary approval, he
said: "We are in this Alice in Wonderland world where Parliament has
approved a motion saying it 'notes the Government will not deploy UK
troops in ground combat operations'. "It doesn't say in brackets 'not
special forces', but the convention is that it is .. because we don't
comment on special forces operations.
Everyone’s Paying For America’s War on Russia, Including America
Activist Post - US sanctions aren’t just hurting everyone including the
US, they are accomplishing nothing. The US State Department’s Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) notified readers of a diplomacy campaign
by the United States aimed at “urging” Europe to maintain sanctions
against Russia. While the US claims the necessity of these sanctions are
self-evident and beneficial to the US and Europe, such campaigns would
not be needed if that were truly the case…. The sanctions, RFE/RL
claims, are a result of Russia’s involvement in neighboring Ukraine’s
downward spiral, which ironically enough, began not with Russian
involvement but with that of America. Between 2013-2014 the United
States, with its own senators traveling to Ukraine and taking the stage
at US-backed protests in Kiev, quite literally propelled a violent
Neo-Nazi putsch into power. Since then, Ukraine has unraveled. Rather
than taking responsibility for yet another failed US intervention, US
policymakers have instead decided to shift the blame on Moscow. The
ability to hold up US-EU sanctions against Russia as a means of
legitimizing this shift of responsibility is key to the continued
underpinning of Western support for the current regime in Kiev, and
Washington’s continued belligerence toward Moscow.
US Navy Bans Drinking For 18,600 Sailors Stationed In Japan
Zero Hedge - Petty Officer 2nd Class Aimee Mejia, 21, crossed the center
line on a highway and crashed head-on into two cars shortly before
midnight Saturday, according to a police spokesman. She was not injured,
but a 35-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man in the other cars were
injured, one suffering a chest injury, the other an arm injury.... In
response to the incident, as well as due to rising anger against US
marines in Okinawa, the U.S. Naval Forces Japan immediately banned its
sailors from drinking alcohol, on and off base, and said they would be
allowed off base only to “engage in official actions” such as taking
their children to child care or going to the grocery store or gas
station.... The measures would remain in place until commanders were
“comfortable that all personnel understand the impact of responsible
behavior on the U.S.-Japan alliance.”.... ”The latest incident came as
the U.S. military observes a 30-day mourning period at bases on Okinawa
after an American civilian working for the U.S. military there was
arrested on suspicion of dumping the body of a 20-year-old Japanese
woman.
Bilderberg 2016: We can expect desperate lobbying against Brexit from
Big Business
International Business Times - The annual three-day Bilderberg
conference kicks off on Thursday, and you can be sure the mood in
Dresden will be a grim one. The heads of Google, Shell, BP and Deutsche
Bank will be there, and Brexit will be top of the agenda. The Bilderberg
Group has been nurturing the EU to life since the 1950s, and now they
see their creation under dire threat."A disaster for everyone" is how
Henri de Castries, the boss of AXA [a French multinational insurance
firm] and a director of HSBC, describes Brexit. But in particular, it is
a disaster for his banking and big business colleagues at Bilderberg.
Thomas Enders, the CEO of Airbus, who sits on Bilderberg's steering
committee – the group's governing body – said, in a recent interview
with CNBC, that his industry would be "lobbying" against Brexit. Enders
said: "Long-term it would not be positive certainly for the industry.
This why the aerospace industry – I think amongst others – will lobby...
for a [Remain] vote of the British electorate on the EU.".... We know
from Charity Commission accounts that Goldman Sachs, along with BP, is
one of the key funders of the group, and we also know that they've been
pumping "a substantial six-figure sum" into the Remain campaign. And
Goldman Sachs doesn't spend money lightly. The Remain campaign is
clearly close to whatever they have instead of a heart.
Massive Increase In Arrests For ‘Offensive’ Social Media Posts
Breitbart - Six hundred and twenty-five arrests were made for online
speech crimes in 2010, rising to 857 in 2015 — a 37 per cent increase in
just five years.... Offenders were targeted with Section 127 of the
Communications Act of 2003.... The law criminalizes “using [a] public
electronic communications network in order to cause annoyance,
inconvenience or needless anxiety,” and can result in a six-month prison
term or fine of up to £5,000.... And the number is likely to keep on
rising as this week the EU announced that Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and
Microsoft had “committed” to working more closely with them and national
governments and “their law enforcement agencies” to help “criminalise”
perceived “illegal hate speech” online.
EU fails to agree on license extension for weed-killer glyphosate
Deutsche Welle - An expert panel comprised of European Union state
representatives failed on Monday to achieve a majority for or against
renewing the glyphosate license - which is currently set to expire at
the end of June. The European Commission previously suggested a limited
extension of 12 to 18 months on the controversial pesticide to buy more
time for the European Chemicals Agency to deliver its answer on
glyphosate's carcinogenic properties. The issue now moves on to an EU
appeal committee. Should they also fail to find a majority, the decision
on whether or not to renew glyphosate will be left up to the European
Commission. If no decision is taken on the license's renewal by June 30,
products containing glyphosate like Monsanto's Roundup and other weed
killers will have to be pulled from European shelves.... Contradictory
findings on the cancer-causing risks of the chemical have caused a
dispute among EU and US politicians, as well as regulators and
scientific researchers.... Should the license be renewed, each EU
capital may still individually decide whether or not to allow products
containing glyphosate.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
State Department Blocks Release Of Hillary
Clinton-Era TPP Emails Until After The Election
International Business Times - The decision came in response to
International Business Times' open records request for
correspondence between Clinton’s State Department office and the
United States Trade Representative. The request, which was
submitted in July 2015, specifically asked for all such
correspondence that made reference to the TPP. The State
Department originally said it estimated the request would be
completed by April 2016. Last week the agency said it had
completed the search process for the correspondence but also
said it was delaying the completion of the request until late
November 2016 — weeks after the presidential election. The delay
was issued in the same week the Obama administration filed a
court motion to try to kill a lawsuit aimed at forcing the
federal government to more quickly comply with open records
requests for Clinton-era State Department documents.
FBI Whistleblowers Have No Legal Protection For Reporting
Wrongdoing
Shadowproof - In 2014, the Justice Department refused to adopt
key reforms that would benefit FBI whistleblowers....The
proposed Federal Bureau of Investigation Whistleblower
Protection Enhancement Act of 2016 seeks to correct a system the
Justice Department will not change, by offering FBI employees
opportunities for judicial review outside the Justice
Department. It expands the list of individuals an FBI employee
may make “protected disclosures” to when blowing the whistle.
Currently, the FBI takes advantage of a carve-out in the
Whistleblower Protection Act. It sets its own regulations for
whistleblowers. Employees may only pursue redress for
retaliation by going to “nine persons and entities” on a
“designated list.” They may not report wrongdoing to an
immediate supervisor in their chain of command and reporting to
the wrong individual can lead to the “disqualification” of
entirely legitimate complaints.
Utah Sheriffs Threaten To Arrest Rangers If They Try To Close
Public Lands
npr - Clashes between ranchers and federal land managers over
grazing rights are continuing. In southern Utah, things have
gotten so bad lately that some local sheriffs have threatened to
arrest federal rangers who try to close forest roads and cut off
access to ranchers and other users…. It's clear that Sheriff
Perkins, who's also a rancher, wants to push some boundaries. He
talks openly about detaining, or as he says "Mirandizing,"
federal rangers. He recalls one case recently. "I told the
Forest Service ranger that if he went out and closed a road that
Garfield County has jurisdiction on, I would arrest him," he
says…. "I said it at the time, and I'll stand by it, that is
nothing but domestic terrorism," he says. "Yes, there's been a
story, a lot of these guys have been bullied around by the BLM,
but you don't handle it that way." So despite all his tough
talk, Perkins is being careful, still working within the system.
He and other sheriffs have been going to Washington, D.C., a lot
lately, lobbying. And in the past few weeks, he says, after Utah
Republicans introduced a bill to strip law enforcement powers
from the BLM, relations out here are getting better.
Bill in Congress Could Give America Its Own Ministry Of Truth
The AntiMedia - Introduced by Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Ted
Lieu, H.R. 5181 seeks a “whole-government approach without the
bureaucratic restrictions” to counter “foreign disinformation
and manipulation,” which they believe threaten the world’s
“security and stability.”.... H.R. 5181 tasks the Secretary of
State with coordinating the Secretary of Defense, the Director
of National Intelligence, and the Broadcasting Board of
Governors to “establish a Center for Information Analysis and
Response,” which will pinpoint sources of disinformation,
analyze data, and — in true dystopic manner — ‘develop and
disseminate’ “fact-based narratives” to counter effrontery
propaganda.... Though putatively aimed to counter purported
disinformation abroad, text of the bill hints the effort would
operate on some level within the U.S., as well — or at least
cracks the door to widening that scope and focus in the future.
“Whether it’s counter-propaganda, whether it’s
counter-extremism, we just really have to come to terms with the
fact the United States government is not always the most
credible voice in these debates,” said Kristin Lord, CEO of IREX,
a non-profit organization promoting ‘global change,’ at a
meeting of the Atlantic Council in March. “So we have to invest
in the people who are making the credible arguments.”
Roger Stone Addresses ‘Reports That Donald Trump Is Gay’ [Video]
Daily Caller - …Stone claimed that he had recently been
approached by a Washington Post reporter to address several
rumors about Trump. According to Stone, a longtime political
confidante of Trump’s and famed “dirty trickster” political
operative, the unnamed Washington Post reporter first asked him
about Trump’s alleged use of cocaine. “Completely bogus,” Stone
said. “Did I ever attend parties where Donald Trump used
cocaine? Folks, Donald Trump has never used drugs in his life.
The man doesn’t even take aspirin.” Stone said the reporter then
asked him about two different potential Trump sex scandals. “Did
he have girlfriends on the side, today or previously?” Stone
claimed he was asked. “The answer is no. Yes, during the time he
was unmarried, he was a ladies man. He did date many beautiful
models, but the answer is no.”… “Lastly, she wanted to know what
about the reports that Donald Trump is gay,” he said. “Folks,
there is no report Donald Trump is gay. Not that there is
anything wrong with that, but he is a red-blooded American male
and he is most definitely heterosexual.”
Hillary Campaign Rocked By Secret Service Agent Book Exposing
Clintons’ Dirty Laundry
Zero Hedge - The book titled Crisis of Character: A White House
Secret Service Officer Discloses His Firsthand Experience with
Hillary, Bill, and How They Operate is set to hit shelves on
June 28. The Democratic convention, where Hillary could be
confirmed as the nominee, will take place a month later…. Many
of the most shocking revelations are being withheld but below
are some of the key excerpts released so far: I witnessed
firsthand the Clintons' personal and professional dysfunction:
So consumed were they by scandal, so intent on destroying their
real or imagined enemies, that governing became an
afterthought…. I saw how the Clinton Machine's appalling
leadership style endangered law enforcement officers, the
military, and the American people in general. And with Hillary
Clinton's latest rise, I realize that her own leadership
style—volcanic, impulsive, enabled by sycophants, and disdainful
of the rules set for everyone else hasn't changed a bit.
Hillary Clinton: Government Has ‘A Right’ To Regulate 2nd
Amendment
Breitbart - Government has a right to regulate the Second
Amendment, Hillary Clinton said in an interview on the June 5
airing of This Week With George Stephanopoulos…. I think that
for most of our history there was a nuanced reading of the
Second Amendment, until the decision by the late Justice [Antonin]
Scalia. And there was no argument until then that localities,
and states, and the federal government had a right–as we do with
every amendment–to impose reasonable regulations. While arguing
for the government’s “right” to regulate the Second Amendment,
Clinton twice refused to say the people have “a constitutional
right” to keep and bear arms.
Documentary: “Direct Order” The U.S. Military Personnel’s
Smoking Gun Documentation Regarding the Anthrax Vaccine
Natural Blaze - We hear dramatic story after story of service
personnel, who became dramatically ill after receiving a series
of Anthrax vaccines prior being deployed to the Middle East
starting in 1998. Private Kamila Iwanowska refused to take the
Anthrax vaccine and she was discharged. There are over 600,000
men and women in the U.S. military with thousands ill, including
many have died. The military says it’s an “emotional ailment”
even though the Anthrax vaccine was not approved by the FDA!
It’s been called a “misguided experiment.” Len Schroeter, an
attorney who prosecuted many Vietnam era Agent Orange cases,
offers that the horrors of human experimentation are done to
this day and are done largely by governments, including the
United States.
All Who Serve Are a Part of the Greatest Generation
The Daily Signal - Stop your average American on the street and
ask them, “What happened on June 6?” Surprisingly, a few might
recall that on a dreary morning while the low tide lapped lazily
on the rocky coast of Normandy, France, brave men in battle
armor no thicker than a khaki shirt grimly headed toward
Hitler’s Atlantic Wall. There is nothing special to mark the
72nd anniversary of the D-Day invasion during World War II.
Nothing special—other than the men themselves. That 18-year-old
struggling up the steep bluffs of Omaha Beach while tracer
rounds flashed overhead would be 90 years old now, eyes
flickering, still alive with the memories of that unforgettable
day. About 73,000 Americans landed on the beaches on June 6,
1944. Almost 2,500 of our boys were killed.... We have Memorial
Day to remember the honored dead. We have Veterans Day to
remember the living. But every day, on the anniversary of great
moments of history like D-Day, and unremarkable days not
recorded on stone monuments anywhere, Americans wear their
nation’s uniform in defense of us. We should remember them every
day.
Half Million Veterans Waiting Over 30 Days for VA Care
Free Beacon - The most recent data on pending appointments
released by the VA last week shows that nearly 506,000 veterans
currently seeking care at agency medical centers have waited
more than a month for appointments, an increase of more than
10,000 in just two weeks and 23,000 in one month.... The VA
aimed to schedule veterans’ appointments in 14 days or less
before it was revealed in 2014 that staffers were keeping secret
lists to conceal long waits for care. Since then, the agency has
relaxed its target to 30 days. While a majority of veterans are
being seen by VA doctors within 30 days of their “preferred
date” for an appointment, average wait times for primary and
specialty care appointments nationwide have spiked in recent
weeks.... Among those waiting more than 30 days for
appointments, nearly 300,000 will not see a doctor for between
one and two months, over 130,000 between two and three months,
and nearly 50,000 between three and four months. Over 30,000
veterans currently have waited more than four months—a third of
a year—for appointments. All of these statistics have increased
over the last two weeks.
More than 100,000 People Can't Drink the Contaminated Tap Water in
Alabama...Until September!
The Organic Prepper - The issue is synthetic chemicals that have the
potential to cause cancer, birth defects, and developmental delays in
children. Traces of PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic
acid) were found in the blood of nearly every single person tested,
according to the EPA…. The water authority blames 3M for the
contaminated tap water in Alabama. Last year, the water authority filed
a suit against “3M and other companies” over the contamination in the
river. If I’m understanding that correctly (and I’m pretty sure I am)
that means they were aware of this issue long before the advisory was
issued on May 19. So, much like the Flint scandal, those in the know
were aware that customers (who pay for water) were drinking
cancer-water. 3M, however, says not to worry. You’ll be fine.
Flint water bills set to double, residents will pick up check
RT - Replacing and updating Flint’s water infrastructure will cost more
than $214 million, Flint-based engineering firm Rowe Professional
Services said in a 63-page report obtained by the Detroit Free Press.
The city will need to replace 13 miles of water mains ever year for the
next 50 years, repair or replace five dams, and switch out at least
2,000 lead service lines annually for the next five years, the company
wrote. The cost of replacing the roughly 10,000 lead pipes carrying
water to homes and businesses will be $80 million and could take as long
as eight years, according to the report, as cited by the Free Press….
Unfortunately, though, no one knows exactly how many lead pipes there
are in the city.
Google is Quietly Recording Everything You Say — Here’s How to
Hear It, Delete It, and Stop It
DC Clothesline - Thanks to a function of their search software,
Google could have years worth of your conversations recorded,
and you can hear it for yourself. Your cringe-worthy history can
be heard and viewed along with a list of all your searches, at
your personal Google history page. The feature was built into
Google’s search function as a means of delivering accurate
search results. However, the sheer accuracy and amount of data
Google stores is chilling. The good news is that you can turn it
off and delete it.... When visiting your personal history page
that the web giant keeps on you, it will show you everywhere
Google has a record of you being on the internet. Of course,
Google claims that this information is never personally used
against you and is done solely for the purpose of enlightening
your experience on the web. However, imagine the ominous
implications if this information was being used against you.
Google now processes over 40,000 search queries every second on
average, which translates to over 3.5 billion searches per day
and 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwide. The data from
these searches is then stored on each individual who conducts
them.
The Science of Smudging: What Actually Happens When We Burn Sage
Spirit Science - The scientific paper entitled “Medicinal
Smokes” and published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology
focuses a scientific lens on the practice, which is becoming
more and more widely practiced, despite skepticism. It serves to
play against the role that this activity has played in a
culturally diverse range of religions and tribal beliefs. he
research study looked into herbal and non-herbal remedies that
were administered by the burning of various matter. The research
included information from 50 countries over 5 continents and
found that, predominantly, smoke administered medicinally is
mostly used to aid lung, brain and skin function. In addition,
it was revealed that passive fumes doubled as a sort of air
purifier. A follow up paper published in the same periodical,
“Medicinal smoke reduces airborne bacteria,” found that the
research concluded that, in addition to health benefits,
smudging was a powerful antiseptic…. In short, burning medicinal
herbs cleared airborne bacterial populations by 94%, and the
space was still found to be disinfected a day later. What’s
more, a month after smudging, much of the pathogens originally
found were still undetectable.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
Public housing residents in South Pittsburg forced to remove
gardens from yards
Times Free Press - Public housing residents in South Pittsburg
[Tennessee] have been told to remove flower and vegetables
gardens from their yards. Several residents and even the town’s
mayor oppose the policy. “I can’t help from thinking about how
devastating this is on those who have put years of time, love
and expense in their flower gardens,” Mayor Jane Dawkins wrote
on Facebook. The housing authority’s board voted in April to
give residents until June 1 to remove their gardens. Executive
Director Lisa Bradford said in a written statement that it has
always been the housing authority’s policy to prohibit residents
from planting flowers and vegetable gardens in the yard, but the
previous administration did not enforce it. “This new
landscaping policy is needed to ensure the safety of the
maintenance employees, residents and guests of the housing
authority,” she wrote. “Each resident that violated the
landscaping policy by placing unauthorized alteration on the
residential property created greater obstacles and safety issues
for maintenance employees.”… An 80-year-old public housing
resident in South Pittsburg said she's been sick and stressed
since she got the letter saying she was no longer allowed to
have a garden. Yellow daffodils and deep pink roses are among
the plants and flowers extending from her porch to the curb.
These 5 Flowers Can Save Monarch Butterflies
Natural Blaze - The monarch population is beginning to show its
first signs of recovery after plummeting over 90% in the past
decade because of pesticides, extreme weather, disease, and
habitat loss…. These 5 spring butterfly plants will help
returning monarchs to get off to a great start: Spider Milkweed…
The American Monarch Conservation Plan recommends planting
native milkweed species to restore habitat within the monarch
butterfly’s breeding range. Chives are a low maintenance plant
with fragrant purple flowers that can also be used in the
kitchen. Luckily, monarch butterflies also love the blossoms of
chives. Siberian Wallflowers are a beautiful orange and have a
wonderful aroma that attracts monarchs, bees, and hummingbirds.
May Night Salvia is a striking blue and purple that will look
great in any garden. This hybrid is a great attractor of
monarchs. [and] Common Milkweed is one of the earliest sprouting
milkweed varieties. It is a preferred spring milkweed because of
it has large thick leaves that are able to sustain monarch
caterpillars.
4 Common Plants You Didn’t Know You Could Turn Into Flour
Off the Grid News - If you’re looking for gluten-free
alternatives, you’re in luck. These types of natural, wild flour
sources are either gluten free or, in the case of rye grass,
very low in gluten…. The Sources: 1. Amaranth – Amaranth is a
weed, but I prefer to think of it as an indigenous plant common
across North and South America that produces a seed stalk. The
seed stalks of the amaranth range in size from 4 to 8 inches in
length and are packed with thousands of seeds. The plants grow
prolifically and reseed easily as annuals. 2. Acorns – Acorns
are best harvested in the fall after they’ve fallen to the
ground. They need to be dried, and the best way is to roast
them. 3. Rye grass – Rye grass is a tall grass 3 to 4 feet in
height. The seeds are long and narrow and distinct from some of
the small seed heads on other grasses. Annual rye grass provides
larger seed heads than perennial rye grasses, because annuals
are so dependent on reseeding for proliferation. 4. Cattails –
Peel the wet roots and chop them into small pieces and then
pound them with a little water to make a mash. There will be
some fibers, so strain the mash through a screen. The resulting
flour mash should then be left to dry and can be crushed into
flour using any of the techniques we’ve identified.
How Melatonin Could Help Those with Autism
Natural Society - It is reported that more than half of the
people diagnosed with autism have insufficient melatonin
levels…. Melatonin is an important neurotransmitter produced by
the pineal gland. It is responsible for making sure we sleep,
and that our circadian rhythms stay balanced. While melatonin
supplementation won’t cure autism, it can certainly help greatly
with the sleep disorders that accompany it, often making other
symptoms such as a negative mood, or difficulty concentrating
much better since these are also influenced by the amount of
sleep people with autism get (and people without it too!)
Too much calcium isn’t so good for our bones
What Doctors Don't Tell You - If calcium is good for our bones,
consuming large amounts should give us special protection
against osteoporosis and fractures, right? Well, no. Consuming
moderate amounts of calcium every day—and from vegetables rather
than dairy products—is more effective, new research has found.
The optimum amount is within the range of 275 to 780 mg a day
for men, and 250 to 650 mg for women, and these give the best
protection. Strangely, people who ate more than that seemed to
have a higher risk of a fracture or developing osteoporosis,
researchers from the China Health and Nutrition survey have
discovered. The source of the calcium also seemed to matter:
rather than getting it from milk and dairy products, as we’re
often encouraged to do, the 6,210 participants in the survey who
had the most protection were those who got their calcium from
plants and vegetables.
Celery Boosts Your White Blood Cells and Starves Cancer
Natural Blaze - James Duke, Ph.D., author of The Green Pharmacy,
found more than 20 anti-inflammatory compounds in celery and
celery seeds, including a substance called apigenin, which is
powerful in its anti-inflammatory action. Adding celery seeds to
soups, stews or as a salt substitute in many recipes can boost
the flavonoid content of these preparations. The antioxidant
support we get from celery is largely due to its phenolic
nutrients that have been shown to help protect us against
unwanted oxidative damage to our cells, blood vessels, and organ
systems. As a cancer-fighting bioflavonoid, apigenin has also
been studied in relation to breast and ovarian cancers. A
University of Missouri study found that apigenin shrank a type
of breast cancer that’s stimulated by progestin, a synthetic
hormone often given to menopausal women.
The Behavior You Don't Want to Discourage, No Matter How Bad It Gets
Dr. Becker - When your dog growls, your first reaction may be to try and
stop it. You may even yell at your dog or punish him for growling at
you. This may stop the growl, but unfortunately may lead to greater
problems in the future. Why? Because when your dog growls, he's trying
to tell you something — usually that he's uncomfortable or afraid.
Growling is not only acceptable; it's a desirable form of communication.
Your dog is giving you a warning to back off or to tell you that he
needs to be removed from the situation. If punished enough times for
growling, your dog will learn not to growl and then may not give any
indication when situations are stressing him out. The end result may be
that he suddenly bites someone without warning because, after all, he's
been taught not to give one.
Monday - June 6, 2016
- Today in History:
Remembering D-Day - 1944
1813 - The U.S. invasion of Canada was halted at Stony Creek, Ontario.
1833 - Andrew Jackson became the first U.S. president to ride in a
train. It was a B&O passenger train.
1904 - The National Tuberculosis Association was formed in Atlantic
City, NJ.
1924 - The German Reichtag accepted the Dawes Plan. It was an American
plan to help Germany pay off its war debts.
1932 - In the U.S., the first federal tax on gasoline went into effect.
It was a penny per gallon.
1933 - In Camden, NJ, the first drive-in movie theater opened.
1934 - U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Securities Exchange
Act, which established the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
1936 - The first helicopter was tested in a building in Berlin, Germany.
1941 - The U.S. government authorized the seizure of foreign ships in
U.S. ports.
1942 - The first nylon parachute jump was made by Adeline Gray in
Hartford, CT.
1942 - Japanese forces retreated in the World War II Battle of Midway.
The battle had begun on June 4.
1944 - The
D-Day invasion of Europe took place on the beaches of
Normandy, France. 400,000 Allied American, British and Canadian troops
were involved.
1968 - U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy died at 1:44am in Los Angeles
after being shot by Sirhan Sirhan. Kennedy was was shot the evening
before while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.
1982 - Israel invaded southern Lebanon in an effort to drive PLO
guerrillas out of Beirut.
1985 - The body of Nazi war criminal Dr. Josef Mengele was located and
exhumed near Sao Paolo, Brazil. Mengele was known as the "Angel of
Death."
1985 - The U.S. Senate authorized nonmilitary aid to the Contras. The
vote authorized $38 million over two years.
2005 - The United States Supreme Court ruled that federal authorities
could prosecute sick people who smoke marijuana on doctor's orders. The
ruling concluded that state medical marijuana laws did not protect uses
from the federal ban on the drug.
Credibility of Brazil’s Interim President Collapses as He
Receives 8-Year Ban on Running for Office
The Intercept - A mere 20 days into the seizure of power by the
corruption-implicated “interim” President Michel Temer,
overwhelming evidence has emerged proving that to be true:
Already, two of the interim ministers in Temer’s all-white-male
cabinet, including his anti-corruption minister, have been
forced to resign after the emergence of secret recordings
showing them plotting to obstruct that investigation (an
investigation in which they, along with one-third of his
cabinet, are personally implicated).... He, too, is implicated
in several corruption investigations. And now, he has been
formally convicted of violating election laws and, as
punishment, is banned from running for any political office for
eight years.... Temer was found guilty of spending his own funds
on his campaign in excess of what the law permits.
European Union Declares War On Internet Free Speech
Zero Hedge - The European Union (EU), in partnership with
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft, has unveiled a "code
of conduct" to combat the spread of "illegal hate speech" online
in Europe. However, as many have warned, the European Union's
definition of "hate speech" and "incitement to violence" is so
vague that it could include virtually anything deemed
politically incorrect by European authorities, including
criticism of mass migration, Islam or even the EU itself.... The
"code of conduct" was announced on May 31 in a statement by the
European Commission, the unelected administrative arm of the
European Union.... The agreement also requires Internet
companies to establish a network of "trusted reporters" in all
28 EU member states to flag online content that "promotes
incitement to violence and hateful conduct."
Switzerland's voters rejects basic income plan
BBC News - Final results from Sunday's referendum showed that
nearly 77% opposed the plan, with only 23% backing it. The
proposal had called for adults to be paid an unconditional
monthly income, whether they worked or not.... There was little
support among Swiss politicians for the idea and not a single
parliamentary party came out in favour, but the proposal
gathered more than 100,000 signatures and was therefore put to
the vote under the Swiss popular initiative system. Critics of
the measure said that disconnecting the link between work done
and money earned would have been bad for society. But Che Wagner
from the campaign group Basic Income Switzerland, argued before
the vote that it would not be money for nothing. "In Switzerland
over 50% of total work that is done is unpaid. It's care work,
it's at home, it's in different communities, so that work would
be more valued with a basic income."
Major U.S. Retailers Accused of Failing to Improve Conditions
for Overseas Factory Workers
AllGov - After more than 1,100 deaths exposed dangerous labor
conditions in Bangladesh in 2013, brands like [fashion retailer]
H&M, Wal-Mart and Gap were among the most powerful companies
that pledged to improve the safety of some of the country’s
poorest workers.... On Tuesday, the Wage Alliance released its
latest report, which accuses Wal-Mart of benefiting from forced
labor and other abusive practices in a number of Asian
countries. In Cambodia, for instance, workers at factories who
make products sold at the company are required to work 10 to 14
hours a day in sweltering heat, without access to clean drinking
water or breaks — conditions that have contributed to “mass
fainting episodes,” the report said. Workers who refuse or who
try to speak up for themselves risk being fired, according to
the report. In a statement, Wal-Mart said that its standards for
suppliers “specifically address working hours, breaks, the
cultivation of a safe and healthy work environment, and freedom
of association.” The retailer said that it does not own or
operate facilities in Cambodia or Bangladesh, but that it
expects suppliers to “uphold these standards in the factories
from which they manufacture products.”
Families Of Death Squad Victims Allowed To Sue Chiquita
Executives
Common Dreams - ... a U.S. judge ruled in favor of allowing
Colombians to sue former Chiquita Brand International executives
for the company’s funding of a paramilitary group that murdered
plaintiffs’ family members. Chiquita poured $1.7 million between
1997 and 2004 into the outlawed far-right paramilitary group AUC,”
observed TeleSur, “which operated as a death squad in
Colombia.”.... The lawsuit alleges that Chiquita executives at
the time, including the former CEO and COO, were fully aware
that they were funding a terrorist group that was engaging in “a
systematic campaign of terror—death threats, extrajudicial
killings, torture, rape, kidnappings, forced disappearances and
looting—against vast swathes of the Colombian civilian
population,” as Judge Marra wrote in his ruling. The former
executives have “moved to dismiss the lawsuit on numerous
grounds,” ERI noted, “including that the plaintiffs had not
shown that they were personally involved in wrongful conduct,
and because the abuses had occurred abroad.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Global Gun Control Advocates to Meet in NYC to Set UN
Disarmament Agenda
The New American - From June 6-10 delegates from around the
world will attend the Sixth Biennial Meeting of States (BMS6) of
the PoA.... Serving as an agenda for the deliberations will be
the Chair's Summary published after the last meeting in 2015....
Paragraph 33 of the Chair’s Summary of the meeting calls for
urgent tracking of civilian-owned firearms, recommending that
manufacturers be forced by the UN to install “RFID and biometric
technologies in limiting the access to the weapon to authorized
users only,” with authorized users defined as state actors (UN
member nations)....That’s right. As part of the Programme of
Action (the foundation upon which the Arms Trade Treaty is built
— a treaty nearly half of the U.S. Senate supports), the United
States has committed to passing legislation that will require
domestic firearms and ammunition manufacturers to equip their
products with RFID chips and biometric technologies that will
help the government slowly but surely disarm civilians. That’s
not all. At the end of that paragraph, the UN suggests
governments look into combining RFID chips, biometrics, with GPS
tracking technologies to be sure to prevent regular people from
getting their hands on guns.
IRS finally reveals list of tea party groups targeted for extra
scrutiny
Washington Times - The government released names of 426
organizations. Another 40 were not released as part of the list
because they had already opted out of being part of the
class-action suit. That total is much higher than the 298 groups
the IRS‘ inspector general identified back in May 2013, when
investigators first revealed the agency had been subjecting
applications to long — potentially illegal — delays, and forcing
them to answer intrusive questions about their activities. Sixty
of the groups on the list released last month have the word
“tea” in their name, 33 have “patriot,” eight refer to the
Constitution, and 13 have “912” in their name — which is the
monicker of a movement started by conservatives. Another 26
group names refer to “liberty,” though that list does include
some groups that are not discernibly conservative in
orientation. Among the groups that appear to trend liberal are
three with the word “occupy” in their name. And then there are
some surprising names, including three state or local chapters
of the League of Women Voters — a group with a long history of
nonprofit work.
Hillary Clinton Posted Names of Hidden Intelligence Officials On
Her Email
Breitbart - Numerous names cited in Clinton’s emails have been
redacted in State Department email releases with the
classification code “B3 CIA PERS/ORG,” a highly specialized
classification that means the information, if released, would
violate the Central Intelligence Act of 1949. The State
Department produced a document [Click
here to see document] to Judicial Watch in April 2014 that
identifies different types of “(b)(3)” redactions, including
“CIA PERS/ORG,” which it defines as information “Specifically
exempted from disclosure by statute … Central Intelligence Act
of 1949.” “That’s what it suggests,” Judicial Watch president
Tom Fitton told Breitbart News, referring to the indication that
Clinton disclosed the names of CIA-protected intelligence
sources, based on the B3 redactions.... The State Department
declined to comment.
Snowden Tried to Raise Concerns Over Mass Surveillance,
Documents Reveal
Sputnik News - Whistleblower Edward Snowden raised concerns
about mass surveillance to his superiors at the NSA before
publicly releasing thousands of classified documents, Vice News
revealed. But he did not get a response. After leaking the
documents, the agency repeatedly tried to find evidence, or lack
thereof, of Snowden's claims. However, each time there were
reasons to return a negative — and false — response to reporters
from various outlets. The methods the NSA used to cover up
Snowden's accusations varied, the story says. On one occasion,
high-ranking NSA officials did not inform the Media Leaks Task
Force (an internal NSA group tasked with Snowden's case
investigation) about interactions Snowden had with agency
employees.... In another case, the agency claimed that Snowden
never raised concerns about NSA programs. If taken literally,
this is true, as Snowden did not mention any specific NSA
programs in his inquiries.
Oregon standoff: Judge declines to dismiss conspiracy, firearms
in federal facility charges
Oregon Live - The judge's decisions follow legal arguments last
month in which defense lawyers had urged the court to dismiss
the allegations, contending they were unconstitutionally vague
or broad, or that the federal government did not have
jurisdiction over the wildlife sanctuary in eastern Oregon. In
written orders filed Friday, the judge dismissed those defense
motions. Brown, though, has yet to rule on the third count of
the federal indictments – using and carrying a firearm in the
course of a crime of violence - considered the most tenuous of
the charges filed.
Elite Military Planes Crashing - Is Russia Using Their Secretive
EMP Weapon To Send America A Message?
All News Pipeline - Back in May of 2015, Susan Duclos wrote a
story on ANP called "Has Russia Just Changed The Future Of
Warfare Completely, And Rendered US High-Tech Weapons System
Obsolete?" in which she told us about an April 2014 story that
happened to the USS Donald Cook that allegedly 'so demoralized
the crew' of the US warship that they sunk into depression.
Using an electronic warfare device called a 'Khibiny', the
Russian plane disabled all radars, control circuits, systems,
information transmission and weapons systems aboard the USS
Donald Cook, leaving it deaf, dumb and blind in the middle of
the Black Sea. The Russian SU-24 then simulated a missile attack
against the USS Donald Cook, and as if carrying out a training
exercise, repeated the same maneuver 12 times before flying
away. Why didn't the USS Donald Cook respond to the aggressions
of the Russian plane? While there is no way that we here at ANP
can confirm that this 'Khibiny' was used against the elite
military planes that were crashed on Thursday, many other recent
events that have been happening around the world show us that
the Russians have no fear whatsoever of the US military. Flying
very close to US Navy ships in the water once again back in
April of 2016, while doing barrel rolls over the top of it, we
have to ask, what is going on here?
Important Read: FM 3-24 MC W P 3-33.5 INSURGENCIES AND
COUNTERING INSURGENCIES
This field manual provides doctrine that frames
counterinsurgency within the context of the range of military
operations and provides a framework for the different ways land
forces could counter an insurgency. Understanding insurgencies
and the operational environment in which they exist, the ways in
which the U.S. will attempt to counter insurgencies, and how
commanders synchronize their efforts to achieve end states is at
the core of what this manual provides to both the Army and the
Marine Corps.
Teen Male Dominates Girls Track And Field
The Daily Caller - Haines [Hign School] senior Nattaphon Wangyot–who
self-identifies as a girl–advanced to the state finals in the
100-meter and 200-meter events. He won fifth place in the
100-meter dash and third place in the 200-meter. In both events,
he competed against girls as young as ninth grade.... Alaska
allows each school to decide whether to let boys compete in
individual girls’ events. According to the Alaska Dispatch News,
Wangyot’s district doesn’t even require boys to undergo hormone
therapy before competing in girls’ events. “For the purposes of
gender identification for interscholastic activities, the
district will consider the gender identity based on the
student’s consistent declaration of gender identity, their
actions, attitude, dress and mannerisms,” the policy states.
TRUMP: Hillary Clinton Should Be in Jail For What She Did With
Her Emails (Video)
Infowars - “What a mess she’s in. Who would be so stupid to do
what she did with her emails?” But I get why she did it —
because she’s a thief. That’s why she did it,” “Hillary Clinton
should be in jail for what she did to our national security. She
could have used a government server.” “They are protecting her
from going to jail, and she doesn’t want to anger the president
by saying, ‘I disagree with you on this.’”
San Jose Police Chief Who Admits ALLOWING ATTACKS on Trump
Supporters is Affiliated With La Raza
The Gateway Pundit - The Mercury News reported: San Jose police
chief defends officers accused of failing to protect Trump
supporters from violence. A day after a melee erupted outside a
Donald Trump rally, the San Jose police chief and mayor on
Friday defended themselves from a national backlash over their
handling of the dramatic and at times violent protest. On radio
talk shows and across social media, some called for Mayor Sam
Liccardo’s resignation because of his comments suggesting that
Trump was to blame for igniting violence, while police were
criticized for failing to protect Trump supporters from angry
protesters throwing punches, water bottles and traffic cones….
While it appeared to many onlookers that police allowed the
violence to proceed unchecked, San Jose police Chief Eddie
Garcia insisted that it was more important for police to hold
their “skirmish line” formations than to stop individual
attacks. Four arrests were made…. What has gone largely
unreported, is that police chief Eddie Garcia is affiliated with
the far left group La Raza.
* Related:
NBC’s Andrea Mitchell Blames Trump for Woman Assaulted With Eggs
in San Jose (Video)
Use it or lose it: Occasional Ohio voters may be shut out in
November
Reuters - As the Nov. 8 elections loom, officials in Ohio have
removed tens of thousands of voters from registration lists
because they have not cast a ballot since 2008. All U.S. states
periodically cleanse their voter rolls, but only a handful
remove voters simply because they don't vote on a regular basis.
And nowhere could the practice have a greater potential impact
in the state-by-state battle for the White House than Ohio, a
swing state that has backed the winner in every presidential
election since 1960. Voters of all stripes in Ohio are affected,
but the policy appears to be helping Republicans in the state's
largest metropolitan areas, according to a Reuters survey of
voter lists.
Sanders: 'The Democratic National Convention will be a contested
convention'
CNN - Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday vowed to continue
his fight for the Democratic nomination beyond the primary
season, telling reporters at a news conference in Los Angeles
that he plans to go after Hillary Clinton's superdelegates.
Clinton currently has 2,313 total delegates -- 1,769 of which
are pledged and 544 of which are superdelegates -- and she is
expected to cross the 2,383-delgate threshold in the next few
days to clinch the nomination. But Sanders, who has 1,501
pledged delegates and only 46 superdelegates, says he can still
woo enough of her superdelegates between now and the Democratic
convention in July to swing the nomination his way. "The media
is in error when they lump superdelegates with pledged
delegates. Pledged delegates are real," Sanders said. "Hillary
Clinton will not have the requisite number of pledged delegates
to win the Democratic nomination at the end of the nominating
process on June 14. Won't happen. She will be dependent on
superdelegates." He vowed, "The Democratic National Convention
will be a contested convention."
The 'anointment' of Hillary Clinton: Bernie begs the press not
to call the race on Tuesday for his opponent before California
polls close
Daily Mail - Bernie Sanders made an impassioned plea on Saturday
to superdeledates and the media not to write him off on Tuesday
before the polls close in California. Blasting what he called an
'anointment process,' Sanders said he has a chance to win
California, possibly by a large margin, but turnout could be
depressed if the media calls the race for Clinton when the polls
close on the East Coast. With superdelegate support, she'll
cross the threshold to become the Democratic nominee after New
Jersey is called, three hours before the deadline for
Californians to cast their ballots. 'It is extremely unlikely,'
as Sanders argued today, that Clinton will have enough pledged
delegate support to win the nomination at that time. Yet, she's
likely to declare victory, and the national media can be counted
on to follow suit.
Video: Hillary’s coughing fit returns
American Mirror - Hillary Clinton had another coughing fit today
— when she wasn’t even talking. Clinton was attending an event
on immigration reform in Sylmar, California when it broke out. A
video of the incident shows Clinton began coughing as a guest
was speaking, then took a very large drink of water before
coughing repeatedly.
Remembering Harriet, the famous bald eagle that helped heal
veterans wounded like her
Washington Post - Harriet’s life’s work began after she lost use
of her wings....when she was struck by a passing vehicle and
left injured on the side of the road, unable to move.... But the
injury that almost killed Harriet is also what made her special:
She became an ambassador at the National Eagle Center in
Wabasha, Minn., making monthly visits to the Veterans Affairs
hospital in Minneapolis to greet veterans who had also suffered
life-changing injuries.... She fulfilled this role for more than
15 years, until ailing health forced her into retirement last
year. In recent weeks, Harriet stopped eating, an indication
that she was at the natural end of her life, the National Eagle
Center said. This Wednesday, Harriet was euthanized.... Harriet
developed a particularly close relationship with Sgt. Shane
Parsons, a combat veteran who lost his legs in Iraq....
[Parson's Mother] Cindy Parsons, who described meeting Harriet
and Vallieres [a disabled Vietnam veteran and bird handler] as
her son’s “saving grace,” wrote: All I can say is this: that
eagle healed Shane in ways no human possibly could…One time Bob
[Vallieres] let Shane stroke the feathers on Harriet’s back.
Shane and the bird locked eyes and Shane said, ‘See, Mom, when I
stare into Harriet’s eyes, she understands me, understands my
pain, I can see it in her eyes.’ Others have concurred that
Harriet’s piercing eyes, round and eternal, inspired strength.
Worst Jobs Report In Nearly 6 Years – 102 Million Working Age
Americans Do Not Have Jobs
Economic Collapse - On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics
announced that the U.S. economy only added 38,000 jobs in May.
This was way below the 158,000 jobs that analysts were
projecting, and it is also way below what is needed just to keep
up with population growth. In addition, the number of jobs
created in April was revised down by 37,000 and the number of
jobs created in March was revised down by 22,000. This was the
worst jobs report in almost six years, and the consensus on Wall
Street is that it was an unmitigated disaster.
*Related:
312K Full-Time Jobs Were Lost In Last Two Months, Offset By 118K
Part-Time Hires
Thirteen of 23 Co-Ops Created Under Obamacare Have Failed
Free Beacon - Ohio’s InHealth Mutual co-op announced last week
that it is going out of business, making it the 13th co-op to
fail out of the 23 that were created under Obamacare.... The
co-op served nearly 22,000 consumers who now have 60 days to
find another policy offered by another company on the federal
exchange.... The company recorded an underwriting loss of $80
million in 2015 despite the $129 million in taxpayer-backed
loans granted to the co-op by the federal government....Ohio’s
failed co-op is added to the list of 12 co-ops that have already
failed in Arizona, Michigan, Utah, Kentucky, New York, Nevada,
Louisiana, Oregon, Colorado, Tennessee, South Carolina, and a
co-op that served both Iowa and Nebraska. Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services chief operating officer Mandy Cohen told
lawmakers in February that eight of the 11 remaining Obamacare
co-ops in operation were selected for “corrective action plans”
and “enhanced oversight.” She did not disclose which co-ops were
placed on these plans.
Triple-digit silver prices coming
Hang The Bankers - Keith Neumeyer serves as CEO of First
Majestic Silver Corp. The company ranks as the second largest
silver producer in Mexico – the world’s leading country in
silver production. Neumeyer told Bloomberg a major Japanese
electronics maker approached the company last month seeking to
lock in future silver stock. This is a sign that supply concerns
could significantly boost the price of the white metal – perhaps
as much as nine-fold: “For an electronics manufacturer to come
directly to us — that tells me something is changing in the
market I think we’ll see three-digit silver.” Neumeyer said he
believes the price of silver could surge to $140 per ounce as
early as 2019.
Court upholds storage of nuclear waste at power plants, rebuffing states
The Hill - A federal appeals court Friday rejected a plea from four
liberal [?] states to overturn a regulation allowing long-term storage
of spent nuclear fuel at power plants. The District of Columbia Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
followed all relevant laws and standards when it wrote its 2014
regulation and an associated environmental impact statement...The
attorneys general of New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut
filed the lawsuit shortly after the NRC voted to make its regulation and
environmental impact statement final.
Even in remotest Africa, Windows 10 nagware ruins your day
The Register - When you're stuck in the middle of the Central
African Republic (CAR) trying to protect the wildlife from armed
poachers and the Lord's Resistance Army, then life's pretty
tough.... The Chinko Project manages roughly 17,600 square
kilometres (6,795 square miles) of rainforest and savannah in
the east of the CAR, near the border with South Sudan. Money is
tight, and so is internet bandwidth. So the staff was more than
a little displeased when one of the donated laptops the team
uses began upgrading to Windows 10 automatically, pulling in
gigabytes of data over a radio link.... A team member told us
the Chinko Project uses satellite communications for internet
access and gets charged quite a lot for data, so the
multi-gigabyte automatic upgrade was even more frustrating than
for the rest of us.... To add insult to injury, the team had
only just got their satellite system up and running again after
a storm tore open the roof of the building housing the setup.
After taking a battering, the hardware is operational again, but
is needed for far more serious things than pumping up Windows 10
usage figures.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
New EPA Report Will Lead to Virtual US Ban on Atrazine Herbicide
Sustainable Pulse - The EPA assessment of atrazine will lead to
tighter regulatory limits on the product, manufactured by
Swiss-based Syngenta AG, which will ultimately prevent farmers
from being able to use it to control weeds in the U.S.. Atrazine
is also well known as a hormone disruptor that has been linked
to birth defects and cancer in humans, and contamination of
ground-, surface- and drinking-water supplies. About 70 million
pounds of atrazine are used in the United States each year. The
second-most widely used pesticide in the United States and
already banned in Europe, atrazine was found to cause
reproductive harm to mammals and birds in real-world scenarios,
with EPA “levels of concern” surpassed nearly 200-fold,
according to the new EPA assessment…. The latest findings come
as the EPA is in the process of “registration review” of
atrazine, a process designed to determine whether the chemical
can safely be used in light of new scientific study. The
assessment will inform EPA’s decision on whether to allow
atrazine to be used for the next 15 years.
Genetically modified Golden Rice falls short on lifesaving
promises
Washington University in St. Louis - “Golden Rice is still not
ready for the market, but we find little support for the common
claim that environmental activists are responsible for stalling
its introduction. GMO opponents have not been the problem,” said
lead author Glenn Stone, professor of anthropology and
environmental studies in Arts & Sciences. First conceived in the
1980s and a focus of research since 1992, Golden Rice has been a
lightning rod in the battle over genetically modified crops. GMO
advocates have long touted the innovation as a practical way to
provide poor farmers in remote areas with a subsistence crop
capable of adding much-needed Vitamin A to local diets.... Some
anti-GMO groups view Golden Rice as an over-hyped Trojan Horse
that biotechnology corporations and their allies hope will pave
the way for the global approval of other more profitable GMO
crops.
10 shocking reasons why Zika virus fear is another fraudulent
medical hoax and vaccine industry funding scam
(NaturalNews) Think the Zika virus is responsible for all the
cases of microcephaly in South America? Think again: There is no
reliable scientific evidence linking the two. Here are the top
10 reasons why the Zika virus fear mongering is a total scam…
#1) The microcephaly cases (shrunken heads) in Brazil were
caused by larvicide chemicals, not by zika. #2) Even according
to the CDC, which is aggressively pushing false Zika fear,
nearly all Zika infections are harmless, symptomless and require
no hospitalization whatsoever. #3) The CDC fabricated the
science linking Zika to microcephaly. #4) Zika virus fear was
just used by Congress to remove bans on other toxic pesticide
chemicals that cause cancer and Alzheimer's disease. The House
of Representatives voted Tuesday to loosen already weak
pesticide regulations in a purported effort to combat the spread
of the Zika virus. The latest version of the bill is called the
Zika Control Act. #5) Zika virus hype was also invoked by Obama
to funnel another $1.8 billion to the vaccine industry, claiming
anyone who opposed the funding "opposed pregnant women”….
Flu Pandemic Drills for Mass Flu Vaccinations Begin in the U.S.
Targeting Children in Schools
Health Impact News - According to The Daily Reporter out of
Coldwater, Michigan, the local health agency simulated a flu
pandemic using 300 students at Bronson Junior/Senior High
School. Community Health Agency (CHA) Health Officer Rebecca
Burns stated that this drill was the first actual live exercise
[minus the injecting of students] in the past five or six years
according to the article. “I wanted to reach giving 1,000 shots
an hour” explained CHA Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Jim
Cook. CHA Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Jim Cook explained
that the program is part of the requirements the health
department must complete to comply with and test federal
emergency preparedness response requirements, and to qualify for
grants. The drill saw the students herded into the gym,
processed and treated to a simulated administration of a flu
vaccine. Meanwhile, two months earlier, Valley View Medical
Center in Cedar City, Utah was also busy executing one of the
largest full-scale flu pandemic disaster drill scenarios ever
performed in Southern Utah. According to the local St. George
News outlet, the drill included amateur radio operators, all
dispatch centers, law enforcement, Community Emergency Response
Teams, ambulance partners and medical staff from all six
hospitals throughout the five-county region.
Nanoparticles in Infant Formula: Untested and Unlabeled
Cornucopia - A recent Friends of the Earth report has found
nanoparticles in common powdered infant formulas sold in the
U.S. The FDA does not require manufacturers to denote
ingredients as nano-sized, and little research has been done on
the effects of ingesting these tiny and incredibly mobile
particles. Organic formulas, to date, do not contain nano-particles,
but may contain a host of other troubling ingredients, including
carrageenan, palm oil, and DHA. Cornucopia cannot recommend any
specific formula at this time. Please contact formula companies
to demand transparency on nanoparticles and better ingredients
in all infant formula.
Don’t Have a Sauna? Try a Ginger Bath
Healthy Home Economist - Ginger is so very powerful when used in
a cleansing bath because it opens up the pores, increases the
speed of blood circulation, and encourages sweating. Sweating is
one of the most important ways the body eliminates toxins and
other impurities via the skin, the body’s largest organ…. To
prepare a basic ginger bath, fill a standard sized bathtub with
hot or lukewarm water…. Once the tub is filled, add 1/2 cup (8
tablespoons) of freshly grated ginger, preferably organic. If
using ginger powder, measure out 1-2 rounded teaspoons and add
to the bath stirring in with your hand…. Soak in your ginger
bath for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with cool water and towel
dry. You may wish to stay in your robe for a few minutes
afterward until the sweating effect ceases. Be sure to drink
plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration…. If you are currently
taking any anti-coagulant or blood thinner medications such as
coumadin, consult your doctor before using ginger as an herbal
remedy either internally or externally. Ginger is
contraindicated for people with gallstones because it increases
bile flow. Other contraindications include diabetes, blood
clotting disorders or bleeding disorders.
Watch Out for This Obscure Seasonal Freeloader
Dr. Becker - Lungworms are parasites that have the ability to infect the
respiratory tracts — the lungs and windpipes (tracheas) of dogs and
cats…. Pets who roam freely outdoors in certain geographic locations in
North America and elsewhere are at highest risk of acquiring lungworm
disease…. Infection typically happens when a dog or cat is exposed to a
host animal that carries the parasite, so pets who hunt and eat prey
outdoors are at risk, as well as those who drink from ponds or free
standing water that may contain the larval stage of the worm. Once
ingested, the worm larvae travel out of the intestines via the
bloodstream and then to the lungs, where they grow into adult worms and
lay eggs…. Symptoms of a lungworm infection depend on the specific type
of parasite your pet has been exposed to, how long he or she has been
infected, the severity of the infection, and your pet’s immune system
response to the presence of the parasites. Pets with mild infections
often have no symptoms, or they may experience some mild coughing,
lethargy, exercise intolerance, or weight loss.
Friday - June
3, 2016 - Today in History:
1784 - The U.S. Congress formally created the United
States Army to replace the disbanded Continental
Army. On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental
Congress had created the Continental Army for
purposes of common defense and this event is
considered to be the birth of the United States
Army.
1800 - John Adams moved to Washington, DC. He was
the first President to live in what later became the
capital of the United States.
1805 - A peace treaty between the U.S. and Tripoli
was completed in the captain's cabin on board the
USS Constitution.
1918 - The Finnish Parliament ratified its treaty
with Germany.
1923 - In Italy, Benito Mussolini granted women the
right to vote.
1932 - Lou Gehrig set a major league baseball record
when he hit four consecutive home runs.
1952 - A rebellion by North Korean prisoners in the
Koje prison camp in South Korea was put down by
American troops.
1959 - The first class graduated from the Air Force
Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.
1965 - Edward White became the first American
astronaut to do a "space walk" when he left the
Gemini 4 capsule.
1989 - Chinese army troops positioned themselves to
began a sweep of Beijing to crush student-led
pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square.
2008 - Barack Obama clinched the Democratic
presidential nomination.
2009 - New Hampshire became the sixth state to
legalize same-sex marriage.
2011 - Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh was
wounded when rebel rockets barraged his palace; he
later went to Saudi Arabia for treatment.
2011 - Physician-assisted suicide advocate Dr. Jack
Kevorkian died at a Michigan hospital at age 83.
Russia Points to Rise in Trucks Heading From Turkish Border to
Syria
Sputnik - "In the past 72 hours, the flow of trucks from the
Turkish-Syrian border to the A’zaz settlement in the Aleppo
province, as well as to… the Dar-Taaza settlement in Idlib
province, where, according to locals’ statements, militants have
been arriving in the last few days, has significantly
increased," the Thursday statement says…. Both Moscow and
Damascus have accused Turkey of sponsoring terrorism inside of
Syria. In December 2015, Russia presented evidence of Islamic
State (IS, also known as Daesh) smuggling oil across the Turkish
border. Overall, the cessation of hostilities regime in Syria
has been violated three times in the past 24 hours, according to
the Russian military. The violations were registered in Syria’s
Damascus province.
3 US B-52 heavy bombers fly to Europe for joint NATO Baltic
military drills
RT - Three B-52 Stratofortress long-range bombers will take part
in NATO’s maritime exercises that are set to take place across
the Baltic from June 3 to June 19. The B-52s will be sent to the
UK’s RAF Fainford station to “train and integrate” with US
allies. US Strategic Command announced on Wednesday that the
aircraft would depart from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota
on Thursday for the third year in a row to participate in
BALTOPS (Baltic Operations) annual exercises. The US-led drills,
which were first held in 1971, will see about 6,100 maritime,
air force and ground troops from 15 NATO member states, as well
as Sweden and Finland, engaging in various types of maritime
operations focused on defending the Baltic region from potential
threats. “Integrating strategic bombers with multi-national
operations in a variety of scenarios enhances the readiness and
capability of US and NATO military forces, which is vital to
global security,” Adm. Cecil D. Haney, U.S. Strategic Command
commander, said a statement Thursday.
Syrian ‘Refugees’ Caught Plotting Massive Terror Attack in
Germany
Paul Joseph Watson - “German federal prosecutors confirmed that
three Syrian nationals had been arrested and their homes
searched: 25-year-old Mahood B., 27-year-old Hamza C. and
31-year-old Abd Arahman A.K. A further warrant was issued for a
25-year-old Syrian, Saleh A., currently under arrest in France,”
reports the Local. The four men planned to besiege the historic
city center of Düsseldorf by launching a Paris-style massacre
involving suicide bombs targeting Heinrich-Heine-Allee, “a broad
street with a number of public transport links including U-Bahn
and tram stations,” followed by machine gun attacks on citizens.
Two of the men, Saleh A. and Hamza C., received their orders
from ISIS to carry out the plot shortly before arriving in
Turkey from Syria in 2014. They then waited to take advantage of
the migrant wave pouring into Europe, entering Germany via the
Balkans in 2015, where they met explosives expert Arahman, who
was sent to Germany in 2014 by ISIS after building explosives
for the Syrian terrorist organization Jabhat al-Nusra. The plot
was discovered when Saleh A. gave himself up to French security
authorities, who then informed Germany of the attack plan.
Greece spends all money received from EU to handle migrant
crisis – official
RT - Finances received by Athens from the EU as part of a
bailout program are of hardly any help to Greece, the country’s
deputy foreign minister told RT. The official claimed that all
of the money goes to tackle what he described as “humanitarian
disaster.”… Despite more than a million people arriving in
Greece over past year, its government has managed to handle the
migrant situation and “put it under control.” The Mediterranean
country is now relying on “long term cooperation” with the EU
that will help the continent overcome its “humanitarian
disaster,” the official said in an exclusive interview. To
ensure geopolitical balance in the region, Greece needs money –
which it sometimes does not receive as promised, the diplomat
said. “We have been promised money which we are currently
waiting for. The help didn’t come on time,” Xydakis said, adding
that when Athens does receive the funds, they will be used to
deal with the migrant crisis “in the first place.”
France hit by power cuts, strikes & clashes with police as labor
law protests deepen (Photos, Video)
RT - Households and businesses throughout France have been left
without power as part of a strike by union workers against the
country's controversial labor reform. It comes as demonstrators
hit the streets to voice their opposition to the legislation.
Power cuts in Saint-Nazaire led to some 120,000 households being
left without electricity just after 11am local time on Thursday,
BFM TV cited Loire-Atlantique prefecture as saying…. It comes
after members of the CGT union at 16 of France's 19 nuclear
plants – which provide the majority of the country's electricity
– voted for a one-day strike Wednesday. Almost half the
country's rail services were also brought to a halt on Thursday.
The CGT said its workers briefly halted departures from the Gare
de Lyon station in Paris by occupying the rail traffic control
office.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
The new leader of the Army, never served in the military
CNN - President Barack Obama on Friday nominated Eric K. Fanning
to be secretary of the Army, which could make him the first
openly gay secretary of a U.S. military branch. The U.S. Senate
must confirm Fanning before he can lead the Army. … This
historic move is one of many steps the Obama administration has
taken to advance the rights of the LGBT community in the armed
forces. In 2010, the President signed a law ending the "Don't
Ask, Don't Tell" policy that prohibited gays and lesbians from
serving openly in the military, and earlier this year, the
President moved to allow those who identify as transgender to
openly serve as well. Fanning has served as acting under
secretary of the Army since June, and before that, served as
chief of staff to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. Fanning also
served as under secretary of the Air Force and deputy
undersecretary of the Navy.
Two jets from elite U.S. military squadrons crash, one pilot
dead
Reuters - Two fighter jets from elite U.S. military
demonstration squadrons crashed in separate incidents on
Thursday, including one that had just done a flyover of the Air
Force Academy graduation in Colorado where President Barack
Obama had spoken. In Tennessee, a pilot from the Navy's Blue
Angels squadron was killed when his F/A-18 jet crashed in
Smyrna, about 24 miles (39 km) southeast of Nashville, a Navy
spokeswoman said. The crash occurred about 2 miles (3 km) from
an airport runway while the Blue Angels were practicing for a
weekend air show, the Navy said, adding that the cause of the
crash was being investigated. The pilot's name was not made
public. In Colorado, a pilot with the Air Force's Thunderbirds
squadron was unhurt when his F-16 jet crashed in a field 5 miles
(8 km) south of Peterson Air Force Base, the Air Force said.
Barack Obama Warns Americans ‘To Be Prepared For A Disaster’
Economic Collapse - When Barack Obama speaks to the public, it
is very rare that he does so without a specific purpose in mind.
So why is he urging Americans “to be prepared for a disaster”
all of a sudden? On May 31, Obama took time out of his extremely
busy schedule to deliver an address at the FEMA National
Response Coordination Center in Washington. During his speech,
he stressed that every American is responsible for preparing for
disasters, and that includes “having an evacuation plan” and
“having a fully stocked disaster supply kit”.… This speech was
timed to coincide with the beginning of the hurricane season,
although hurricanes have not posed much of a threat lately…. It
is interesting to note that during his speech Barack Obama also
noted that the American people seem to have become very
complacent about getting prepared… One more thing that I found
particularly noteworthy about Obama’s speech was that he said
that there is now “a FEMA app” that can direct you to the
nearest “FEMA shelter” in the event of a major emergency.
Smuggling network guided illegals from Middle East terror
hotbeds to U.S. border
Washington Times - A smuggling network has managed to sneak
illegal immigrants from Middle East terrorism hotbeds straight
to the doorstep of the U.S., including helping one Afghan man
authorities say was part of an attack plot in North America.
Immigration officials have identified at least a dozen Middle
Eastern men smuggled into the Western Hemisphere by a
Brazilian-based network that connected them with Mexicans who
guided them up to the U.S. border, according to internal
government documents reviewed by The Washington Times. Those
smuggled included Palestinians, Pakistanis and the Afghan man
who Homeland Security officials said had family ties to the
Taliban and was “involved in a plot to conduct an attack in the
U.S. and/or Canada.” He is in custody but the Times is
withholding his name at the request of law enforcement to
protect ongoing investigations.
Connecticut Law Will Allow Guns to Be Confiscated After
Temporary Restraining Order
Free Beacon - Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy signed the bill into
law this week. The legislation was brought forward after an
Oxford, Connecticut resident, Lori Jackson Gellatly, was shot
and killed by her estranged husband. Gellatly had filed a
temporary restraining order but was killed while awaiting a
court hearing for a permanent restraining order. Her family went
to the Connecticut capital over Memorial Day weekend to push for
the gun law. Advocates for domestic violence victims say the law
is needed to protect those in vulnerable and possibly
life-threatening situations. “This is really good policy,” said
Karen Jarmoc, president and CEO of the Connecticut Coalition
Against Domestic Violence. Jarmoc, an adviser on the
legislation, said it has been proven that a “mixture between
domestic policy and firearms could be dangerous and lethal
sometimes.”… Gun rights advocates stated the law will deny gun
owners due process and may actually leave victims without the
ability to defend themselves.
Catholic Church spent $2M on major N.Y. lobbying firms to block
child-sex law reform
NY Daily news - Not leaving it to divine chance, the state
Catholic Conference has turned in recent years to some of
Albany’s most well-connected and influential lobby firms to help
block a bill that would make it easier for child sex abuse
victims to seek justice. The Catholic Conference, headed by
Timothy Cardinal Dolan, has used Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman
& Dicker, Patricia Lynch & Associates, Hank Sheinkopf, and Mark
Behan Communications to lobby against the Child Victims Act as
well as for or against other measures. All told, the conference
spent more than $2.1 million on lobbying from 2007 through the
end of 2015, state records show. That does not include the
conference’s own internal lobbying team. Filings show the
lobbyists were retained, in part, to work on issues associated
with “statute of limitations” and “timelines for commencing
certain civil actions related to sex offenses.” … The Catholic
Conference has argued that opening a one-year window to revive
old cases could ultimately bankrupt the Church.
John Kerry Slams Trump, Says Foreign Policy is not a “Business
Deal”
Kurt Nimmo - Obama’s secretary of state John Kerry criticized
Donald Trump during an interview with MSNBC. Asked about Trump’s
belief shaking up world leaders is a good thing, Kerry said
“we’re not doing a Trump hotel business deal, these are dealings
between nations, based upon precedent, based on understanding,
based on trust from one administration to another.” In other
words, according to Kerry, the disastrous foreign policy of the
United States must stay its present course…. Kerry’s “Plan B”
called for a proposed “safe zone” in Syria that he said would
require between 15,000 and 30,000 US troops. “Our Pentagon
estimates that to have a true safe zone in the north of the
country you may have upwards of fifteen to thirty thousand
troops. Now are we ready to authorize that? Are we ready to put
them on the ground?” Kerry said during a hearing before the
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Trump may be in favor of
this as well. “What I like is build a safe zone in Syria. Build
a big, beautiful safe zone, and you have whatever it is so
people can live, and they’ll be happier,” Trump said during a
rally held in Knoxville, Tennessee in November.
Paul Ryan endorses, will vote for Trump
USA Today - After a month of meetings and phone conversations,
House Speaker Paul Ryan went to his hometown newspaper to
declare what many saw was inevitable. Ryan endorsed presumptive
Republican nominee Donald Trump on Thursday, saying he would
vote for the New York mogul in the fall. "It's no secret that he
and I have our differences," Ryan wrote in an opinion piece
submitted to the Janesville Gazette. "I won't pretend otherwise.
And when I feel the need to, I'll continue to speak my mind. But
the reality is, on the issues that make up our agenda, we have
more common ground than disagreement."
California Shock Poll: Sanders Takes Lead Over Hillary...
LA Times - Hillary Clinton’s popularity has slumped in
California under an unrelenting challenge from Bernie Sanders,
who has succeeded in breaching the demographic wall Clinton had
counted on to protect her in the state’s presidential primary, a
new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll has found…. The Vermont
senator has battled Clinton to a draw among all voters eligible
for the Democratic primary, with 44% siding with him to 43% for
Clinton. That represented a nine-point swing from a USC/Los
Angeles Times poll in March, in which Clinton led handily.
No tennis balls! Cleveland’s pre-convention ban doesn’t include
guns (Video)
RT - Republicans will gather at the Quicken Loans Arena in
downtown Cleveland, Ohio between July 18 and July 21 to
officially select their ticket for the presidential election in
November. With billionaire businessman Donald Trump securing the
necessary 1,237 delegates to win the nomination on the first
ballot, it does not look like the convention will be contested.
City authorities have moved to ensure that things remain quiet
outside the arena. Any “instrumentality used to cause property
or personal damage” will be off-limits during the convention,
according to regulations published by Cleveland on May 25. The
15-page document also bans swords, daggers, axes, shovels,
drones, pepper spray, metal-tip umbrellas, glass bottles and
“any other frangible container,” water guns and paintball guns,
to name just a few. Also banned are “grappling hooks,
sledgehammers, hammers, and crowbars,” as well as coolers and
camping equipment, locks and gas masks – and tennis balls, for
some reason. Firearms are not included in the ban [due to Ohio’s
open-carry laws], however.
Texas floodwaters claims 5 soldiers' lives at Fort Hood
Reuters - A U.S. Army truck overturned in a rain-swollen creek
at Fort Hood on Thursday, killing three soldiers and leaving six
missing as storms dumped more rain on flood-hit parts of Texas
on Thursday…. The U.S. Army said the truck overturned at Fort
Hood's Owl Creek low-water crossing, and three bodies were
recovered downstream. A search was being conducted for six
soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division, it said in a statement.
Fort Hood is about 70 miles (110 km) north of Austin. Three
soldiers were rescued from the water and were in stable
condition at a hospital, the statement said. The National
Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of east
Texas and Louisiana…. Thousands of people have evacuated their
homes in low-lying areas, rivers have swelled to levels not seen
in more than 100 years and emergency workers have completed
hundreds of high-water rescues.
These 33 Cities Cheated on Lead Contamination Tests, Similar to Flint,
Michigan
EcoWatch - The cities span 17 states east of the Mississippi River.
Eastern states were targeted in the investigation because they are most
at risk for lead contamination due to aging infrastructure. A total of
43 cities supplied The Guardian with water testing samples and data. The
three “cheats” used by cities include: running the faucet for a while
before collecting a sample to flush out the system; removing aerators
from faucets before collecting a sample; and running the water slowly.
Most of the 33 cities only used one or two of the cheats, but six used
all three: Springfield, Massachusetts; Lewiston, Maine; Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania; Buffalo, New York; Chicago, Illinois; and Sebring, Ohio….
Not only does this raise concern for those cities, but surrounding towns
as well… Several big cities sell water to almost “400 adjacent cities
and towns.”
Doctors Respond To Patients’ Negative Yelp Reviews by Posting
Rebuttals that Violate Patient Privacy
AllGov -Burned by negative reviews, some health providers are
casting their patients’ privacy aside and sharing intimate
details online as they try to rebut criticism. In the course of
these arguments — which have spilled out publicly on ratings
sites like Yelp — doctors, dentists, chiropractors and massage
therapists, among others, have divulged details of patients’
diagnoses, treatments and idiosyncrasies…. Health professionals
are adapting to a harsh reality in which consumers rate them on
sites like Yelp, Vitals and RateMDs much as they do restaurants,
hotels and spas. The vast majority of reviews are positive. But
in trying to respond to negative ones, some providers appear to
be violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act, the federal patient privacy law known as HIPAA. The law
forbids them from disclosing any patient health information
without permission…. The patients affected say they’ve been
doubly injured — first by poor service or care and then by the
disclosure of information they considered private.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
Homemade Mosquito Trap- Catch 100’s of Mosquitoes Every Night
Natural News Blogs - You can easily reduce the number of
mosquitoes on your property with a plastic bottle trap that will
attract and kill the mosquitoes…. All natural mosquito repellent
are dependable as long as they are free from any chemical
ingredient. One such way is by using general household tools and
ingredients. Items needed: -1 cup of water -1/4 cup of brown
sugar -1 gram of yeast -1 2-liter bottle… Mosquitos are highly
attracted to carbon dioxide (CO2). Mosquitoes follow vapor
trails of CO2, knowing that a fresh meal of warm blood is at the
other end. The key to this method is the mixture of the sugar,
water, and yeast. When you mix these three ingredients together,
CO2 is created. As a dense volume of CO2 is created within the
2-liter bottle, this attracts the mosquitoes. Once inside the
trap and unable to find a tasty meal, the mosquitoes look for
the exit and fly up along the insides of the bottle. With their
escape route blocked, the bugs eventually tire out and fall to
the bottom of the trap to die. Another thing that attracts the
mosquitoes is the color black.
Former FDA Commissioner Exposed, Don't Trust This Antibiotic
Dr. Mercola - The recent federal lawsuit filed against former
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Margaret
Hamburg again highlights industry influence at the highest
government levels. Hamburg, her husband, Peter Brown, and
Johnson & Johnson are charged with conspiracy, racketeering and
colluding to conceal the dangers of the antibiotic Levaquin,
made by Johnson & Johnson. The suit was filed by Larry Klayman,
a former federal prosecutor, who claims the parties concealed
the drug's dangers for financial gain. Peter Brown is an
executive in the hedge fund Renaissance Technologies, which held
hundreds of millions of dollars of Johnson & Johnson stock. Many
safety questions arose after Levaquin's 1996 approval, including
the drug's role in tendon ruptures (like its fluoroquinoline
cousin Cipro), possible cell damage, links to neurodegenerative
diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's, and
permanent peripheral nerve damage. Only after Hamburg left the
FDA did the agency put clearer warnings on Levaquin's label says
the complaint.
Chronic Stress Causes these 4 SERIOUS Health Issues!
David Wolfe - Chronic stress causes excess stress hormones to be
released, including cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine.
With these excess hormones flowing through the body, your stress
response becomes imbalanced, unable to shut off…. Stress
triggers inflammation in the body, leading to high blood
pressure and a lower resistance to illness…. Your body begins to
heal more slowly, your sleeping pattern is disturbed, your skin
begins reacting negatively and you start to feel completely
overwhelmed emotionally and physically…. 1. Stress Increases
Heart Attack Risk… Researchers believe these hormones can cause
the dispersal of bacterial biofilms from the walls of the
arteries, allowing plaque deposits to suddenly break loose,
triggering a heart attack. 2. Stress is Linked to Diabetes… 3.
Stress Can Lead to Memory Disorders… Prolonged stress can cause
damage to brain cells, causing your memory to suffer. 4. Stress
Can Cause Stomach Disorders… Stress has been shown to cause a
number of detrimental problems in the gut, including decreased
nutrient absorption, decreased oxygenation to your gut, and as
much as four times less blood flow to the digestive system,
which leads to decreased metabolism. Stress can trigger
full-blown gut disease.
10 Disturbing Reasons Why You Should NEVER Drink Soy Milk!
David Wolfe - Soy milk has been a topic of controversy for
years, but there is a significant amount of evidence that proves
it can have harmful affects on the body. 1. Soybeans contain
large quantities of natural toxins that affect estrogen levels.
Drinking just two glasses of soy milk a day can significantly
alter the hormones in a woman’s body, disrupting the menstrual
cycle. 2. Soybeans contain haemagglutinin, a clot-promoting
substance that causes red blood cells to clump together. 3.
About 99% of soy is genetically modified. It contains one of the
highest pesticide contamination levels. 4. Soybeans and soy
products contain high levels of phytic acid, which inhibits the
assimilation of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. 5.
Soy foods contain high levels of aluminum, which is toxic to the
body. It negatively affects the nervous system and the kidneys,
and it’s been linked to Alzheimer’s disease, 6. Fragile soy
proteins are exposed to high temperatures during processing to
make soy protein isolate and textured vegetable protein. This
makes them dangerous for human digestion. 7. Soy contains toxic
isoflavones – genistein and daidzein. They can stimulate the
growth of existing breast cancer….
30 Things You’ll Regret When You’re Older
David Wolfe - We’d all like to live life with no regrets, and
some have truly mastered that mantra. But for most, certain
people and experiences slip through our fingers from time to
time, and we’re left wondering “what if?” If you often find
yourself in situations where you’re wondering if you should go
for it or hold back, these 30 things you’re bound to regret
might help you decide. 1. Being afraid of change - Change can be
scary, but don’t let that stop you. Moving, traveling, ending a
bad relationship, taking a new job… putting your fear aside to
take these big steps in life can lead you to greater
opportunities. 2. Not learning another language - There are so
many different cultures, countries, customs and languages to
explore. Learning another language won’t just be fun, it’ll
expand your knowledge and give your resume a boost! 3. Staying
in a bad relationship - Spending months or years in a bad
relationship is a complete waste of time. Once you get out,
you’ll only wish you had made the break sooner. 5. Not traveling
when you had the chance - You might think, “I’ll travel in a few
years when I have the time/money,” but the truth is, the older
you get the harder it is to drop everything and travel. There’s
no time like the present….
The
Surprising Truth About Levaquin for Dogs
Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research - If you have a furbaby who is sick
and your doctor is telling you that he needs antibiotics, you should
rightly be concerned about Levaquin for Dogs. But all of the
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics should concern you, as they can all hurt
your loved ones, whether they are human or animal…. In humans as well as
in dogs, connective tissue damage, termed Quinolone Arthropathy as it’s
technical name, is a serious problem…. In dog studies, these drugs cause
serious damage to the joints, making dogs lame after as few as two
doses, severely damaging the cartilage, almost certainly irreversibly.
Even cats are not left unscathed, they are just effected differently and
can end up with retinal deterioration, often causing blindness…. It just
so happens that the Fluoroquinolones actually can bind with and remove
magnesium from the body, and one way in which they cause damage in cells
is by removing magnesium, weakening connective tissue cells…. Levaquin
for Dogs is not something that one should take lightly, and everyone
should always consider all of the other options.
* Related:
List of Quinolones and Fluoroquinolone Drugs
Video: Animals scramble to escape Texas flooding
AccuWeather - This footage from Simonton, Texas, shows animals
scrambling to get to higher ground as the Brazos River continues to
overflow.
Thursday - June
2, 2016 - Today in History:
1774 - The Quartering Act, which required American colonists to allow
British soldiers into their houses, was reenacted.
1835 - P.T. Barnum launched his 1st traveling show. The main attraction
was Joice Heth. He was reputed to be the 161-year-old nurse of George
Washington.
1851 - Maine became the first U.S. state to enact a law prohibiting
alcohol.
1883 - The first baseball game under electric lights was played in Fort
Wayne, Indiana.
1886 - Grover Cleveland became the second U.S. president to get married
while in office. He was the first to have a wedding in the White House.
1924 - All American Indians were granted U.S. citizenship by the U.S.
Congress.
1933 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt accepted the first swimming
pool to be built inside the White House.
1954 - U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy charged that there were communists
working in the CIA and atomic weapons plants.
1957 - Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev was interviewed by CBS-TV.
1966 - Surveyor 1, the U.S. space probe, landed on the moon and started
sending photographs back to Earth of the Moon's surface. It was the
first soft landing on the Moon.
1969 - Australian aircraft carrier Melbourne sliced the destroyer USS
Frank E. Evans in half off the shore of South Vietnam.
1979 - Pope John Paul II arrived in his native Poland on the first visit
by a pope to a Communist country.
1995 - Captain Scott F. O'Grady's U.S. Air Force F-16C was shot down by
Bosnian Serbs. He was rescued six days later.
1998 - Royal Caribbean Cruises agreed to pay $9 million to settle
charges of dumping waste at sea.
2003 - William Baily was reunited with two paintings he had left on a
subway platform. One of the works was an original Picasso rendering of
two male figures and a recreation of Picasso's "Guernica" by Sophie
Matisse. Sophie Matisse was the great-granddaughter of Henri Matisse.
US ‘provocations’ may force China to declare air defense zone in
S. China Sea – report
RT - Beijing is reportedly planning to launch an air defense
identification zone (ADIZ) in the South China Sea, the timing of
which will depend on US “provocations.” Billions of dollars of
trade passes annually through the area, which is subject to
rival claims. A source close to China’s People’s Liberation Army
(PLA) told the South China Morning Post daily that security
conditions in the region, namely the US military presence, would
define the timing of the ADIZ declaration…. The country's
Defense Ministry told the South China Morning Post in a written
statement that it was “the right of a sovereign state” to
designate an ADIZ…. Beijing has called the US involvement in the
dispute the “greatest” threat to the region.
Russia and Saudi Arabia dump $50bn in US assets
RT - Investors from Russia and Saudi Arabia have cut their
combined holdings of US securities by more than $50 billion
between mid 2014 and 2015, reports the Financial Times. Over the
period, Saudi Arabia reduced its holdings by $26 billion,
according to an annual US Treasury survey published earlier this
week. The Treasury recently unveiled the scale of Saudi buying
of US government debt that had dropped by $3 billion to about
$116 billion from February to March. Russian investment in US
holdings has more than halved since the 2008 financial crisis to
roughly $73 billion by the end of last June.. After crude prices
plunged in January to $28 per barrel from $110 in June 2014, the
governments of both countries had to search for alternative
funding sources to balance their budgets. Although prices have
stabilized close to $50 per barrel, Moscow and Riyadh are still
facing deficits.
Half of Germans Open to EU Exit, 2/3 for Ousting Merkel
Sputnik News - German voters believe Chancellor Angela Merkel
overcommitted national resources for the refugee crisis and are
increasingly frustrated with bailing out the continued economic
struggles of other EU member-states. Just under a third of
Germans answering a questionnaire call for their country to
abandon the European Union, according to a YouGov poll released
Wednesday, signaling a growing discontent within the bloc’s
largest member-state. A majority of Germans have traditionally
been fervent supporters of the EU, compared to other countries
in the economic alliance.
Paris bans pre-1997 cars from its streets during the week
Ars Technica - Parisians with cars built before 1997 are going
to need to head to the nearest car dealership if they want to
keep driving in the city after July 1. The French capital has
experienced quite horrific air pollution in the last few years,
and there was a massive spike in March 2015 that saw the city's
air quality drop lower than that of Beijing, China. After trying
out temporary restrictions to vehicle traffic, Les Echos reports
that the city has decided to implement new rules that will ban
older and more polluting vehicles from its streets on weekdays.
Those restrictions will also tighten over time; in 2020, only
cars built since 2011 will be allowed…. Pre-2000 motorbikes and
other two-wheeled vehicles are also on the hit list. Parisian
drivers will need to register and get a window sticker. If
you're caught in the city during the week with one of the banned
cars, expect a fine of between $39 and $504… It’s estimated that
about 30,000 diesel and gasoline cars will be affected by the
new rules.
European Commission Seeks Temporary Approval for Glyphosate
Sustainable Pulse - The European Commission is seeking political
backing to allow unrestricted use of controversial weedkiller
glyphosate by labeling the decision as temporary, warned
Greenpeace. The Commission has scheduled a vote on an
“extension” of the glyphosate licence for Monday 6 June. The
Commission’s plan ignores scientific evidence that glyphosate is
a probable cause of cancer and fails to limit human exposure to
the herbicide, said Greenpeace.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Clinton's IT aide to plead the Fifth in email lawsuit
Reuters - The man believed to have set up and maintained Hillary
Clinton's private email server will assert his Fifth Amendment
rights against self-incrimination and refuse to answer questions
as part of an open records lawsuit against the State Department,
the Hill newspaper reported on Wednesday. Bryan Pagliano will
decline to answer questions from Judicial Watch, the
conservative legal watchdog group, during a deposition scheduled
for Monday, his lawyers wrote in a court filing on Wednesday
afternoon, according to The Hill.
Pentagon: Special Ops Killing Of Pregnant Afghan Women Was
“Appropriate” Use Of Force
The Intercept - An internal Defense Department investigation
into one of the most notorious night raids conducted by special
operations forces in Afghanistan — in which seven civilians were
killed, including two pregnant women — determined that all the
U.S. soldiers involved had followed the rules of engagement. As
a result, the soldiers faced no disciplinary measures, according
to hundreds of pages of Defense Department documents obtained by
The Intercept through the Freedom of Information Act. In the
aftermath of the raid, Adm. William McRaven, at the time the
commander of the elite Joint Special Operations Command, took
responsibility for the operation.
9/11 Trial Defense Team Accuses Government of Scrambling and
Redacting Documents to Impede Its Work
AllGov - Kicking off pretrial proceedings Monday, Ammar al
Baluchi's attorney Col. James Connell accused the government of
scrambling discovery productions to make it harder on his team
to match up documents. Al Baluchi, who is also known as Ali abd
al Aziz Ali, is accused of helping to finance the 9/11 attacks
and arranging travel to the United States for some of the
hijackers. He, along with alleged plot mastermind Khalid Shaikh
Mohammad and three other alleged co-conspirators, faces the
death penalty if convicted…. Al Baluchi's defense team says the
government has improperly redacted hundreds of documents,
depriving it of hundreds of thousands of pieces of information
that could potentially be valuable to his defense…. Since the
government has blacked out serial numbers of documents in al
Baluchi's case, as well as names and numbers of potential
witnesses, the defense claims it has been prevented from
compiling information that could help their case…. In at least
five cases, an entire page was totally covered in black ink to
hide its contents, Connell said.
UCLA Shooting: Another Gun Free Zone
Paul Joseph Watson - At least two people were killed during a
shooting on UCLA campus today in yet another victim disarmament
gun free zone. “A UCLA police spokesperson said officers
responded to an engineering lab and asked students to go to a
secure location after the campus-wide alert system issued a
notification,” reports NBC News. At time of press, the gunman is
still on the loose and has not been apprehended. According to
California state law, gun ownership is strictly regulated on the
campus of UCLA. Under Penal Code 626.9 PC, known as California’s
Gun-Free School Zone Act, which was enacted in 1995, students
are prohibited from carrying a gun within 1,000 feet of school
grounds. UCLA’s own campus policy also, “Prohibits the
transportation and possession of firearms and other dangerous
weapons on the grounds of UCLA campus, off-campus buildings
owned or operated by the University, areas adjacent to
University Property or to activities of or programs conducted by
the University, whether on or off University Property.”
Texas Students Not Allowed to Wear Honor Society Ribbon to Avoid
Hurt Feelings
Breitbart - A high school in Plano, Texas, is denying National
Honor Society (NHS) members the right to wear the NHS emblem on
white stoles for graduation.The reason given says one mother –
graduates may not wear any club or organizational regalia, and
they cannot “single out” students. Kelly Ann Frederick says she
was told by a National Honor Society sponsor that school
officials wanted everyone to feel included on graduation day.
She was told that school administrators did not want to single
out any students, reported KVUE ABC. Her son has worked for many
years for the right to be recognized for that honor, but Garrett
Frederick will not be able to wear the NHS stole.
Video: Obama Tries to Trash Donald Trump and Turns into a
Stuttering Mess
The Gateway Pundit - The lame duck president went to Indiana
today to hold a rally and trash-talk Donald Trump.
Unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned…. Barack Obama: If we
turn against each other based on division of race or religion.
If-if-if-if-if-if-if-if-if-if-if we fall for, you know, a bunch
of okie-doke, just because, you know it-it-it. You know,
it-it-it-it-it-it sounds funny or the tweets are provocative….
Someone really needs to check that Teleprompter.
Records: Hillary Clinton Has Only Donated $70,000 To Veterans
Breitbart - The list of donations from the Clintons is not
comprehensive, but is dwarfed by Donald Trump’s release of a
list of 41 groups that identified donations of $5.6 million to
veterans groups. “Find out how much Hillary Clinton’s given to
the veterans,” Trump dared reporters gathered at Trump Tower
yesterday. “Nothing.” According to recent public records of the
Clinton Family Foundation, the family donated $25,000 in 2009,
$20,000 in 2010, $5,000 in 2011, $15,000 in 2012, and in 2014,
they donated $5,000.
Dem Race Tightens in California as Clinton Barely Leads Sanders
49% to 47%: Poll
NBC News - Hillary Clinton is clinging to a narrow two-point
lead over Bernie Sanders in California ahead of the state's June
7 primary, according to results from a new NBC News/Wall Street
Journal/Marist poll. Clinton gets support from 49 percent of
likely Democratic primary voters in the state, while Sanders
gets 47 percent, which is within the survey's statistical margin
of error. And among a wider electorate of all potential
Democratic voters in California, Sanders is actually ahead by
one point, 48 percent to 47 percent. Clinton and Sanders running
even in California wouldn't affect the overall delegate math in
the Democratic race, where Clinton leads Sanders by some 270
pledged delegates and 770 overall delegates. (A tied race would
essentially split the state's 475 pledged delegates right down
the middle under the Democrats' proportional allocation system.)
Promote Work Ethic? Government Tickets Children for Selling
Lemonade
CNS News - Some Louisianan children recently opened a lemonade
stand and were ticketed for operating a business without an
occupational license or paying taxes on their earnings. This not
only highlights the absurdity of criminalizing children who were
too young to obtain an occupational license or to even pay
taxes—but also illustrates how unpredictable enforcement of
arcane criminal laws and regulations are just part of doing
business for many long-time business owners. State legislators
rushed a responsive bill to the governor’s desk to exempt minors
“earning less than $500” a year from the regulatory hurdles.
Because, Sen. Gary Smith asked, “Why would you ticket a child
for an activity that promotes entrepreneurship and a work
ethic?”
Supreme Court Rules 8-0 for Landowners Fighting Clean Water Act
Regulations
Reason.com - In an important victory for property rights nationwide, the
U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-0 on Monday that landowners have the right to
seek judicial review of federal determinations which say that their
properties contain “waters of the United States” subject to stringent
regulations under the Clean Water Act. The case of U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers v. Hawkes Co., Inc. centered on a peat-mining business that
has been prevented from using some of its property because the Army
Corps of Engineers determined that the land in question contained
federally protected wetlands. The Hawkes Co. disagreed with that
determination and set out to challenge it in federal court. But the
federal government maintained that judicial review was not an option for
landowners at this stage under the Clean Water Act. In his opinion,
Chief Justice John Roberts rejected the federal government’s position.
All eight justices concurred in Roberts’ judgment.
Oregon School District Waited 2 Months to Alert Students and Teachers to
Lead-Tainted Drinking Water
AllGov - Portland Public Schools has shut down drinking fountains at all
of its schools and will use bottled water for the remaining school year
after tests at two schools found high levels of lead in water from sinks
and fountains. Oregon's largest school district said in a statement late
Friday that it is working with Multnomah County to provide on-site blood
lead level screening next month for students at Creston and Rose City
Park. Officials plan to test every fountain and faucet in all the
schools this summer…. Earlier Friday, Smith apologized for letting
students and teachers at two schools continue using the drinking sources
after tests showed unsafe levels of lead. When tests came back positive
for lead, officials took steps to repair or replace plumbing, but they
didn't warn people not to drink the water, The Oregonian/Oregon Live
reported.
Are you chucking used batteries in the trash? Are you aware that they
take two million years to decompose?
(NaturalNews) Apple cores, for example, will decompose within a few
weeks. Newspapers, paper bags and paper napkins may be gone after a
month or so, depending on conditions. Cereal boxes, cardboard, banana
peels and milk cartons may take up to several months to decompose.
Cotton clothing can take anywhere from one or two weeks to six months or
more to break down, while light wool can take six months…. Many nylon
items, such as carpeting, clothing and disposable diapers, take around
30 to 40 years to break down – although in certain conditions they may
be around for an estimated 500 years. Tires, tin cans, leather and
styrofoam typically last for 50 years or so, but metallised plastic bags
such as those used for potato chips can last as long as 75 or 80 years….
Those plastic bottles so many of us thoughtlessly use and toss on a
daily basis may last 500 years… Glass bottles and jars will last for
more than one million years… Last on the list – but certainly not least
– are batteries, which contain toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury,
zinc oxide and cadmium that remain in the environment virtually forever.
Cluster of “megabreaches” compromises a whopping 642 million
passwords
Ars Technica - Less than two weeks after more than 177 million
LinkedIn user passwords surfaced, security researchers have
discovered three more breaches involving MySpace, Tumblr, and
dating website Fling that all told bring the total number of
compromised accounts to more than 642 million…. The cluster
involves breaches known to have happened to Fling in 2011, to
LinkedIn in 2012, and to Tumblr 2013…. All four of the password
dumps are being sold on a darkweb forum by peace_of_mind, a user
with 24 positive feedback ratings, two neutral ratings, and zero
negative ratings. That's an indication the unknown person isn't
exaggerating the quality of the data. The megabreach trend is
troubling for at least a couple of reasons. First, it
demonstrates that service providers are either unable to detect
breaches or are willing to keep them secret years after they're
discovered.… Of the four recently discovered breaches, the one
affecting the most number of people is the MySpace hack, which
compromised 360 million accounts.
'Universal cancer vaccine’ breakthrough claimed by scientists
The Independent - Scientists have taken a “very positive step”
towards creating a universal vaccine against cancer that makes
the body’s immune system attack tumours as if they were a virus,
experts have said. Writing in Nature, an international team of
researchers described how they had taken pieces of cancer’s
genetic RNA code, put them into tiny nanoparticles of fat and
then injected the mixture into the bloodstreams of three
patients in the advanced stages of the disease. The patients'
immune systems responded by producing "killer" T-cells designed
to attack cancer. The vaccine was also found to be effective in
fighting “aggressively growing” tumours in mice, according to
researchers, who were led by Professor Ugur Sahin from Johannes
Gutenberg University in Germany. “[Such] vaccines are fast and
inexpensive to produce, and virtually any tumour antigen [a
protein attacked by the immune system] can be encoded by RNA,"
they wrote
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
5 All-Natural Weed Killers, Straight From Your Kitchen (No. 2
Will Kill ANYTHING)
Off the Grid News - Homemade weed killers offer the best
possible alternative to manufactured herbicides. Inexpensive and
made from common household materials, these natural weed killers
can help keep unwanted plants at bay without unnecessary
exposure to harmful chemicals. Let’s look at several: 1. Boiling
water… The hot temperature will scald virtually any plant it
comes in contact with, generally dealing a mortal blow. Although
plants with long taproots may require more than one treatment,
this is an easy and completely natural way to combat pesky
plants…. 2. Salt… While not an ideal solution for gardens and
lawns since it can cause permanent damage to the soil, salt can
be useful for treating pathways, sidewalks and other areas that
are meant to be plant-free. For easy application, dissolve one
part salt in eight parts water and apply to the desired
locations. 3. Vinegar and lemon juice… Vinegar and lemon juice
both contain strong acids and can be combined for a pH-targeting
weed treatment. Simply combine four ounces of lemon juice with
one quart of vinegar and apply directly on the offending
plants.… 4. Pickle juice… Don’t throw away the bottle without
putting the leftover liquid to good use first! Pickle brine is
full of vinegar and salt, making it a natural combination of
these two weed-tackling substances….
North Carolina Files Bill to Place Kratom on Controlled
Substances List
Brandon Turbeville - For those who may be unaware, mitragyna
speciosa (aka Kratom) is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee
family which is native to Southeast Asia. Although not an opiate
itself, Kratom can be used to manage pain and anxiety as well as
alcohol dependence. It is possible to use Kratom recreationally,
but the effects are generally too mild to classify it as
anything resembling a drug. But that’s not stopping Senator Tom
Mcinnis and other members of the North Carolina senate from
attempting to make sure that no one is able to alleviate pain,
addiction or stress or even (gasp!!!!!) entertain themselves
through natural means without permission from government
agencies, drug persecutors and drug pushers (with degrees, of
course). Senator McInnis’ bill SB 830 was filed in the Senate by
McInnis on May 10, 2016. The bill will add Kratom to the list of
controlled substances and appropriate funds for the State Bureau
of Investigation so that the SBI will be able to open another
front in the costly, tragic and counter-productive War on Drugs.
Aspartame is a hidden schedule II narcotic
(NaturalNews) Artificial sweetener aspartame is indeed a
Schedule II narcotic, because the methanol in aspartame affects
dopamine levels in the brain, which can lead to addiction.
Methanol, or wood alcohol, is classified as a severe metabolic
poison…. According to independent researchers and experts,
aspartame can cause a variety of symptoms including, but not
limited to, headaches, memory loss, vision loss, depression,
seizures, coma, cancer and other conditions. It can also mimic
symptoms of diseases like MS, lupus, attention deficit disorder,
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This man-made compound can
also be dangerous if you consume it while taking certain
medications, or if you eat processed foods containing monosodium
glutamate (MSG). It also induces cravings for carbohydrates
which summarily leads to weight gain.
Pain drug triples risk of major birth defects
What Doctors Don't Tell You - The blockbuster drug Lyrica (pregabalin)—which
treats pain, epilepsy and anxiety—trebles the risk of birth
defects if a pregnant woman takes the drug during her first
trimester. Tragically, around 23 per cent of women are
prescribed the drug for the first time only after they become
pregnant, say researchers from the Lausanne University Hospital
in Switzerland. Heart defects and problems with the central
nervous system (CNS) are some of the more common birth defects
that are caused by the drug…. Lyrica has been approved as a
treatment for epilepsy, fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain,
although it is also prescribed ‘off-label’—which means for
conditions for which its efficacy and safety haven’t been
tested—for anxiety and other mental health problems.
E. coli triggers massive recall of General Mills flour; Listeria
fears prompt separate Kashi recall
RT - General Mills, the US food giant, is recalling some 10
million pounds of flour due to possible contamination by a
deadly type of E. coli. In recent months, the bacteria has
sickened nearly 40 people in 20 states, half of whom reported
cooking with flour. The company said it is working with the
health officials that investigated the six-month-long,
multistate foodborne outbreak of Escherichia coli O121, or E.
coli O121. While most strains of E. coli are harmless, this
strain can lead to bloody diarrhea and dehydration, potentially
deadly conditions…. General Mills acknowledged that in some
cases people reported using its flour, but also stressed that,
to date, E. coli O121 has neither been found in its products nor
its flour manufacturing facility. A list of recalled flour
products include Gold Medal, Gold Medal Wondra, and Signature
Kitchens flour, which are sold at Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel,
Shaws, Vons, United, Randalls, and Acme. Meanwhile, the Kashi
Company announced a voluntary recall of some of its snacks on
Tuesday due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination,
which can cause illness and death.
The 21 Best Low-Carb Vegetables
Authority Nutrition - Vegetables are low in calories but rich in
vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients. In addition,
many are low in carbs and high in fiber, making them ideal for
low-carb diets. The definition of a low-carb diet varies widely,
but most are under 150 grams of carbs per day, and some go as
low as 20 grams per day. Whether or not you’re on a low-carb
diet, eating more vegetables is always a great idea. Here is a
list of the 21 best low-carb vegetables to include in your
diet…. 1. Bell peppers are anti-inflammatory and high in
vitamins A and C. They contain 6 grams of digestible (“net”)
carbs per serving.… 2. Broccoli contains 4 grams of digestible
carbs per serving. It’s high in vitamins C and K, may reduce
insulin resistance and help prevent cancer… 3. Asparagus
contains 4 grams of digestible carbs per serving. It’s a good
source of several vitamins and may help protect against certain
types of cancer…. 4. Mushrooms contain 1 gram of digestible
carbs per serving. They can reduce inflammation in people with
metabolic syndrome….
Wednesday - June 1, 2016 - Today in History:
1774 - The British government ordered the Port of Boston closed.
1789 - The first U.S. congressional act on administering oaths became
law.
1792 - Kentucky became the 15th state of the U.S.
1796 - Tennessee became the 16th state of the U.S.
1861 - The first skirmish of the U.S. Civil War took place at the
Fairfax Court House, Virginia.
1869 - Thomas Edison received a patent for his electric voting machine.
1877 - U.S. troops were authorized to pursue bandits into Mexico.
1915 - Germany conducted the first zeppelin air raid over England.
1916 - The National Defense Act increased the strength of the U.S.
National Guard by 450,000 men.
1942 - The U.S. began sending Lend-Lease materials to the Soviet Union.
1943 - During World War II, Germans shot down a civilian flight from
Lisbon to London.
1944 - The French resistance was warned by a coded message from the
British that the D-Day invasion was imminent.
1963 - Governor George Wallace vowed to defy an injunction that ordered
the integration of the University of Alabama.
1978 - The U.S. reported the finding of wiretaps in the American embassy
in Moscow.
1979 - In the U.S., the government-controlled ceiling on oil prices
ends. The control was phased out over 28 months.
1980 - Cable News Network (CNN) made its debut as the first all-news
station.
1998 - In the U.S., the FDA approved a urine-only test for the AIDS
virus.
1998 - A $124 million suit was brought against Goodyear Tire & Rubber
that alleged discrimination towards black workers.
2009 - General Motors filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. The filing made
GM the largest U.S. industrial company to enter bankruptcy protection.
Lavrov: Russia demands that Turkey withdraw its troops from
Iraqi territory
RT - The presence of Turkish armed forces in Iraq without
invitation is unacceptable, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov said in a Tuesday interview, in which he also questioned
why the West has turned a blind eye to Ankara’s violation of
Iraqi sovereignty. Russia’s Western partners and Turkey’s allies
from NATO should pay much greater public attention to Ankara’s
activities in the region, Lavrov noted, adding that currently
NATO’s stance is that Turkey is a member, so they will sort
things out among themselves. “What about Cyprus, which is not a
NATO member and whose airspace is violated by the Turkish Air
Force on a regular basis? And secondly, what kind of a position
is that – if you are a NATO member, you can do whatever you
like? ” the Russian FM asked. In Iraq, Ankara is realizing
Turkey’s “neo-Ottoman aspirations” and pursuing certain economic
goals, Lavrov said. “[The Turks] reckon on getting a foothold
there somehow and waiting for a battle for Mosul to lay claim to
the [oil] fields and wait for a reaction from the international
community,” he added.
US 'working closely' with Russia to find those responsible for
Idlib airstrike
RT - The Department of State did not back the accusations that
Russian jets were responsible for airstrikes that killed at
least 23 people in Syria’s Idlib province, and said the US was
working with Russia to figure out what happened…. Up to 28
people, including seven children, were killed in overnight
airstrikes in Idlib on Monday, according to the London-based
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The SOHR blamed Russia for
the “heaviest bombardment there since a cessation of hostilities
was agreed in February,” according to Reuters, claiming that one
of the bombing sites was next to a hospital. The Russian Defense
Ministry rejected the allegations.
It Is Being Reported That Turkish Military Forces Have Entered
Syria
Economic Collapse - There are international news reports that
claim that Turkish military forces have entered Syrian territory
and have established positions near the towns of Azaz and Afrin.
If these international news reports are true, then Turkey has
essentially declared war on the Assad regime…. So far, it is the
Russian media that it taking the lead in reporting about this
movement of Syrian forces. For example, the Sputnik news agency
was one of the first to report Turkish military activity around
the town of Azaz… In addition, Sputnik claims that Turkish
military forces entered a small village called Hamam near the
town of Afrin on Saturday […] the Azaz corridor is considered to
be extremely important because that is the primary route that
Turkey has been using to resupply jihadist rebels in Aleppo. So
Turkey wants to keep that road open at all costs. Meanwhile, an
Iranian news source is also reporting on this Turkish incursion
into Syria… So far, there has been no confirmation of this
invasion from the mainstream media in the western world.
Swedish Government Kicks Local Family Out of Home, Gives it to
Muslim Migrants
Paul Joseph Watson - A local family in the Swedish city of
Lidingö has been ordered by the government to leave their home
so that it can be given to migrants arriving from a foreign
country. Father of two teenage boys Uffe Rustan received a
voicemail from his local municipality telling him he would need
to vacate the property by August in order to make way for asylum
seekers from the Middle East. “I was evicted from my home over
the phone. When I asked for the reason, he said that people come
from other countries. He left the news and basically just said
have a nice weekend,” Rustan told a newspaper…. Despite
suffering from a housing shortage, Sweden is handing over
property to economic migrants, with some politicians even
encouraging citizens to give up their garages to asylum seekers.
It costs $150 to buy a dozen eggs in Venezuela right now
LA Times - The International Monetary Fund has predicted that
inflation in Venezuela will hit 720% this year. That might be an
optimistic assessment, according to some local economic
analysts, who expect the rate to reach as high as 1,200%. A
sharp drop in global prices for oil -- on which Venezuela
depends for most of its foreign currency -- is a big part of the
problem…. To understand what that kind of inflation means, we
spoke to Maria Linares, a 42-year-old single mother who works as
an accounting assistant at a government ministry and lives in an
impoverished neighborhood of the capital, Caracas. Her monthly
pay, including a food allowance, is 27,000 bolivars. That’s
$2,700 a month at the official exchange rate of 10 bolivars to
the dollar. But Venezuelans have so little faith in their
currency -- or the government's ability to fix the country's
deepening economic crisis -- that a dollar can fetch upward of
1,000 bolivars on the black market. At that rate, Linares earns
just $27 a month. Here is what she spends on some staples: Eggs:
At the Mercal, a dozen eggs cost 450 bolivars in December. The
official price is now 1,020 bolivars. But Linares said she never
finds eggs at the Mercal. So she buys them from street vendors
for around 1,500 bolivars -- a staggering $150 at the official
exchange rate, or about $1.50 at the black market rate.
U.S. News, Politics & Government |
Lawyers for Clinton aide block questioning on IT specialist who
set up server
Fox News - Lawyers for senior Hillary Clinton aide Cheryl Mills,
during a nearly five-hour deposition last week in Washington,
repeatedly objected to questions about IT specialist Bryan
Pagliano’s role in setting up the former secretary of state’s
private server. According to a transcript of the deposition with
watchdog group Judicial Watch released on Tuesday, Mills
attorney Beth Wilkinson – as well as Obama administration
lawyers – objected to the line of questioning about Pagliano,
who has emerged as a central figure in the FBI's ongoing
criminal probe of Clinton's email practices. I'm going to
instruct her not to answer. It's a legal question,” Wilkinson
responded, when asked by Judicial Watch whether Pagliano was an
“agent of the Clintons” when the server was set up. This was a
pattern repeated throughout the deposition by the seven lawyers
for Mills -- including four attorneys representing the State and
Justice departments, as well as her personal representatives.
Asked direct questions about when Mills spoke with Pagliano,
Mills' lawyer also objected.
Arizona Measles Outbreak Linked To Immigrant Shelter: Patients
Exposed Church Assemblies, Graduation, Denny’s, Safeway And
Casino
The Gateway Pundit - Health officials say more measles cases
have been reported in Pinal County stemming from an outbreak
last week at a private detention center in Eloy. This brings the
total number of confirmed cases to 11. Officials say Eloy
Detention Center, which houses undocumented immigrants, has
taken steps to prevent further spread of the highly contagious
disease. Cases of the disease were reported last week in an
inmate and employee at the facility. Health officials have
issued a community-wide health alert for Pinal County as one of
the new cases visited multiple locations in and around Casa
Grande from May 15 through May 22. “It’s extremely important
that people who have a rash and fever call their health care
provider or emergency department ahead of time to let them know
they may have measles,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the
Arizona Department of Health Services. “This will help stop the
spread of measles, especially to those who are more at risk of
developing complications.”
Stunning Hidden Agendas Exposed – Trump University Lawsuit
Brought By Firm Who Paid $675,000 To Bill and Hillary Clinton…
The Last Refuge - Research by Lawnewz has discovered the legal
firm behind the Trump civil action lawsuit paid Bill and Hillary
Clinton massive amounts of money for speeches and advocacy
during and after Hillary Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State:
LawNewz.com discovered that when it comes to politics, Robbins
Gellar Rudman & Dowd, the law firm behind the class action
lawsuit, is not exactly neutral either. Our analysis, using data
compiled by The Washington Post, found that Robbins Gellar
Rudman & Dowd paid the Clintons a total of $675,000 in fees for
speeches since 2009. Hillary Clinton gave a speech for the law
firm as recently as September 4, 2014.
Sessions to GOP: Adapt to Trump or die
Politico - Sessions, a 69-year-old former state attorney general
who famously donned the “Make America Great Again” trucker’s cap
at a massive rally in Mobile last August, thinks Trump is more a
movement than a man. And this sprightly son of country preachers
and teachers is on a mission to evangelize maybe-Trumpers like
House Speaker Paul Ryan on the Gospel According to Donald — with
a sermon on self-preservation. “I think [Ryan] needs to
recognize, on some of these issues, Trump is where the
Republicans are and if you’re going to be a Republican leader
you should be supportive of that,” Sessions told me during a
taping of POLITICO’s “Off Message” podcast in his Senate office
last week. “My advice is to listen and accept the will of the
American people, the Republican voters — the Republican Party is
the Republican voters,” he added — a pointed reference to Ryan’s
suggestion that he, and not the presumptive party nominee,
represents authentic conservative values. “Give me a break! A
lot of our drift within our party has gotten away from [the will
of the voters]. … I think the leaders in all parties tend to
adjust to reality. They just have to or they won’t remain in
office. … Already many are sensing it.”
Trump on Jeff Sessions: ‘Certainly Somebody I Would Consider’
for VP
Breitbart - When asked if Sessions is being considered as
Trump’s vice presidential candidate, Trump responded,
“Certainly, somebody that I would consider.” Trump touted that
Sessions “has never endorsed a presidential candidate before,”
until now, in all the years he has served in the United States
Senate.
Trump Whips Press Over Charitable Donations to Vets (Video)
Adan Salazar - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump
unloaded on the press at a news conference Monday where he
listed the veterans charity groups receiving millions in
donations. Responding to inquiries about where the nearly $6
million he raised in January went, Trump railed against the
negative press he received for his noble deed before outlining
22 veterans groups that have already received money or are
currently being vetted. “The money’s all been sent. I wanted to
keep it private. If we could, I wanted to keep it private.
Because I don’t think it’s anybody’s business if I want to send
money to the vets,” he said from Trump Tower in New York. “But I
have to say this: I raised close to $6 million – it’ll probably
be over that amount, but as of this moment it’s $5.6 million… –
I will say that the press should be ashamed of themselves, and
on behalf of the vets the press should be ashamed of
themselves,” Trump stated. “They are calling me and they are
furious.” “I sent people checks of a lot of money, and instead
of being, ‘Thank you very much Mr Trump…’ I have never received
such bad publicity for doing such a good job.” “…Instead of
being — like, ‘Thank you very much, Mr. Trump,’ or ‘Trump did a
good job,’ everyone is saying, ‘Who got it? Who got it? Who got
it? And you (the press) make me look very bad,” Trump said,
adding that “Zero dollars have been taken out for
administration.” At one point, Trump also referred to an ABC
News reporter as a “sleaze,” accusing him of biased journalism.
Video: Mexican Parents Train 3-Year-Old Girl to Say “We Have to
Kill Donald Trump”
Mark Dice - Shocking video footage shows Mexican immigrant
parents encouraging their 3-year-old daughter to repeatedly say,
“We have to kill Donald Trump.”… Minors mouthing profanities
aimed at Donald Trump are nothing new – many of them have
attended anti-Trump rallies across the country, but to hear the
parents of a 3-year-old girl encouraging violent rhetoric is a
new level of absurdity.
“There Is Something Changing In The Market” – CEO Hints Of
Massive Shortages As Tech Manufacturers Are Now Going Direct To
Mining Companies In Search of Silver
Mac Slavo - Keither Neuemyer, who has been an outspoken critic
of rampant price manipulation on commodity exchanges is the CEO
of First Majestic Silver and the Chairman of precious metals
mineral bank First Mining Finance. His latest revelation
suggests that despite billions of dollars being traded daily on
paper exchanges, physical silver supplies around the world have
tightened to such an extent that manufacturers have been left
with no choice but to come directly to mining companies to
acquire the precious metal for their high-tech products. With
this in mind, and the fact that silver demand today is greater
than when it was trading at nearly $50 in April of 2011, one
can’t help but think that based strictly on the fundamentals we
should see a much higher price in coming months and years….
Despite the supply demand fundamentals clearly indicating prices
should be significantly higher, Neumeyer understands that this
isn’t always the driving force behind market moves. And
fundamentally, Neumeyer doesn’t even consider silver a precious
metal, but rather, a strategic metal that is absolutely
necessary for the modern age and one that is a lot more rare
than most people understand.
A Worrisome Pileup of 100 Million Dollars Homes (The Ultimate
Bubble Is About to Pop)
NY Times - “When you have a record number of homes for sale at a
price point of $100 million or more, that tells you these homes
aren’t selling,” said Jonathan Miller, president of Miller
Samuel Inc., a real estate appraisal and research firm. “It’s
not as deep a market as some might hope.” The last time a sudden
pop in $100 million-plus listings occurred was in 2007 and 2008,
just before the housing crash.
Monsanto Loses Major PCBs Poisoning Lawsuit, Forced to Pay $46 Million
to Victims
Natural Blaze - A jury voting 10-2 in St. Louis found Monsanto, Pfizer,
Solutia, and Pharmacia must pay the plaintiffs and assessed an
additional $29 million in punitive damages against Monsanto for its
continued selling of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, after the
compound had been banned, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Plaintiffs in this case — three of nearly 100 involved in litigation,
some of whom died — said they developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma from
exposure to PCBs…. According to the lawsuit, Monsanto knew about the
dangers of PCBs but continued to sell the product even after the
government ban — while maintaining they were safe to the public.
House Passes Zika Bill That Won’t Fight The Virus But May Put More
Pesticides In Your Water
ThinkProgress - Despite the fact that Congress has yet to pass a
fully-funded Zika emergency bill, the House of Representatives passed
the Zika Vector Control Act Tuesday evening [May 24th], a bill
ostensibly aimed at helping to fight the potential spread of the Zika
virus throughout the United States. But House Democrats and
environmental organizations are crying foul, arguing that the bill uses
the threat of Zika as a cover for rolling back crucial EPA regulations
that protect bodies of water from pesticides…. Opponents of the bill
noted that it would do nothing to help emergency responders have more
flexibility with regard to pesticides and Zika, arguing that vector
control agencies already have the authority to apply pesticides in
emergency situations to prevent the spread of infectious diseases
without the need to apply for a permit.
Amid deadly floods, Texas' Brazos River crests at record 54 feet
CBS News - Residents of some rural southeastern Texas counties were
bracing for more flooding Tuesday along a river that had reached a
record-high crest just two years after it had run dry in places because
of drought. The National Weather Service said the Brazos River crested
at nearly 54 feet Tuesday in Fort Bend County, which is just southwest
of Houston and home to many suburbs. That eclipsed the previous record
by three feet and exceeded levels reached in 1994, when extensive
flooding caused major damage. The Brazos River Authority said every
single one of the 11 reservoirs fed by the swollen river are already 95
to 100 percent full. The only way around some communities near the river
is by boat […] an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain expected later this
week could keep the Brazos in major flood stage into the weekend.
Shock Report: Secret Law Will Give FBI Full Access To Your Email
Without A Warrant: “Massive Expansion of Government Surveillance
Authority”
Mac Slavo - You probably haven’t heard too much about a new law
making its way through the U.S. Senate. The reason, of course,
is because all discussions on this new provision are being
debated in secrecy. Once passed, however, it will open a massive
doorway for the FBI and other domestic law enforcement
organizations to read every single email sent across internet
lines in the continental United States without a warrant or
probable cause. The new “law” is a gross violation of the fourth
Amendment which provides for Americans the right to be secure in
their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizure…. Senator Ron Wyden warns, outside of just
standard emails and encompasses all electronic communication or
activity, then you can be assured that the government is now
legalizing a full surveillance society, meaning that not just
your text messages and emails will be monitored, but even the
conversations you have in the privacy of your own home. If your
phone, computer or smart TV has a microphone and/or camera, they
will give themselves the legal authority to capture this
information, too.
Gardening, Farming & Homesteading |
Massachusetts Committee Passes Bill to Expand Raw Milk Sales;
Set Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition Scheme
Tenth Amendment Center - The Senate Ways and Means Committee
created Senate Bill 2286 (S.2286) to incorporate several
measures relating to agriculture. It replaced S.2171, which was
created by a joint committee on Environment Natural Resources
and Agriculture. The bill number has changed several times. The
legislation would allow farmers to deliver raw milk to consumers
through contractual arrangements…. S.2286 would also allow
farmers to sell raw milk from a farm stand even if it is not
directly attached to the raw milk dairy. This would open the
door to raw milk sales at farmer’s markets. On May 23, the Joint
Committee on Rules passed the legislation with a favorable
report. It now moves to the House Ways and Means Committee for
further consideration…. Under current Massachusetts law, raw
milk sales are only allowed on the farm. While limited, the
measures in S.2286 would expand the sale and consumption of
unpasteurized milk in the state.
'Food Frontiers' Documentary Reveals the Changing Landscape of
the American Food System
Dr. Mercola - Did you know that 1 in 7 American households
experience food insecurity, not knowing whether they'll be able
to eat on any given day? It's a massive problem, but one that
communities across the country are beginning to tackle in
earnest. "Food Frontiers," co-produced by Leo Horrigan and Mike
Milli, features several community-driven projects aimed at
improving access to healthy foods in a number of innovative
ways. The film is part of Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable
Future Foodscape's online curriculum — an interactive site
scheduled for release in August, which will teach high school
students and teachers about the American food system and what
can be done to improve it.
Pickled Okra, A Southern Standard (Recipe)
Mother Earth News - Pickling okra is as easy as it comes, once
you know what you are doing… First, use small okra. Try to keep
them smaller than three inches. If they are any longer than
that, they get very fibrous and even woody, and they may be too
long for your jars. Discard soft or brown pods. Carefully trim
the stem just where the cap and stem meet - but leave the cap in
place. You will not usually eat the cap, but it holds everything
together and prevents the sliminess. You should also blanch them
briefly, about 30-60 seconds, to tenderize them slightly and it
helps them soak up the brine. On to the recipe…Quantities are
all approximate and will vary according to the amount of okra
you have on hand. Keep the ratios roughly the same as your okra
quantity varies. Ingredients: Approximately 3-1/2 pounds of
okra. Trimmed and blanched… 8 cloves garlic. Will vary according
to number of pints being packed. [and] 8 peppers. Sweet or hot
to your taste.
How Industry Money Keeps Unsafe Products in Wide Use — and the
Public in the Dark
Dr. Mercola - A recent lawsuit against former FDA Commissioner
Dr. Margaret Hamburg, her husband, and Johnson & Johnson
highlights the industry friendly climate of the FDA. t is not
surprising that both the FDA and mainstream media have become
industry captives failing to perform their sworn duties of
protecting and informing the public because of their lucrative
partnerships with industry. Unless there is a major system of
reinvigoration, the spiral of compromised ethics will only
continue.
Gluten in Your Thyroid Drug?
Alliance for Natural Health - Hypothyroid patients, take note:
your medicine might now include gluten as an ingredient. A
representative from Pfizer has said that the source of the
starch in Cytomel cannot be verified and could come from corn,
potato, or wheat. Pfizer does not seem to know or care that this
is not just a problem for those with general gluten sensitivity
or, worse, Chrohn’s Disease. It may also make thyroid conditions
worse, even much worse, totally defeating the purpose of the
drug in the first place.
Starves Cancer Cells Into Oblivion by Taking Advantage of Their
Metabolic Inflexibility
Dr. Mercola - Normal, healthy cells have the metabolic
flexibility to adapt from using glucose to using ketone bodies.
Cancer cells lack this ability so when you reduce net carbs
(total carbs minus fiber), you effectively starve the cancer.…
Ideally you should have more monounsaturated fats than saturated
fats. Limit polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) to less than 10 percent.
At higher levels, you will increase the PUFA concentration in
the inner mitochondrial membrane, which makes it far more
susceptible to oxidative damage from the reactive oxygen species
generated there. Lastly, do not exceed 5 percent of your
calories as omega-6 fats. Combined, your omega 6/omega 3 fats
should not exceed 10 percent, and the omega 6:3 ratio should be
below 2. Sources of healthy fats include: olive oil, coconut
oil, Butter made from raw grass-fed organic milk, and cacao
butter, Raw nuts, Organic pastured egg yolks, Avocados,
Grass-fed meats, Lard, tallow and ghee [and Animal-based omega-3
fat.
Watch Out: Thousands of Pools Close Due to Health Violations
Natural Society - Out of more than 84,000 inspections of more
than 48,000 places where people gather for a dip in chemically
treated water in Texas, New York, Florida, Arizona, and
California, 80% had at least 1 violation. One in 8 resulted in
immediate closure of the venue because the violation was so
severe. Kiddie pools and wading pools top the list of most-gross
places, with 1 in 5 having been closed at some point for at
least 1 violation. Improper pH levels, safety equipment issues,
and problems with the disinfectant concentration were the most
common problems found at these venues…. Most pools, hot tubs,
and water parks aren’t regulated, and nearly 1/3 of local health
departments don’t bother to inspect them. So if you do decide to
visit one of these public puddles of filth this summer, follow
the advice of experts given above. And to be extra safe, you can
purchase pH test strips at the supermarket and test the water
yourself before jumping in. As a general rule of thumb, if the
water is so cloudy you can’t see the bottom of the pool, march
your bottom to a cleaner venue.
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