Confirmation hearings begin today for Mike Pompeo, the CIA director, tapped by President Trump to become the next secretary of state. Last year the Senate confirmed Pompeo to head the CIA by a vote of 66 to 32, but the vote is expected to be far closer this year. At least one Republican—Rand Paul—has already announced he will vote against Pompeo due to his support for the Iraq invasion and for torture. Pompeo also has a long history of ties to Islamophobic organizations, and the National Iranian American Council has warned that Pompeo’s confirmation would threaten the Iran nuclear deal and increase the risk of a U.S. attack on Iran. We discuss Pompeo’s nomination with Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council, and Zaid Jilani, a staff reporter at The Intercept. https://www.democracynow.org/2018/4/12/will_senate_dems_block_confirmation_of[with embedded video, and transcript]
Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders has warned the White House against any attack on Syria without a declaration of war from Congress. On Wednesday, Sanders tweeted, “President Trump has no legal authority for broadening the war in Syria. It is Congress, not the president, who determines whether our country goes to war, and Congress must not abdicate that responsibility.” We speak to Trita Parsi of the National Iranian American Council and The Intercept’s Zaid Jilani, who co-wrote, with Glenn Greenwald, the piece “With Latest Syria Threats, Trump Continues to Be More Confrontational Toward Russia Than Obama Was [ https://theintercept.com/2018/04/11/the-trump-administration-continues-to-be-more-confrontational-toward-russia-than-obama-was/ ].” https://www.democracynow.org/2018/4/12/a_tremendously_dangerous_situation_as_trump[with embedded video, and transcript]
Political Scientist Corey Robin: Paul Ryan Is Retiring After Failing to Fulfill Right-Wing Agenda
Published on Apr 12, 2018 by Democracy Now!
In news that has sent shock waves through Capitol Hill, House Speaker Paul Ryan has announced he will not seek re-election this fall. Over 40 House Republicans have announced they will resign or retire, including nine chairmen of committees, leading many to speculate Republicans are fearing a blue wave will bring a Democratic majority to power in November. The most prominent Republican contender for Ryan’s seat is Paul Nehlen, a white nationalist and anti-Semite who has called for deporting all Muslims from the United States. For more, we speak with Corey Robin, a professor of political science at Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He is the author of “The Reactionary Mind: Conservatism from Edmund Burke to Donald Trump [ https://www.amazon.com/Reactionary-Mind-Conservatism-Edmund-Donald/dp/0190842024 ],” which The New Yorker called “the book that predicted Trump [ https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-book-that-predicted-trump ].” https://www.democracynow.org/2018/4/12/political_scientist_corey_robin_paul_ryan[with embedded video, and transcript]
Corey Robin: Striking Teachers Are “Real Resistance” to “Incoherent” Republicans and “Gutted” Dems
Published on Apr 12, 2018 by Democracy Now!
In the continuing teachers’ rebellion sweeping the U.S., dozens of Oklahoma teachers have completed a 7-day, 110-mile march from Tulsa to the state capital Oklahoma City. Public schools across Tulsa and Oklahoma City remain closed as thousands of teachers continue their strike for education funding into a ninth day. The strike comes as the Supreme Court is considering Janus v. AFSCME, a case that could deal a massive blow to public unions nationwide—and as President Trump is successfully appointing right-wing judges to federal courts, reshaping the judiciary for decades to come. We continue our conversation with Corey Robin, a professor of political science at Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Robin calls the conservative movement “weak and incoherent” and the Democratic Party “a gutted machine,” and says labor organizing like the teachers’ revolt are the “real resistance” in the U.S. today. https://www.democracynow.org/2018/4/12/corey_robin_striking_teachers_are_real[with embedded video, and transcript]
President Donald J. Trump Proclaims April 14, 2018, as Pan American Day and April 8 through April 14, 2018, as Pan American Week
Issued on: April 12, 2018
On Pan American Day and during Pan American Week, we commemorate the 128th anniversary of the First International Conference of American States, which concluded on April 14, 1890, and paved the way for the establishment of the Organization of American States in 1948. As the Organization of American States celebrates the 70th anniversary of its founding this year, the United States reaffirms our commitment to partner with the nations of the Americas to advance security, economic and energy prosperity, and democratic governance throughout the hemisphere.
This week, Vice President Pence will join with leaders in the Pan American region to address corruption and develop strategies to defeat transnational criminal organizations in our hemisphere. During the eighth Summit of the Americas, the United States will look to strengthen the region’s collective commitment to representative democracy, to government accountability, and to confront threats to freedom.
Tragically, the core tenets of free society have been abandoned in Venezuela and Cuba. Our hemispheric community of democracies must support the Venezuelan people and their right to have a voice in their government through free, fair, and internationally validated elections. Furthermore, the United States will not cease in its efforts to secure a future of freedom, peace, and prosperity for the people of Cuba.
Under my Administration, the United States will continue to be a steady, enduring partner to Latin American and Caribbean countries. The United States will continue bilateral discussions on efforts to disrupt the organized crime organizations and trafficking routes that harm our citizens and drive irregular migration. My Administration supports ongoing regional security coordination through programs such as the Merida Initiative in Mexico, the Central American Regional Security Initiative, and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, as well as regular meetings, including our Strategic Dialogue to Disrupt Transnational Criminal Organizations with Mexico. At the heart of our engagement is the belief that by working together we can achieve a more prosperous and secure future for our region.
As we observe Pan American Day and Pan American Week, let us capitalize on this momentum and build on our common history with a mutual purpose to achieve hemispheric peace and prosperity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 14, 2018, as Pan American Day and April 8 through April 14, 2018, as Pan American Week. I urge the Governors of the 50 States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the officials of the other areas under the flag of the United States of America to honor these observances with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.
“Get Ready Russia”, missiles are coming but no investigation. What’s the plan here? What did regime change produce in Libya? What are the war moves being made by both sides and the reactions of markets? Lee Stranahan joins to look at what’s happening in Syria and we look at the lies of Facebook oligarch, Mark Zuckerberg. Then, what should Trump do about the other fake Russian threat and its inquisitors Mueller & Rosenstein?
[from Alex Jones and his merry band of batshit bullshitters]
Everything you need to know about Sinclair's takeover of local news
Published on Apr 12, 2018 by mediamatters4america
You've heard about Sinclair injecting right-wing propaganda into local news. Here's an in-depth look into exactly how they're doing it—and why it's going to make Trump's path to re-election a whole lot easier. (Is Sinclair sneaking conservative spin into your local news? Find out on our map at https://findsinclair.com/ .)
James H. Anderson, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice Robert M. Scher, resigned.
Rubydee Calvert, of Wyoming, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2022, vice David J. Arroyo, term expired.
Bonnie Glick, of Maryland, to be Deputy Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, vice Alfonso E. Lenhardt.
Jennifer L. Homendy, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2019, vice Mark R. Rosekind, resigned.
Heidi R. King, of California, to be Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vice Mark R. Rosekind.
John P. Pallasch, of Kentucky, to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor, vice Portia Y. Wu.
Mark Rosen, of Connecticut, to be United States Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund for a term of two years, vice Margrethe Lundsager, resigned.
Laura Gore Ross, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2022, vice Jannette Lake Dates, term expired.
Raul M. Arias-Marxuach, of Puerto Rico, to be United States District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico, vice Jose Antonio Fuste, retired.
Pamela A. Barker, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio, vice Donald C. Nugent, retired.
Kenneth D. Bell, of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, vice Richard L. Voorhees, retired.
Stephen R. Clark, Sr., of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, vice Carol E. Jackson, retired.
Charles L. Goodwin, of Hawaii, to be United States Marshal for the District of Hawaii for the term of four years, vice Gervin Kazumi Miyamoto, term expired.
James Patrick Hanlon, of Indiana, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana, vice William T. Lawrence, retiring.
Scott Patrick Illing, of Louisiana, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana for the term of four years, vice Genevieve Lynn May, term expired.
John D. Jordan, of Missouri, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri for the term of four years, vice William Claud Sibert, term expired.
Jonathan W. Katchen, of Alaska, to be United States District Judge for the District of Alaska, vice Ralph R. Beistline, retired.
Scott E. Kracl, of Nebraska, to be United States Marshal for the District of Nebraska for the term of four years, vice Mark Anthony Martinez, term expired.
R. Don Ladner, Jr., of Florida, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Florida for the term of four years, vice Edward M. Spooner, retired.
Cheryl A. Lydon, of South Carolina, to be United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina for the term of four years, vice William N. Nettles, term expired.
Erica H. MacDonald, of Minnesota, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota for the term of four years, vice Andrew Mark Luger, resigned.
Paul B. Matey, of New Jersey, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, vice Julio M. Fuentes, retired.
Mary S. McElroy, of Rhode Island, to be United States District Judge for the District of Rhode Island, vice Mary M. Lisi, retired.
David Stephen Morales, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, vice Janis Graham Jack, retired.
Sarah Daggett Morrison, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio, vice Gregory L. Frost, retired.
David James Porter, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, vice D. Michael Fisher, retired.
J. C. Raffety, of West Virginia, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia for the term of four years, vice Gary Michael Gaskins, term expired.
Gadyaces S. Serralta, of Florida, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida for the term of four years, vice Amos Rojas, Jr., term expired.
Mark F. Sloke, of Alabama, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Alabama for the term of four years, vice Charles Edward Andrews, term expired.
Presidential Memorandum for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Issued on: April 12, 2018
Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), Public Law 88-206, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for certain common air pollutants, often referred to as “criteria pollutants,” which it must review every 5 years. Over the past four decades, EPA has revised these standards a number of times to increase their stringency, including revisions to the standards for ozone, particulate matter, and four other criteria pollutants. Since 1970, emissions of criteria pollutants have declined dramatically and air quality has improved significantly. At the same time, each new revision of the NAAQS triggers numerous new planning, permitting, and other requirements for affected States, localities, and regulated entities. In addition, each new revision can affect the planning for and availability of Federal funding for certain new transportation projects.
Under the CAA, States with areas that do not meet revised NAAQS must submit for approval to the Administrator of the EPA (Administrator) State Implementation Plans (SIPs) showing how they will comply with the revised standards. States that fail to submit a SIP or that submit an inadequate SIP risk the imposition of a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) that establishes a path to compliance. In addition, manufacturers and other applicants seeking preconstruction permits for new construction generally must demonstrate compliance with the new standards as soon as they go into effect. As the NAAQS have become more stringent, obtaining the air permits needed to construct new manufacturing and industrial facilities or to expand or modernize existing facilities has become increasingly difficult. In some areas, revised NAAQS are approaching what are considered to be “background levels” of pollution (i.e., levels associated with natural sources or emissions originating outside of the United States), leading to significant practical challenges for constructing or expanding manufacturing and industrial facilities. Those challenges range from difficulties in demonstrating compliance to costs and uncertainty associated with permitting delays and emissions-control requirements.
Under the CAA, EPA has also established a Regional Haze Program, which requires States to submit for the Administrator’s approval plans that cover 10-year implementation periods and to demonstrate “reasonable progress” toward improving and maintaining visibility in certain national parks and wilderness areas. In recent years, States have spent significant time and resources developing Regional Haze Program SIPs. EPA, however, has rejected several of them, in whole or in part, and issued FIPs in their place, which often impose more costly and burdensome measures.
Given the national importance of successful and efficient implementation of air quality standards to promote public health, welfare, and economic growth, this memorandum directs the Administrator to take specific actions to ensure efficient and cost-effective implementation of the NAAQS program, including with regard to permitting decisions for new and expanded facilities, and with respect to the Regional Haze Program. These actions are intended to ensure that EPA carries out its core missions of protecting the environment and improving air quality in accord with statutory requirements, while reducing unnecessary impediments to new manufacturing and business expansion essential for a growing economy.
Accordingly, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby directed as follows:
Section 1. Timely Processing of State Implementation Plans. The Administrator shall, as practicable and consistent with law, endeavor in all cases to take final action on SIPs within 18 months of the date of the submission of a SIP. This goal applies to all SIPs and SIP revisions submitted pursuant to section 110 of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7410). The Administrator shall consider the expansion of existing performance goals related to the timely processing of SIPs starting with the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 performance plan.
Sec. 2. Cooperative Engagement with States to Review Regional Haze Plans. The Administrator shall undertake a process to review all full or partial FIPs issued under the 2007 planning period of the Regional Haze Program and to develop options, at the request of affected States, consistent with law, to replace FIPs with approvable SIPs. The Administrator shall consider the expansion of existing performance goals related to the cooperative engagement with States in EPA’s review of Regional Haze Plans starting with the FY 2019 performance plan.
Sec. 3. Timely Processing of Preconstruction Permit Applications. The Administrator shall endeavor to take final action on applications for preconstruction permits, as appropriate and consistent with law, within 1 year of the date of receiving a complete application. This 1-year goal applies to all completed applications for preconstruction permits for which EPA is the direct permitting authority under the CAA. The Administrator shall also seek to ensure that determinations relating to the completeness of an application are not unduly delayed. To the extent that a State is the direct permitting authority, EPA shall endeavor to provide prompt technical support, reviews, and determinations, as necessary and consistent with applicable law, in order to assist States in the timely issuance of preconstruction permits. The Administrator shall, starting with the FY 2019 performance plan, develop performance goals related to the timely processing of preconstruction permit applications.
Sec. 4. Demonstrations or Petitions Submitted Pursuant to Sections 319 and 179B of the CAA Relating to Emissions Beyond the Control of State and Local Air Agencies. The Administrator shall take the following actions with regard to demonstrations or petitions submitted pursuant to sections 319 and 179B of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7619, 7509a), in order to provide relief to State and local air agencies addressing emissions that are beyond their control:
(a) Timely Processing. With respect to all exceptional event demonstrations submitted pursuant to section 319 of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7619), and all demonstrations or petitions relating to international emissions submitted pursuant to section 179B of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7509a), the Administrator shall endeavor to take final action within 120 days of a complete submission, as appropriate and consistent with law. The Administrator shall also endeavor to use available monitoring data and modeling tools to assist States in identifying potential exceptional events and international emissions that may affect concentrations of criteria pollutants. The Administrator shall, starting with the FY 2019 performance plan, develop performance goals related to the timely processing of demonstrations or petitions.
(b) Policies Relating to International Emissions. The Administrator shall ensure that EPA continues to take into consideration a State’s ability to meet and attain NAAQS that may be affected by international transport of criteria pollutants. With regard to all demonstrations or petitions submitted pursuant to section 179B of the CAA, the Administrator shall also seek to ensure, including through rulemakings or guidance and as appropriate and consistent with law, that EPA does not limit its consideration of demonstrations or petitions to those submitted by States located on the borders of the United States with Mexico or Canada, but rather considers section 179B demonstrations or petitions submitted by any State, including but not limited to those located in the Western United States. Additionally, with respect to section 179B demonstrations or petitions, the Administrator shall ensure that EPA does not limit its consideration to emissions emanating from Mexico or Canada, but rather considers, where appropriate, emissions that may emanate from any location outside the United States, including emissions from Asia.
(c) Continuing Assessment. In implementing section 179B of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7509a), section 319 of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7619), and section 182(h) of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7511a(h)), the Administrator shall ensure that EPA continues to assess background concentrations and sources of pollution outside of the control of State and local air agencies that may affect implementation or application of these provisions. Such assessment may include current and future trends in pollution from foreign sources; regional trends in exceptional events, including wildfires, stratospheric ozone intrusions, and volcanic seismic activities; and other events, as appropriate and consistent with law.
Sec. 5. Monitoring and Modeling Data. The Administrator shall take the following actions to ensure that monitoring and modeling data is used appropriately in designations, permitting decisions, and demonstrations:
(a) Designations. Given the significant planning, permitting, and other requirements for affected States, localities, and regulated entities associated with nonattainment designations, the Administrator’s goal for future designations should be, to the extent feasible and permitted by law, to rely on data from EPA-approved air quality monitors for such designations.
(b) Permitting Decisions and Demonstrations.
(i) Where modeling is necessary for permitting decisions, for State plans, or for exceptional event or international emissions demonstrations, the Administrator shall seek to ensure that EPA’s applicable modeling tools are sufficiently accurate for their intended application; and that the relevant State or local air agency, or permit applicant as applicable, is consulted regarding whether the use of modeling projections in lieu of monitored data is appropriate. The Administrator should also seek to streamline EPA’s processes for considering and approving inputs to models and updates to modeling techniques, including updates to account for site-specific conditions. Where EPA-approved models are not representative of site conditions or planned activities, the Administrator shall seek, as appropriate and consistent with law, to streamline the process for approving alternative models and to provide for other methods that promote innovative State approaches.
(ii) The Administrator shall, consistent with law, continue to take actions, such as setting significant impact levels and related values, that enable EPA to clearly identify the types or classes of permitting and related decisions that do not require modeling or that can rely on streamlined modeling approaches. This requirement is especially important in areas for which EPA concludes that permits need to demonstrate compliance with NAAQS that have yet to be fully implemented. In developing significant impact levels, EPA should, as appropriate and consistent with law, allow for natural variability in meteorological conditions and industrial processes.
Sec. 6. Offsets. To the extent consistent with law and air quality improvement, the Administrator shall provide flexibility to States with regard to identifying and achieving offsets, including by allowing intrastate and regional inter-precursor trading. These efforts should include development and implementation of flexible offset policies in rural areas where few facilities exist to generate offsets, in order to promote their economic expansion. The Administrator shall examine steps to help regions and States benefit from flexibilities available in the permitting process for new facilities and projects.
Sec. 7. Future NAAQS Reviews. The Administrator shall evaluate whether EPA is complying fully with the requirements of section 109(d)(2)(C) of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7409(d)(2)(C)) relating to the scope and characterization of advice provided by its Clean Air Act Scientific Advisory Committee, including requirements that the Committee advise the Administrator regarding background concentrations and adverse public health or other effects that may result from implementation of revised air quality standards. In addition, the Administrator shall examine the current NAAQS review process and develop criteria to ensure transparency in the evaluation, assessment, and characterization of scientific evidence in such reviews. The Administrator shall also develop clear guidance for differentiating the role of science and policy considerations in establishing NAAQS.
Sec. 8. Timely Issuance of Implementing Regulations and Guidance. When issuing any final rule establishing or revising NAAQS, the Administrator shall, where appropriate and consistent with law, concurrently issue regulations and guidance necessary for implementing the new or revised standards. The regulations and guidance shall specify the information that is relevant to the submission and consideration of SIPs and preconstruction permit applications.
Sec. 9. Review of Rules, Guidance, Memoranda, and Procedures Relating to State Implementation Plans and Permitting. The Administrator shall evaluate EPA’s existing rules, guidance, memoranda, and other public documents relating to the implementation of NAAQS, including documents that relate to the submission and consideration of preconstruction permit applications. The Administrator shall, consistent with law, determine whether any such documents should be revised or rescinded to ensure more timely permitting decisions under the NAAQS. Any resulting revisions or rescissions should seek, among other things, to provide States with additional implementation flexibility. The Administrator should also evaluate the adequacy of existing internal review procedures to determine whether they can be improved to ensure prompt evaluation and timely action on new and pending SIPs and permit applications.
Sec. 10. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) You are hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
Executive Order on the Task Force on the United States Postal System
Issued on: April 12, 2018
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order the following:
Section 1. Policy. (a) The United States Postal Service (USPS) accounts for almost half of global mail volume and is regularly cited as the Federal agency with the highest public approval rating. However, a number of factors, including the steep decline in First-Class Mail volume, coupled with legal mandates that compel the USPS to incur substantial and inflexible costs, have resulted in a structural deficit where revenues are no longer sufficient to fund the pension liabilities and retiree health obligations owed to current employees. The USPS is on an unsustainable financial path and must be restructured to prevent a taxpayer-funded bailout. This finding is supported by the following considerations, among others:
(i) the USPS has incurred $65 billion of cumulative losses since the 2007-2009 recession;
(ii) the USPS has been unable to make payments required by law for its retiree health benefit obligations, which totaled more than $38 billion at the end of fiscal year 2017; and
(iii) the Government Accountability Office has had the USPS on its high-risk list since 2009 because of a serious financial situation that puts the USPS mission of providing prompt, reliable, and efficient universal mail services at risk.
(b) It shall be the policy of my Administration that the United States postal system operate under a sustainable business model to provide necessary mail services to citizens and businesses, and to compete fairly in commercial markets.
Sec. 2. Establishment. (a) There is hereby established a Task Force on the United States Postal Service (Task Force), to be chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury, as Secretary and as Chairman of the Federal Financing Bank, or his designee, to evaluate the operations and finances of the USPS. In addition to the Chair of the Task Force (Chair), the Task Force shall be composed of the following department and agency heads, or their designees:
(i) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;
(ii) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management; and
(iii) any other department and agency head the Chair may designate.
(b) The Task Force shall consult with the Postmaster General and the Chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission.
(c) The Task Force shall also engage:
(i) the Attorney General, on issues relating to government monopolies operating in the commercial marketplace;
(ii) the Secretary of Labor, on issues related to workers compensation programs; and
(iii) State, local, and tribal officials as determined by the Chair of the Task Force with input from the Task Force members.
(d) The Task Force shall meet as required by the Chair and, unless extended by the Chair, shall be dissolved once it has accomplished the objectives set forth in sections 3 and 4, as determined by the Chair, and completed the report described in section 5 of this order.
Sec. 3. Evaluation. The Task Force shall conduct a thorough evaluation of the operations and finances of the USPS, including:
(i) the expansion and pricing of the package delivery market and the USPS’s role in competitive markets;
(ii) the decline in mail volume and its implications for USPS self-financing and the USPS monopoly over letter delivery and mailboxes;
(iii) the definition of the “universal service obligation” in light of changes in technology, e-commerce, marketing practices, and customer needs;
(iv) the USPS role in the U.S. economy and in rural areas, communities, and small towns; and
(v) the state of the USPS business model, workforce, operations, costs, and pricing.
Sec. 4. Recommendations for Reform. The Task Force shall develop recommendations for administrative and legislative reforms to the United States postal system.
(a) Such recommendations shall promote our Nation’s commerce and communication without shifting additional costs to taxpayers. The recommendations shall be developed in a manner that is consistent with the proposed plan to reorganize the executive branch as required by Executive Order 13781 of March 13, 2017.
(b) Such recommendations shall also consider the views of the USPS workforce; commercial, non-profit, and residential users of the USPS services; and competitors in the marketplace.
Sec. 5. Report. The Task Force, acting through the Chair and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall submit a report to the President, in coordination with the Directors of the Domestic Policy and National Economic Councils, not later than 120 days after the date of this order. In its report, the Task Force shall summarize its findings and recommendations under sections 3 and 4 of this order.
Sec. 6. Administration. The Federal Financing Bank shall provide administrative support and funding for the Task Force.
Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
Right Wing Watch reports on the extreme rhetoric and activities of key right-wing figures and organizations by showing their views in their own words. In this clip, Sen. Cory Booker questions CIA director and secretary of state nominee Mike Pompeo about his ties with anti-Muslim activists, and Pompeo defends himself by saying he spoke out against Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church. http://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/mike-pompeo-goes-with-the-westboro-baptist-church-defense/
President Donald J. Trump Approves Kentucky Disaster Declaration
Issued on: April 12, 2018
Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and ordered Federal assistance to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides from February 9 to February 14, 2018.
Federal funding is available to the commonwealth and to eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides in the counties of Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Metcalfe, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Whitley, and Wolfe.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures throughout the commonwealth.
Brock Long, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Manny J. Toro as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the commonwealth and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
For further information, media should contact the FEMA News Desk at (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom
Issued on: April 12, 2018
President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom. The leaders continued their discussion of the need for a joint response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons.
Thursday, April 12th 2018[, with appearances by Andrey Afanasyev, Nigel Farage and Marc Faber, and Anthony Cumia hosting the fourth hour]: Emergency 34-Hour Broadcast - Stop the next world war! Participating in this explosive 34-hour broadcast are experts from the Pentagon, Russia, Germany, and the UK. Most war-game scenarios show that an escalation in the Middle East will turn into a thermonuclear war within hours. Today we fight to stop that from happening.
Beginning in September, conservative commentators Diamond and Silk began claiming Facebook was exerting “bias censorship and discrimination" against their page, and as a result, were reaching fewer people. ThinkProgress examined their Facebook page performance over the last 12 months, and the numbers show this claim is totally without merit.
Over the past 10 years, a growing online community of conspiracy theorists and hoaxers known as “truthers” has come to question the official narratives behind every mass shooting that is heavily covered by the media. A common thread in these theories is the government’s role in staging the tragedy with the help of mainstream news, in order to manipulate the general population. In this continuously recycled narrative, the death and destruction of the tragic event is faked, and victims and their families are “crisis actors,” who are performing a role in order to elicit sympathy that can then be used to advocate for new gun laws, or anti-terror surveillance that restricts Americans’ freedom. The commitment to these narratives has escalated to the point where victims are frequently harassed, mocked, and even threatened in retaliation for their supposed deception.
We meet some of the proponents of false flag theories, including Side Thorn, a conspiracy theorist in Texas who has been confronting survivors of the Sutherland Springs mass shooting, as well as Tony Mead, administrator of the largest Facebook community dedicated to False Flag narratives, and Wolfgang Halbig, a former school administrator who made a name for himself with the claim that no one died at the Sandy Hook shooting. We also talk to people targeted by hoax theories, like Lenny Pozner whose son Noah was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting, David Hogg, who was accused of being a “crisis actor” for his calls for gun control after the mass shooting at his high school in Parkland, Florida, and Frank Pomeroy, whose daughter was killed in the Sutherland Springs shooting.
President Donald J. Trump’s Tax Cuts Are Energizing American Employers Of All Sizes “There’s never been a better time to hire in America, to invest in America, and to start living the American Dream. There’s never been a better time than this. Because the future of America doesn’t belong to the privileged few, it belongs to all of the people.” - President Donald J. Trump April 12, 2018 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trumps-tax-cuts-energizing-american-employers-sizes/
How the sleep gap reflects inequality and contributes to it.
A good night’s rest is critical for your health, and a lot can go wrong when you don’t get enough it. Sleep deprivation can contribute to obesity, diabetes, inflammation, heart disease, and more. The minimum recommended amount for adults is 7 hours (this too can vary from person to person). But, a third of Americans are sleep deprived — and on average, Black Americans are clocking in the least amount of z’s.
Black Americans already face steep disparities in health, and not getting enough good sleep can compound on those issues. By examining the sleep gap, and addressing the root causes, we may be able to tackle other inequalities in the US too.
FBI probing Michael Cohen connection to buried tabloid story
The Beat with Ari Melber 4/12/18
Sources tell NBC News the FBI is seeking communications between Michael Cohen and two National Enquirer executives after reports, unconfirmed by NBC, that the tabloid paid a Trump building doorman to stop a rumor about an affair and an out of wedlock child.
Former FBI Director Jim Comey's memoir contains several bombshell allegations, including that Trump was fixated on proving the Steele Dossier allegations wrong. The Washington Post's Philip Rucker joins The Beat to break the story.
Democrat running for Ryan’s seat: he was “complicit” with Trump
The Beat with Ari Melber 4/12/18
Randy Bryce, a Democrat running for Paul Ryan’s seat in Wisconsin says Ryan’s agenda has always been to give “tax breaks to the wealthiest” Americans and that he’s been “complicit with allowing” Trump “to do whatever” Trump decides he wants to do.
Drivers License Suspension Laws Punish The Formerly Incarcerated Long After Release (HBO)
Published on Apr 12, 2018 by VICE News
Stephanie Powell of Ruckersville, Virginia, is caught in a Catch-22: She desperately needs a full-time job to pay off thousands of dollars in debt, but she can't easily find full-time work without the ability to drive.
A judge revoked Powell's license more than decade ago for a drug conviction. She's one of millions of adult Americans who have lost their drivers' licenses — not from insurance problems or driving infractions, but because they’re unable to pay off piling court debts.
And without jobs, they can't easily tackle those fines and regain their ability to drive.
In 12 states, judges can revoke licenses as punishment for drug convictions, and in 43 states and Washington, D.C., they can revoke them over any money owed to the court.
Powell’s last conviction was in 2006, but more than a decade later, she still owes over ten thousand dollars to five different courts in Virginia. Her part-time job sharing samples at Sam's Club is hardly enough to cover living expenses, let alone pay off her mounting fees and interest.
In the 1980s and 1990s, lawmakers enthusiastic about crime and punishment developed the idea to tie the ability to drive to convictions and court fees. It’s a system that disproportionately harms poor communities, where formerly incarcerated people find that even after they’ve served their time, they’re crushed under debt and weighed down by circumstances and stigmas that make it hard to find and drive to new jobs.
And conservative and progressive policymakers alike have begun to agree that these laws aren't working.
VICE News Tonight met with Powell at her home in Virginia, where one out of every six drivers in the state, or nearly one million people, have lost their licenses due to court fees.
This Is What People Really Think About Zuckerberg's Congressional Testimony (HBO)
Published on Apr 12, 2018 by VICE News
Mark Zuckerberg may have finished up answering lawmakers face-to-face during two days of Capitol Hill testimony — but he and his “team” have a lot to follow up on. They owe responses to Senators and Representatives on at least 44 questions.
Many Facebook users who watched the testimony still have questions, too. In Denver, Pollster Frank Luntz talked a group of 21-to-49-year-olds, who both despise the platform’s tactics but at the same time, can’t live without it.
“There’s nothing else like it,” said 26 year-old Erin Finn. “But if you delete it what is there to replace it? How am I going to connect to my family?” She added, “You can meet — or you can reconnect with someone that you went to school with ten years ago.”
None of the panelists trust Co-Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and felt like his answers on Capitol Hill rang hollow and felt insincere.
“You can't have that much power unregulated in the hands of one CEO,” said Andrew Bunker, a 23 year-old legislative assistant. “He has, for my mind, little risk of losing his position because the unwillingness of us to change our social-media behavior.”
And while most were concerned about how Facebook might be using — or potentially abusing - their personal data, they were even more concerned about the long term impacts on democracy.
“I would ask him if he could stop making these mini propaganda machines,” said Jamie Javier, a 39 year old geotechnical engineer from Boulder, CO. “I think that is divisive and — yeah, just in general, bad for society.”
The globalists are pushing Trump into war with Russia, but will he take the bait or will he show the elite he represents America, not the Military Industrial Complex?
Also, Senator Rand Paul revealed that disgraced FBI agent Peter Strzok and FBI lawyer Lisa Page still retain Top Secret security clearances.
In economics, jobless claims have now held below 300,000 for the longest streak in US history.
During this 34-hour transmission, Infowars will have huge sales at InfowarsStore.com, along with featured guests and special reports.
Below is the current schedule with the host of each hour. Check back here or at Infowars.com/Show for any updates or revisions:
8am to 11am: Real News with David Knight
11am to 3pm: The Alex Jones Show
3pm to 6pm: The War Room with Owen Shroyer / Roger Stone
6pm to 8pm: Lee Ann McAdoo / Jake Lloyd / Millie Weaver
Fired FBI Director Comey's much anticipated book describes the various meetings and phone calls he had with Trump, including numerous times in which Comey says Trump confronted him about the most salacious aspects of the infamous dossier.
Trump allies worry FBI seized recordings made by Cohen
All In with Chris Hayes 4/12/18
Trump's attorney Michael Cohen sometimes taped conversations with associates - and the president's allies are worried that the FBI seized those recordings when they raided Cohen's office and hotel room this week.
Mueller report on Trump obstruction takes shape ahead of schedule
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/12/18
Rachel Maddow shares new NBC News reporting that because Donald Trump has backed out of the idea submitting to an interview with Robert Mueller, the investigation can procede to the next phase, closing the obstruction part of their inquiry with a focus on four key findings findings in Trump's attempt to obstruct justice.
James Comey book leaks early, Rachel Maddow shares highlights
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/12/18
Rachel Maddow reads passages from "A Higher Loyalty," the not-yet-released book by James Comey, including Comey's likening of the nascent Trump administration to a mafia family, and Donald Trump's reaction to being informed of the Steele dossier.
Republicans coordinate smear of FBI ahead of Comey book release
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/12/18
Rachel Maddow shows how the Republican Party with Fox News is coordinating its effort to smear the FBI, its top officials, Robert Mueller, and James Comey as Comey's book is set for release and the Mueller investigation is coming together.
Comey, now a witness, but one of many in Mueller investigation
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/12/18
Nicolle Wallace talks with Rachel Maddow about the portion of Robert Mueller's investigation looking at whether Donald Trump obstructed justice and the large number of people giving evidence on that question.
Wallace: Trump conditioning public with pardon of Scooter Libby
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/12/18
Nicolle Wallace talks with Rachel Maddow about breaking news that Donald Trump intends to pardon former Dick Cheney chief of staff, Scooter Libby, and her belief that Trump and his media cohorts are conditioning the public for more pardons to come.
National Enquirer makes practice of promoting, protecting Trump
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/12/18
Rachel Maddow looks at how the National Enquirer serves as a booster to Donald Trump, and allegations that it bought the story of a Playboy Playmate who says she had an adulterous affair with Trump only to keep the story from being told.
National Enquirer pay-off eyed as 'catch and kill' to help Trump
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/12/18
Jeff Horwitz, reporter for the Associated Press, talks with Rachel Maddow about the befuddling story of the National Enquirer paying a source $30,000 apparently to quash a rumor about Donald Trump, and the role of Michael Cohen in that transaction.
STALIN, MAO, POLPOT! If you're an atheist, then you've been unfairly associated with them, but who is more apt to be associated with a tyrannical dictator? I say it's the people who actually support the outcome those dictators desired. I say it's the fundamentalist theist who believes in a God that cannot be criticized, restricts freedoms, and tortures dissidents.
Here are those links to Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty, starting with a video that inspired me:
Seth Andrews - How He Realized Christianity is Nonsense
PART 2 - STOP THE NEW WORLD WAR - EMERGENCY BROADCAST - ALEX JONES INFOWARS
Streamed live on Apr 12, 2018 by Ron Gibson
We need your help (Frank!) as social media manipulators and fake news outlets combine forces to take Infowars out while simultaneously demanding another world war.
The globalist elite are moving to start a war – and restrict free speech – like never before, and there’s never been a more important time to back independent alternative media.
Tune in Thursday, April 12, at Infowars.com/show starting at 8am CT.
During this 34-hour transmission, Infowars will have huge sales at InfowarsStore.com, along with featured guests and special reports.
Help us resist the globalist agenda and fight back against establishment propaganda.
Below is the current schedule with the host of each hour. Check back here or at Infowars.com/Show for any updates or revisions:
8am to 11am: Real News with David Knight
11am to 3pm: The Alex Jones Show
3pm to 6pm: The War Room with Owen Shroyer / Roger Stone
6pm to 8pm: Lee Ann McAdoo / Jake Lloyd / Millie Weaver
8pm to 10pm: Alex Jones
10pm to 1am: Rob Dew / Darrin McBreen
1am to 3am: Harrison Smith / Jon Bowne / Kit Daniels
The premiere of Kevin Bacon's feature film "A Duck Walks In On A Couple Having Sex," followed by a riveting behind-the-scenes of the film, in which Kevin and the cast detail the painstaking, yet artistically rewarding, process. Also starring Lauren Cohan, Justin Long, and Kyra Sedgwick.
Comey book: Trump wanted prostitute story proven false
The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell 4/12/18
In excerpts of James Comey’s new book, Comey writes that the President asked that the FBI prove that the Steele dossier story about Trump and prostitutes in Moscow was not true. Comey says Trump argued, “but I’m a germaphobe.” Nick Kristoff and Mike Murphy join Lawrence.
The stories about the President and his associates’ legal woes revolved around hush money paid to a door man and possible tapes seized by the FBI. Lawrence is joined by Stormy Daniels’ attorney Michael Avenatti, Barbara McQuade and Mike Murphy.
It is looking unlikely that the President will sit for an interview with the Special Counsel investigation and Lawrence O’Donnell argues that is the choice the guilty make because subjects who have nothing to hide usually want to tell their story.
We have Comey's book. Trump isn't going to like it.
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/13/18
MSNBC has obtained copies of fired FBI Director James Comey’s book, 'A Higher Loyalty.' In it, he likens Trump officials to mobsters and says the president is ‘untethered to truth.’ We talk to two reporters who’ve read the book in full, Philip Rucker and Jon Lemire.
What Comey says happened when Trump was told of 2016 Russia hacks
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/13/18
In his new book, ‘A Higher Loyalty,’ fired FBI Director James Comey details a meeting with Trump officials about Russia’s hacks on the 2016 election. Fmr. federal prosecutor Joyce Vance breaks down what Comey’s account could mean.
Trump allies worry Feds may have audio recordings from Cohen raid
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/13/18
Did the Feds get audio recordings of sensitive conversations made by Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen when they raided his home and office? Jeremy Bash joins to discuss.
Communications between Trump & Mueller teams break down
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/13/18
NBC News breaks the news that Monday’s raid on Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen upended talks over Trump sitting down with investigators. Our panel discusses what that means for Mueller's investigation.
Trump sending mixed messages on possible Syria strike
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/13/18
Taking to Twitter two days in a row on the topic, the president offers conflicting messages about a possible response to reports of chemical attacks in Syria's brutal civil war. Col. Jack Jacobs & Malcolm Nance discuss.
A rumor surfaces that President Trump secretly had a child with a Trump Tower housekeeper, and Mark Zuckerberg continues his testimony in Congress following the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
Published on Apr 13, 2018 by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Asking a sitting FBI Director about Kremlin 'kompromat' or a rumored affair with a housekeeper might be the lead story for some presidencies, but in 2018 it's just Thursday.
Published on Apr 13, 2018 by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Ahead of her upcoming report on 'My Reality: A Hidden America,' Diane Sawyer tells Stephen what it was like interviewing a pre-presidential Donald Trump way back in 1999.
[originally aired April 12, 2018 (U.S. central time)]
Ari Melber Wrote a Play About Exxon Valdez Oil Spill as a Child
Published on Apr 13, 2018 by Late Night with Seth Meyers
Journalist Ari Melber talks about quoting hip-hop when talking politics, what Michael Cohen pleading the fifth could mean for Trump and writing a play about the Exxon Valdez oil spill in the third grade.
Trump insists that if he wanted to fire Mueller, it would be done Washington (CNN) - President Donald Trump said Thursday that if he wanted to fire special counsel Robert Mueller, he would have months ago. "If I wanted to fire Robert Mueller in December, as reported by the Failing New York Times, I would have fired him. Just more Fake News from a biased newspaper," Trump tweeted Thursday morning. Trump was disputing a New York Times report published Tuesday that said the President sought to fire Mueller in December following reports that Mueller was seeking Trump's financial records. CNN has also reported that Trump has wanted to fire Mueller for months. Later Thursday afternoon, the President tweeted about the Mueller investigation again, this time saying he "agreed with the historically cooperative, disciplined approach that we have engaged in with Robert Mueller (Unlike the Clintons!)." [...] https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/12/politics/donald-trump-fire-robert-mueller-tweet/index.html
A New Bombshell Letter Alleges “Unethical And Potentially Illegal” Acts By EPA Head Scott Pruitt The letter from congressional Democrats comes after an interview with a former staffer to the EPA administrator. https://www.buzzfeed.com/zahrahirji/scott-pruitt-kevin-chmielewski
Scott Pruitt’s Idea to Update an E.P.A. Keepsake: Less E.P.A., More Pruitt When Scott Pruitt wanted to refashion the Environmental Protection Agency’s “challenge coin” — a type of souvenir medallion with military origins that has become a status symbol among civilians — he proposed an unusual design: Make it bigger, and delete the E.P.A. logo. Mr. Pruitt instead wanted the coin to feature some combination of symbols more reflective of himself and the Trump administration. Among the possibilities: a buffalo, to evoke Mr. Pruitt’s native Oklahoma, and a Bible verse to reflect his faith. Other ideas included using the Great Seal of the United States — a design similar to the presidential seal — and putting Mr. Pruitt’s name around the rim in large letters, according to Ronald Slotkin, a career E.P.A. employee who retired this year, and two people familiar with the proposals who asked to remain anonymous because they said they feared retribution. Many agencies have challenge coins to hand out as gifts to employees or guests. The name comes from a military tradition of carrying a coin stamped with an insignia to prove one’s affiliation, if challenged. [...] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/climate/pruitt-epa-challenge-coin.html
Mike Pompeo: Secretary of state nominee denies he is a war hawk US President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state has denied during a confirmation hearing that he is a war hawk. http://www.bbc.com/news/43746029
Trump reportedly has 8 targets in mind for his Syria missile strike — and Russia said war could be coming President Donald Trump has reportedly nailed down eight locations to strike in Syria, including two airbases, a research facility, and a chemical weapons facility. It's possible the locations lie far from Russian forces, and therefore carry a low risk of escalating tensions with Russia, but Trump's White House has said it's not afraid to target Russian assets. Any strike on Syria, Russia's ally, runs the risk triggering a massive Russian response that could lead to war between the world's biggest nuclear powers. http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-syria-strike-targets-russia-war-2018-4
Trump will reportedly warn Russia where in Syria the US will strike A Russian newspaper reported that President Donald Trump was planning to tip off Russia's military before launching any attacks. The US tries hard to avoid killing Russians in Syria, despite the president's recent hostile rhetoric toward Moscow. Russia is Syria's ally but does not approve of all its behavior. Moscow seems willing to let the US hit some Syrian targets as punishment for suspected chemical weapons use. Experts say it's possible for the US to hit Syrian targets while dodging Russian troops and avoiding a major escalation. http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-will-reportedly-warn-russia-where-us-will-strike-in-syria-2018-4
Pupil 'crushed to death by seat' in van outside Ohio school A 16-year-old boy who pleaded with police to rescue him from being crushed by a folding seat in a [Honda Odyssey] van has died. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43733758
Some Android phone makers are reportedly lying about the security updates on their smartphones Some Android phone makers have been caught actively deceiving their customers about the security of their smartphones. A security research company says certain Android phone makers just change the date of older updates to trick users into thinking they have the latest security patches. The phone makers in question aren't specifically revealed by the research company or Wired, which first reported the findings. Google's Pixel devices are the only ones that contained every security patch that it advertised to its users. http://www.businessinsider.com/android-phone-makers-caught-lying-about-security-updates-report-2018-4
Here Are Some Of The Most Explosive Claims James Comey Made In His New Book About Trump Comey likened the president's alleged crusade to obtain his loyalty to that of a mafia boss and said a bunch of other not-so-flattering things about the leader of the free world. https://www.buzzfeed.com/skbaer/james-comey-does-not-hold-anything-back-in-new-book
EXCLUSIVE: Wife – and mother – of incest couple on how disturbing journal entries from her younger daughter revealed her husband 'had half-demon baby and had married' their long-lost biological daughter Alyssa Pladl was horrified when she discovered the alleged incestuous relationship between her husband and daughter they had given up for adoption as an infant Pladl, 42, and his daughter Katie Fusco, 20, were charged in January with incest, adultery and contributing to delinquency Katie is behind bars in North Carolina; Pladl is out on bond The Pladls were reunited with their daughter in June 2016 Alyssa places the blame solely on Pladl, insisting he brainwashed and seduced Katie after she moved into their marital home in Henrico, Virginia The ex-wife told DailyMailTV: 'There are no words to describe the sense of betrayal and disgust I'm feeling' Her now ex-husband Pladl had shared custody of the 11-year-old, who learned about his relationship with her sister first-hand In her 11-year-old daughter's journal, Alyssa read how Pladl was 'marrying' Katie, with the child writing: 'Katie is pregnant. Dad says they feel like couples' The journal continued: 'He's Satan. He's f**king SATAN. He'll go to hell but he won't be the one getting tortured, he'll be the one torturing people' 13 February 2018 Updated 14 February 2018 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5369461/Wife-mother-incest-couple-says-betrayal.html
Mueller has interviewed a senior FBI official who may prove pivotal in the obstruction case surrounding Trump The special counsel Robert Mueller has interviewed Dana Boente, the FBI general counsel. Former FBI director James Comey called Boente right after he received a phone call from President Trump last year during which Comey said Trump asked him to "lift the cloud" of the Russia investigation. Mueller is in possession of contemporaneous notes Boente took documenting his conversation with Comey about the phone call with Trump, and they appear to corroborate critical portions of Comey's congressional testimony last year. http://www.businessinsider.com/mueller-interviews-dana-boente-notes-trump-comey-obstruction-2018-4
( https://youtu.be/uOVsXgi8NrY ) “Lions are really causing us havoc,” laments an African pastoralist in Nani Walker and Alan Toth’s short documentary, Living with Lions. The film chronicles the conflict between lions and humans in Laikipia County, Kenya, where drought and urbanization have pushed people and wildlife into closer contact. Conservationists attempt to mitigate the encounters, which often begin with hunted livestock and end with a lion killed in retaliation. But these efforts are complicated by the thousands of herders driving livestock into Africa’s protected areas. Walker and Toth’s even-handed film explores all sides of the issue. While global awareness of conservation efforts is important, Walker told The Atlantic, “armchair conservation is out of touch with reality. At its core, conservation is a local effort.” https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/557792/humans-lions/
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