A 46 year-old woman, and her husband, 48, both of Northwest Indiana, pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent, a Class D felony.They whipped their child after he argued with his teacher in school and both parents ended up in trouble with the law.When is it proper to discipline your child?
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Saturday, June 21, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Michelle is the new fashion
Editor's Note: I thought this post was cute and true. More women are being seen wearing large pearls, little black sweaters and that gorgeous black belt Michelle has worn. It helps that she could easily walk the runway at 5'11". Fabulous!
"The Wall Street Journal finally discovered our fashion crush on Michelle Obama. And clearly we have plenty of company. Following her appearance on The View (another secret love) women across the nation are flocking to White House/Black Market to buy the $148 dress Michelle wore on the show."
Read more
"The Wall Street Journal finally discovered our fashion crush on Michelle Obama. And clearly we have plenty of company. Following her appearance on The View (another secret love) women across the nation are flocking to White House/Black Market to buy the $148 dress Michelle wore on the show."
Read more
Topping a string of misdeeds, McCain's Friday fundraising event may have run afoul
DNC Files FOIA Request Over McCain's Latest Campaign Impropriety
McCain Campaign Event in Ottawa Runs Afoul of Hatch Act
WASHINGTON, June 20 -- The Democratic National Committee today filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the U.S. Department of State seeking information about possible violations of the Hatch Act in connection to John McCain's events in Ottawa today. The FOIA request follows reports that McCain campaign officials requested assistance in arranging a $100-a-plate luncheon speech from U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins.
According to reports, Senator Lindsey Graham, a McCain campaign co-chair, asked Ambassador Wilkins "for advice about logistics, venues and cities" for the event. Ambassador Wilkins also reportedly contacted a Canadian business leader to help sell tickets to the event. McCain's appearance is a campaign event being paid for by his campaign. The Hatch Act forbids U.S. Ambassadors from engaging in any partisan activity whatsoever on foreign soil. The DNC today called on the State Department to turn over all records related to Senator McCain's visit.
Today's report follows news this week that Senator McCain has refused to reimburse a private company for the use of its corporate jet. Senator McCain is also skirting the law by unilaterally withdrawing from the primary funds program after using the promise of taxpayer money to secure a loan and gain free ballot access. Earlier this year, outside groups filed another FEC complaint related to Senator McCain's fundraiser in London's Spencer House in April.
"By apparently running afoul of the Hatch Act during his trip to Canada today, it appears that Senator McCain is once again putting his political aspirations ahead of following the law," said DNC spokeswoman Karen Finney. "Between his refusal to pay for his campaign's use of a corporate jet and his illegally attempting to withdraw from the primary funds program, this is becoming a disturbing pattern of impropriety on the part of Senator McCain and his campaign. How can the American people trust John McCain if he is unwilling to follow the law when it gets in the way of his political aspirations?"
Copy of the FOIA Request
MCCAIN AND THE LAW
SKIRTING THE HATCH ACT...
McCain Campaign Asked Ambassador to Skirt Hatch Act. "A Canadian newspaper reported Thursday that Friday's scheduled $100-a-plate luncheon speech by Sen. John McCain in Ottawa was organized in part by U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins, a former South Carolina lawmaker whom President Bush appointed in 2005... The article in the Edmonton Sun, and an earlier one in the Globe and Mail, says that Wilkins contacted Thomas d'Aquino, the president of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, to help set up what they described as a fundraiser before McCain's visit. McCain is scheduled to give a speech at the Chateau Laurier Hotel and to meet with several Canadian officials... The Hatch Act circumscribes political activity for government employees. According to the American Foreign Service Association Web site, the State Department's ethics office prohibits fundraising activities for its presidential appointees." The Trail blog, Washington Post, 6/19/08
McCain Campaign Approached Canadians Seeking Visit & CEO Reception Hosts. Two weeks ago, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins telephoned big-business lobbyist Tom d'Aquino, head of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. Wilkins had been contacted by the McCain campaign about a Canadian visit, and the ambassador wanted to know if some of d'Aquino's group of corporate chief executives might be interested in meeting the Republican presidential candidate. Almost instantly, d'Aquino jumped at the opportunity, and an additional $100-a-plate luncheon organized by the Economic Club of Canada sold out in 30 minutes with tickets now reselling at up to $1,000 a pop. Edmonton Sun, 6/19/08
Coming to Canada McCain's Choice; Visit Arranged By Lindsey Graham Who Passed Word that McCain Was Interested in Coming to Canada. Mr. McCain's visit came together very quickly. About two weeks ago, his organization contacted the Economic Club of Canada, whose president, Mark Adler, has strong business connections. Coming to Ottawa was the McCain organization's choice, club spokeswoman Nicolee Tattersall says. As well, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins, who is from South Carolina, is a close friend of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who is very close with Mr. McCain. According to the U.S. source, Mr. Graham called the ambassador to tell him that Mr. McCain was interested in coming to Canada. He asked for advice about logistics, venues and cities that would be appropriate for the presidential nominee. Globe & Mail, 6/13/08
MISUSE OF CORPORATE JETS...
Wall Street Journal: McCain Campaign Fails to Reimburse For Up To Four Campaign Flights. "She used the jet on several trips last year that included campaign-related activity but never got campaign reimbursement, according to flight-tracking records and campaign-finance reports verified by the McCain campaign. At the New York fund-raiser, she spoke on stage, warming up the audience for her husband. If the campaign had paid for Mrs. McCain's trip to New York and three others that appear to have included some campaign work, it would likely have cost a total of about $15,000, the equivalent of first-class fare for the trips combined." Wall Street Journal, 6/18/08
Republican Expert: McCain Should Have Paid for the Flights. "Jan Baran, a Republican campaign lawyer, said the campaign should have paid. 'I don't know why they want to fight it,' he said. 'The chutzpah is not that they're not paying for this trip, it's that they're using a corporate airplane at a highly discounted rate.'" Wall Street Journal, 6/18/08:
New York Times: McCain Used Unresolved Loophole in His Own Reform Law to Get Discounted Flights. "Mr. McCain's campaign paid a total of $241,149 for the use of that plane from last August through February, records show. That amount is approximately the cost of chartering a similar jet for a month or two, according to industry estimates. The senator was able to fly so inexpensively because the law specifically exempts aircraft owned by a candidate or his family or by a privately held company they control. The Federal Election Commission adopted rules in December to close the loophole -- rules that would have required substantial payments by candidates using family-owned planes -- but the agency soon lost the requisite number of commissioners needed to complete the rule making. Because that exemption remains, Mr. McCain's campaign was able to use his wife's corporate plane like a charter jet while paying first-class rates, several campaign finance experts said. Several of those experts, however, added that his campaign's actions, while keeping with the letter of law, did not reflect its spirit." New York Times, 4/27/08
SKIRTING THE FEC...
FEC Did Not Grant McCain Permission To Withdraw From Public Financing System in the Primary. According to the Washington Post, "The nation's top federal election official told Sen. John McCain yesterday that he cannot immediately withdraw from the presidential public financing system as he had requested, a decision that threatens to dramatically restrict his spending until the general election campaign begins in the fall... Mason notified McCain that the commission had not granted his Feb. 6 request to withdraw from the presidential public financing system." [Washington Post, 2/22/08]
FEC Raised Questions About A Loan the McCain Received. According to the Associated Press, "The government's top campaign finance regulator says John McCain can't drop out of the primary election's public financing system until he answers questions about a loan he obtained to kickstart his once faltering presidential campaign... Federal Election Commission Chairman David Mason, in a letter to McCain this week, said the all-but-certain Republican nominee needs to assure the commission that he did not use the promise of public money to help secure a $4 million line of credit he obtained in November." [AP/MSNBC, 2/21/08]
THE SPENCER HOUSE FUNDRAISER...
Judicial Watch Files Complaint Over London Fundraiser. "Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it filed a formal complaint, dated April 22, 2008, with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) related to a fundraising luncheon held at London's Spencer House to benefit Senator John McCain's presidential campaign. The venue for the event was apparently donated to the campaign by foreign nationals, in violation of federal campaign finance laws." Judicial Watch release, 4/24/08
McCain Campaign Event in Ottawa Runs Afoul of Hatch Act
WASHINGTON, June 20 -- The Democratic National Committee today filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the U.S. Department of State seeking information about possible violations of the Hatch Act in connection to John McCain's events in Ottawa today. The FOIA request follows reports that McCain campaign officials requested assistance in arranging a $100-a-plate luncheon speech from U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins.
According to reports, Senator Lindsey Graham, a McCain campaign co-chair, asked Ambassador Wilkins "for advice about logistics, venues and cities" for the event. Ambassador Wilkins also reportedly contacted a Canadian business leader to help sell tickets to the event. McCain's appearance is a campaign event being paid for by his campaign. The Hatch Act forbids U.S. Ambassadors from engaging in any partisan activity whatsoever on foreign soil. The DNC today called on the State Department to turn over all records related to Senator McCain's visit.
Today's report follows news this week that Senator McCain has refused to reimburse a private company for the use of its corporate jet. Senator McCain is also skirting the law by unilaterally withdrawing from the primary funds program after using the promise of taxpayer money to secure a loan and gain free ballot access. Earlier this year, outside groups filed another FEC complaint related to Senator McCain's fundraiser in London's Spencer House in April.
"By apparently running afoul of the Hatch Act during his trip to Canada today, it appears that Senator McCain is once again putting his political aspirations ahead of following the law," said DNC spokeswoman Karen Finney. "Between his refusal to pay for his campaign's use of a corporate jet and his illegally attempting to withdraw from the primary funds program, this is becoming a disturbing pattern of impropriety on the part of Senator McCain and his campaign. How can the American people trust John McCain if he is unwilling to follow the law when it gets in the way of his political aspirations?"
Copy of the FOIA Request
MCCAIN AND THE LAW
SKIRTING THE HATCH ACT...
McCain Campaign Asked Ambassador to Skirt Hatch Act. "A Canadian newspaper reported Thursday that Friday's scheduled $100-a-plate luncheon speech by Sen. John McCain in Ottawa was organized in part by U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins, a former South Carolina lawmaker whom President Bush appointed in 2005... The article in the Edmonton Sun, and an earlier one in the Globe and Mail, says that Wilkins contacted Thomas d'Aquino, the president of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, to help set up what they described as a fundraiser before McCain's visit. McCain is scheduled to give a speech at the Chateau Laurier Hotel and to meet with several Canadian officials... The Hatch Act circumscribes political activity for government employees. According to the American Foreign Service Association Web site, the State Department's ethics office prohibits fundraising activities for its presidential appointees." The Trail blog, Washington Post, 6/19/08
McCain Campaign Approached Canadians Seeking Visit & CEO Reception Hosts. Two weeks ago, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins telephoned big-business lobbyist Tom d'Aquino, head of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. Wilkins had been contacted by the McCain campaign about a Canadian visit, and the ambassador wanted to know if some of d'Aquino's group of corporate chief executives might be interested in meeting the Republican presidential candidate. Almost instantly, d'Aquino jumped at the opportunity, and an additional $100-a-plate luncheon organized by the Economic Club of Canada sold out in 30 minutes with tickets now reselling at up to $1,000 a pop. Edmonton Sun, 6/19/08
Coming to Canada McCain's Choice; Visit Arranged By Lindsey Graham Who Passed Word that McCain Was Interested in Coming to Canada. Mr. McCain's visit came together very quickly. About two weeks ago, his organization contacted the Economic Club of Canada, whose president, Mark Adler, has strong business connections. Coming to Ottawa was the McCain organization's choice, club spokeswoman Nicolee Tattersall says. As well, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins, who is from South Carolina, is a close friend of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who is very close with Mr. McCain. According to the U.S. source, Mr. Graham called the ambassador to tell him that Mr. McCain was interested in coming to Canada. He asked for advice about logistics, venues and cities that would be appropriate for the presidential nominee. Globe & Mail, 6/13/08
MISUSE OF CORPORATE JETS...
Wall Street Journal: McCain Campaign Fails to Reimburse For Up To Four Campaign Flights. "She used the jet on several trips last year that included campaign-related activity but never got campaign reimbursement, according to flight-tracking records and campaign-finance reports verified by the McCain campaign. At the New York fund-raiser, she spoke on stage, warming up the audience for her husband. If the campaign had paid for Mrs. McCain's trip to New York and three others that appear to have included some campaign work, it would likely have cost a total of about $15,000, the equivalent of first-class fare for the trips combined." Wall Street Journal, 6/18/08
Republican Expert: McCain Should Have Paid for the Flights. "Jan Baran, a Republican campaign lawyer, said the campaign should have paid. 'I don't know why they want to fight it,' he said. 'The chutzpah is not that they're not paying for this trip, it's that they're using a corporate airplane at a highly discounted rate.'" Wall Street Journal, 6/18/08:
New York Times: McCain Used Unresolved Loophole in His Own Reform Law to Get Discounted Flights. "Mr. McCain's campaign paid a total of $241,149 for the use of that plane from last August through February, records show. That amount is approximately the cost of chartering a similar jet for a month or two, according to industry estimates. The senator was able to fly so inexpensively because the law specifically exempts aircraft owned by a candidate or his family or by a privately held company they control. The Federal Election Commission adopted rules in December to close the loophole -- rules that would have required substantial payments by candidates using family-owned planes -- but the agency soon lost the requisite number of commissioners needed to complete the rule making. Because that exemption remains, Mr. McCain's campaign was able to use his wife's corporate plane like a charter jet while paying first-class rates, several campaign finance experts said. Several of those experts, however, added that his campaign's actions, while keeping with the letter of law, did not reflect its spirit." New York Times, 4/27/08
SKIRTING THE FEC...
FEC Did Not Grant McCain Permission To Withdraw From Public Financing System in the Primary. According to the Washington Post, "The nation's top federal election official told Sen. John McCain yesterday that he cannot immediately withdraw from the presidential public financing system as he had requested, a decision that threatens to dramatically restrict his spending until the general election campaign begins in the fall... Mason notified McCain that the commission had not granted his Feb. 6 request to withdraw from the presidential public financing system." [Washington Post, 2/22/08]
FEC Raised Questions About A Loan the McCain Received. According to the Associated Press, "The government's top campaign finance regulator says John McCain can't drop out of the primary election's public financing system until he answers questions about a loan he obtained to kickstart his once faltering presidential campaign... Federal Election Commission Chairman David Mason, in a letter to McCain this week, said the all-but-certain Republican nominee needs to assure the commission that he did not use the promise of public money to help secure a $4 million line of credit he obtained in November." [AP/MSNBC, 2/21/08]
THE SPENCER HOUSE FUNDRAISER...
Judicial Watch Files Complaint Over London Fundraiser. "Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it filed a formal complaint, dated April 22, 2008, with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) related to a fundraising luncheon held at London's Spencer House to benefit Senator John McCain's presidential campaign. The venue for the event was apparently donated to the campaign by foreign nationals, in violation of federal campaign finance laws." Judicial Watch release, 4/24/08
FBI Sweep Reveals New Twists to Mortgage Fraud
The FBI has arrested more than 400 people in a sweep that's revealed a broad array of alleged mortgage scams across the country. Some alleged schemes involved real-estate twists on identity theft; others preyed on those facing foreclosure.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
On campaign financing: Obama
In Florida, looking for a smart energy strategy, questions Friday
about opting out of public funds use in his campaign cropped up
during Sen. Obama's session with reporters.
Sen. Obama doesn't want special interest money--and that is history
making.
"(To)free ourselves from dependence on special interest and lobbyists,"
is the reason for a decision not to use public funds--which are a mix of sometimes unidentifiable funding sources.
"That is not a recipe for reform," Obama told reporters.
So what is all of the fuss about? Obama is still committed to fixing the system. John McCain wants to limit however, the amount of funding Obama gets to use.
Republicans don't want Obama to get his message out--the message of
Change in states that traditionally are GOP territory--according to Jack Cafferty--sort of.
Sen. Obama made his comments from Jacksonville, FL after addressing a group there.
It looks like Sen. Obama is in it to win it.
When it was advantageous to McCain, he considered opting out of the
public finance system but I guess he changed his mind.
Sen. Obama also wondered aloud why McCain talked about trade Friday in Canada instead of Ohio or Michigan. Retooling NAFTA was an issue during the February Democratic debate co-moderated by the late Tim Russert.
We all have our own road to achieveing the American Dream.
"I come to politics because my own story. I wasn't born into wealth or privilege but was given extraordinary opportunity...the country allows you to make it if you try. I think it is the essence of the American dream and I think that dream is slipping away. It is the American Dream we are fighting for in this election," Sen. Obama said.
about opting out of public funds use in his campaign cropped up
during Sen. Obama's session with reporters.
Sen. Obama doesn't want special interest money--and that is history
making.
"(To)free ourselves from dependence on special interest and lobbyists,"
is the reason for a decision not to use public funds--which are a mix of sometimes unidentifiable funding sources.
"That is not a recipe for reform," Obama told reporters.
So what is all of the fuss about? Obama is still committed to fixing the system. John McCain wants to limit however, the amount of funding Obama gets to use.
Republicans don't want Obama to get his message out--the message of
Change in states that traditionally are GOP territory--according to Jack Cafferty--sort of.
Sen. Obama made his comments from Jacksonville, FL after addressing a group there.
It looks like Sen. Obama is in it to win it.
When it was advantageous to McCain, he considered opting out of the
public finance system but I guess he changed his mind.
Sen. Obama also wondered aloud why McCain talked about trade Friday in Canada instead of Ohio or Michigan. Retooling NAFTA was an issue during the February Democratic debate co-moderated by the late Tim Russert.
We all have our own road to achieveing the American Dream.
"I come to politics because my own story. I wasn't born into wealth or privilege but was given extraordinary opportunity...the country allows you to make it if you try. I think it is the essence of the American dream and I think that dream is slipping away. It is the American Dream we are fighting for in this election," Sen. Obama said.
Watch Sen. Obama live!
Webcast by Ustream.TV
Obama, Clinton back together again
CHICAGO - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's campaign announced Friday that he will campaign with former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton next week, a step toward unifying a fractured Democratic Party after a bruising primary fight.
Obama's campaign said in a brief e-mail that said the two senators and former opponents will campaign together for the first time on Friday, June 27, and more details would be forthcoming.
Read more
Obama, Clinton back together again
CHICAGO - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's campaign announced Friday that he will campaign with former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton next week, a step toward unifying a fractured Democratic Party after a bruising primary fight.
Obama's campaign said in a brief e-mail that said the two senators and former opponents will campaign together for the first time on Friday, June 27, and more details would be forthcoming.
Read more
Pregnant with possibilities?
It seems a group of teen girls living near Boston made a pact to get pregnant around the same time and raise their babies together.
There are about 17 girls pregnant at the school where normally there would only be four per year.
School officials investigated and found out about the scheme.
Officials at the school health clinic became suspicious when the girls in question kept going to the clinic for multiple pregnancy tests and seemed disappointed when they came out negative.
One of the girls said she got pregnant by a "24-year-old homeless guy.
The school superintendent said the girls are generally girls who lack self esteem and love in their lives.
Seriously? Girls want to be teen mothers?
They must be well-off.
This story can be read in Time magazine or go to cnn.com to read about it.
There are about 17 girls pregnant at the school where normally there would only be four per year.
School officials investigated and found out about the scheme.
Officials at the school health clinic became suspicious when the girls in question kept going to the clinic for multiple pregnancy tests and seemed disappointed when they came out negative.
One of the girls said she got pregnant by a "24-year-old homeless guy.
The school superintendent said the girls are generally girls who lack self esteem and love in their lives.
Seriously? Girls want to be teen mothers?
They must be well-off.
This story can be read in Time magazine or go to cnn.com to read about it.
LA Police Gear
L.A. Police Gear, Inc. was founded by Los Angeles area Police Officers. While you might think because of the web site name that they only sell to cops, that is not the case at all. They sell to everyone!
They sell tactical gear, The Surefire flashlight brand, Under Armor, Galco holsters and more.
They also have Luminox watches--the brand you need in low-light situations.
Using a Swiss, self-powered illumination system,making watches more visible and easier to read in low or no light situations.
If you are a procurement officer or if you have a large order please go to our purchase order area (left edge of screen) or call us at the above number.
LA Police Gear Inc is listed in the DoD CCR system and is classified as a small business - woman owned.
They provide support in operations worldwide. Concact them if your operation is "off the books" and you need gear for logistical support.
They take into consideration that shipping to active duty personnel can be difficult at times and claim several years of experience in the area, keep up to date with the latest requirements of the military mail system.
If you are at an APO or FPO address they can ship to you. Select USPS Priority Mail as your shipping option during check-out. LA Police Gear will ship your order via USPS Priority Mail.
They sell tactical gear, The Surefire flashlight brand, Under Armor, Galco holsters and more.
They also have Luminox watches--the brand you need in low-light situations.
Using a Swiss, self-powered illumination system,making watches more visible and easier to read in low or no light situations.
If you are a procurement officer or if you have a large order please go to our purchase order area (left edge of screen) or call us at the above number.
LA Police Gear Inc is listed in the DoD CCR system and is classified as a small business - woman owned.
They provide support in operations worldwide. Concact them if your operation is "off the books" and you need gear for logistical support.
They take into consideration that shipping to active duty personnel can be difficult at times and claim several years of experience in the area, keep up to date with the latest requirements of the military mail system.
If you are at an APO or FPO address they can ship to you. Select USPS Priority Mail as your shipping option during check-out. LA Police Gear will ship your order via USPS Priority Mail.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Barack Obama: LAY OFF MY FAMILY!
On the same day that former GOP presidential contender Mike Huckabee told his party that demonizing Barack Obama is a 'fatal mistake,' Obama told a reporter from CBN news that the GOP needs to lay off his family. Click to read part of the transcript below and watch the interview. Obama told CBN News that he is deeply disappointed that John McCain has not spoken out against political
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
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