Saturday, October 31, 2015
Trick-or-Treat with the President and First Lady
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome area students and
the children of military families to the White House for
trick-or-treating on Halloween.
West Wing Week 10/30/15
This week, the President welcomed President Widodo of Indonesia, Prince
Harry of Wales, and the World Cup-winning U.S. Women's Soccer Team to
the White House. He also traveled to Chicago to talk with law
enforcement leaders on criminal justice reform and watch the Chicago
Bulls game.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Oval Office Chat: Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi of Iraq
President
Obama today spoke by phone with Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi to
discuss the political and security situation in Iraq and underscore the
United States'
enduring support for Iraq in its fight against ISIL. The President
commended the recent progress that Iraqi forces have made against ISIL
in Bayji and welcomed the ongoing campaign to isolate ISIL in Ramadi,
noting that the United States in partnership with
the Iraqi Government will intensify support for the Iraqi Security
Forces in these efforts. The President also voiced support for Prime
Minister al-Abadi's leadership in his efforts to combat corruption and
implement governance reforms critical to promoting
Iraq's political stability and economic prosperity. The two leaders
noted their full support for the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Counter
ISIL, emphasizing that both the United States and Iraq are fully
committed to partnering with the international community
to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL. They also reaffirmed their
commitment to the strategic partnership between the United States and
Iraq.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
Presidential Candidate Ben Carson in Lakewood, Colorado
Republican 2016 presidential candidate Ben Carson delivered remarks and
responded to audience questions at a campaign event at Colorado
Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Senator Bernie Sanders on Criminal Justice Reform
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
speaks on the Senate floor about the need to address criminal justice
reform by allowing states to legalize marijuana without federal
impediment and bringing an end to the death penalty.
Created by jeremyart
on October 29, 2015
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Discussion on Federal Reserve Interest Rate Policy
A panel of experts participate in a Brookings Institution forum on
the economy and what the Federal Reserve might do with interest rates in
the coming weeks. They also assess the economic impact of any rate
increases by the Fed.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Breedlove News Conference
NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Philip Breedlove speaks with
reporters at the Pentagon and responds to questions on a range of
security-related issues.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Working Women and Low-Wage Jobs
Elizabeth Shuler, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer, talked about an AFL-CIO initiative to address issues facing women in low-wage jobs.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Republican Party and Latino Voters
Daniel Garza, Executive Director of the Libre Initiative, talked about efforts by the Libre Initiative and other
conservative Latino groups to guide the tone of the Republican party
regarding Latinos and immigration issues ahead of the 2016 presidential
election.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
RNC Chairman Submits Letter to NBC News Suspending Debate Partnership
Mr. Andrew Lack
Chairman, NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112
Dear Mr. Lack,
I
write to inform you that pending further discussion between the
Republican National Committee (RNC) and our presidential campaigns, we
are suspending the partnership with NBC News for the Republican primary
debate at the University of Houston on February 26, 2016.
The RNC’s sole role in the primary debate process is to ensure that our
candidates are given a full and fair opportunity to lay out their
vision for America’s future. We simply cannot continue with NBC without
full consultation with our campaigns.
The CNBC network is one of
your media properties, and its handling of the debate was conducted in
bad faith. We understand that NBC does not exercise full editorial
control over CNBC’s journalistic approach. However, the network is an
arm of your organization, and we need to ensure there is not a repeat
performance.
CNBC billed the debate as one that would focus on
“the key issues that matter to all voters—job growth, taxes, technology,
retirement and the health of our national economy.” That was not the
case. Before the debate, the candidates were promised an opening
question on economic or financial matters. That was not the case.
Candidates were promised that speaking time would be carefully monitored
to ensure fairness. That was not the case. Questions were inaccurate or
downright offensive. The first question directed to one of our
candidates asked if he was running a comic book version of a
presidential campaign, hardly in the spirit of how the debate was
billed.
While debates are meant to include tough questions and
contrast candidates’ visions and policies for the future of America,
CNBC’s moderators engaged in a series of “gotcha” questions, petty and
mean-spirited in tone, and designed to embarrass our candidates. What
took place Wednesday night was not an attempt to give the American people a greater understanding of our candidates’ policies and ideas.
I
have tremendous respect for the First Amendment and freedom of the
press. However, I also expect the media to host a substantive debate on
consequential issues important to Americans. CNBC did not.
While
we are suspending our partnership with NBC News and its properties, we
still fully intend to have a debate on that day, and will ensure that
National Review remains part of it.
I will be working with our candidates to discuss how to move forward and will be in touch.
Sincerely,
Reince Priebus
Chairman, Republican National Committee
Source: Reince Priebus
Advocating for the Elderly: Claudine Halpern Talks About Her Passion
By Jaimie Blackman
Mom has been in the hospital for a few days. The doctor has
advised that we place her in a nursing home. How do I find a place that
will take good care of her?
Dad’s nursing home wants to kick him out. I feel like the facility is being unfair, but I don’t know how to intervene.
Mom keeps the oven on too long. She does her own cooking even though she shouldn’t, and I don’t know what to do?
Caring for your aging parents is often a difficult endeavor—one full
of challenges, questions and sometimes unpleasant surprises. As someone
who has lost their father to dementia, I can relate to the stress and
burden—both emotional and financial—of caring for an elderly parent.
I have known Jack Halpern for years through the Orion Resource Group,
an organization I’m actively involved in. Orion is made up of
professionals dedicated to bringing world class practices to the elder
care universe. Jack is CEO, and his wife is COO of MyElderAdvocate
(MEA), a unique organization that supports the elderly and their
families. Be it a bad fall or stroke, nursing home evictions, hospital
discharge placement, or long-term care planning, MEA advocates on behalf
of the elderly and their family, protecting them, providing peace of
mind, and ensuring proper care in every situation.
What is MyElderAdvocate?
“When there’s a crisis that needs intervention, we do that
intervention,” says Claudine Halpern, COO of MyElderAdvocate. As we sat
down to talk, I immediately noticed the passion she had for elder
advocacy. Claudine and Jack Halpern, are experts at solving elder care
crisis and providing elder advocate services.
Click here for the full article.
Source: BH Wealth Management
Obama Praises Both Parties on Budget Agreement
Statement by the President
I applaud the
Democrats and Republicans who came together this morning to pass a
responsible, long-term budget agreement that reflects our values, grows
our economy and creates jobs.
This agreement will strengthen the middle class by investing in education, job training, and basic research. It will keep us safe by investing in our national security. It protects our seniors by avoiding harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security. It is paid for in a responsible, balanced way – in part with a measure to ensure that partnerships like hedge funds pay what they owe in taxes just like everybody else. It locks in two years of funding and should help break the cycle of shutdowns and manufactured crises that have harmed our economy.
This agreement is a reminder that Washington can still choose to help, rather than hinder, America’s progress, and I look forward to signing it into law as soon as it reaches my desk. After that, Congress should build on this by getting to work on spending bills that invest in America’s priorities without getting sidetracked by ideological provisions that have no place in America’s budget process. If we can do that, we’ll help our workers and businesses keep growing the economy and building an America full of opportunity for all.
This agreement will strengthen the middle class by investing in education, job training, and basic research. It will keep us safe by investing in our national security. It protects our seniors by avoiding harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security. It is paid for in a responsible, balanced way – in part with a measure to ensure that partnerships like hedge funds pay what they owe in taxes just like everybody else. It locks in two years of funding and should help break the cycle of shutdowns and manufactured crises that have harmed our economy.
This agreement is a reminder that Washington can still choose to help, rather than hinder, America’s progress, and I look forward to signing it into law as soon as it reaches my desk. After that, Congress should build on this by getting to work on spending bills that invest in America’s priorities without getting sidetracked by ideological provisions that have no place in America’s budget process. If we can do that, we’ll help our workers and businesses keep growing the economy and building an America full of opportunity for all.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
"Flashback Friday": The Assassination of Malcolm X
Published on YouTube on Jun 26, 2014
Unedited
news footage taken at the time of the assassination of Malcolm X,
includes short clip of Malcolm X discussing the attempts made on his
life by the Nation of Islam and reactions to the death of Malcolm X.
Source: http://malcolmxfiles.blogspot.com/
Source: http://malcolmxfiles.blogspot.com/
Experts Reveal Key Tip to Finding Missing Children
A child advocate advises parents to take a photograph of their child anytime they go out to a busy venue.
Southern Methodist University Sororities Still Preach Segregation
By Charles D. Ellison
Sorority members allegedly claimed that black students are too ugly and lazy to get bids.
Layla Evette is a black student just trying to get by at a predominantly white school in the middle of Texas.
According to TV shows like Scream Queens, mixed-race sorority
life is no problem in 2015. When Evette found a different landscape at
Southern Methodist University, she decided to share her sorority-recruitment thoughts online.
Can a black girl get a break with white sororities?
Apparently not.
Click here for the full article.
Source: The Daily Beast
RushCard Vows to Compensate Prepaid Debit Card Users For Losses
The issuer of prepaid RushCard debit cards said
Thursday that it would compensate thousands of customers for losses
caused by a technical glitch left many cardholders unable to pay bills,
get cash or make purchases for weeks.
Consumer advocates say the ordeal highlights the
need for greater regulation of prepaid debit cards, which are mainly
used by people who don't have bank accounts and lack many of the
protections of credit and debit cards.
Click here for the full article and related video.
Source: NBC News
FDA Acts to Shut Down Tobacco Sales at Stores That Sell to Minors
The Food and Drug Administration says it started
action to shut down tobacco sales at eight shops that have repeatedly
sold products to kids under 18.
The stores — in New Jersey, Michigan, Missouri,
Maryland and Illinois — have 30 days to stop selling tobacco products or
appeal, the FDA said.
"The FDA plans to conduct unannounced compliance check inspections
during that period to check whether the establishment is complying with
the terms of the order," the agency said in a statement.
Click here for the full article.
Source: NBC News
Unhappy with Debates, GOP Campaigns to Meet Without RNC
Republican presidential campaigns are planning to meet Sunday in
Washington D.C. to discuss their frustrations with the primary debate
process, NBC News has confirmed.
But the meeting will not include the Republican
National Committee, which has worked with media organizations to help
plan the debates.
The weekend gathering was first reported by POLITICO.
Click here for the full article and related video.
First Read: As Rubio Ascends, Scrutiny Increases
First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC
Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why
they matter.
Marco Rubio takes center stage -- as the attacks and scrutiny increase
When the Republican presidential race first
started (and before Donald Trump and later Ben Carson took off), there
were three co-frontrunners -- Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, and Scott Walker.
Well, Walker dropped out of the contest in September. Bush now finds his
campaign on the ropes.
And that now leaves us with Rubio, who campaigns today in Iowa and who
very well might be your sole "establishment" frontrunner in the 2016
race. But, of course, with that new spotlight and designation come more
scrutiny and attacks. US News
got its hands on a 112-page report from the Bush campaign that's
largely an oppo dump on Rubio. One slide is entitled "Marco Is A Risky
Bet," and "it bullet-points Rubio's 'misuse of state party credit cards,
taxpayer funds and ties to scandal-tarred former Congressman David
Rivera.'… Another bullet point says Rubio's 'closeness with Norman
Braman, who doubles as personal benefactor[,] raises major ethical
questions.'… The most cryptic slight is left for last: 'Those who have
looked into Marco's background in the past have been concerned with what
they have found.'" Yet Beth Myers, who led Mitt Romney's VP vetting
process, emailed Politico
that Rubio "passed" the campaign's vetting (but Rubio ultimately wasn't
a top finalist to be Romney's VP pick). Our take: With this report to
U.S. News, is the Bush campaign doing ANOTHER favor for Rubio -- by
telegraphing the attacks coming his way? After all, we saw how that
played out in Wednesday's debate.
Click here for the full article.
Arrested For Kissing
A lesbian couple's lawsuit claims an off-duty Hawaii police officer
arrested them because of their public displays of affection in a
grocery store. KHNL's Allyson Blair reports.
Oregon Girl is 16th U.S. Plague Case This Year
A teenaged girl in Oregon is being treated for plague, state health officials say. She's the 16th U.S. case this year.
The highest annual number of plague cases in the U.S. this century was 17 cases in 2006.
"The girl is believed to have acquired the
disease from a flea bite during a hunting trip near Heppner in Morrow
County that started on Oct. 16," the health department said in a
statement on its website.
"She reportedly fell ill on Oct. 21 and was
hospitalized in Bend on Oct. 24. She is recovering in the hospital's
intensive care unit."
Click here for the full article.
Source: NBC News
Benedict Cumberbatch Backs Refugees: 'F*** the Politicians'
LONDON — Benedict Cumberbatch surprised
theater-goers by saying "f*** the politicians" during an impassioned
on-stage speech about Europe's refugee crisis, audience members told NBC News Friday.
The Oscar-nominated star had just finished a
performance of "Hamlet" at London's Barbican Centre when he criticized
the British government.
Click here for the full article.
Source: NBC News
Greece Says 22 Migrants Drown off Aegean Islands, 144 Rescued
Reuters, 30/10 14:43 CET
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece rescued 144
refugees and recovered the bodies of 22, including four infants and nine
children, after their boats sank in two separate incidents in the
Aegean sea, the coastguard said on Friday.
The death toll from drownings at sea has mounted recently
as weather in the Aegean has taken a turn for the worse, turning
wind-whipped sea corridors into deadly passages for thousands of
refugees crossing from Turkey to Greece.
Click here for summary.
Source: Euronews
U.N. Urged to Investigate ‘Strong Evidence’ of Rohingya Genocide in Myanmar
Reuters, 30/10 14:41 CET
By Alisa Tang
BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters
Foundation) – There is “strong evidence” that Myanmar has committed
genocide against Rohingya Muslims, according to a Yale law school report
that called for a United Nations commission of inquiry to focus world
leaders’ attention on abuses in western Rakhine state.
The Rohingya, a stateless ethnic Muslim minority that
lives in apartheid-like conditions in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar,
have faced worsening persecution and violence that has displaced 140,000
and spurred an exodus from the country by boat.
Fortify Rights, a campaign group focussing on the
Rohingya, said there are about 1 million Rohingya in Rakhine state and
at least 160,000 have fled since 2012.
Yale’s Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights
Clinic analysed research conducted by Fortify Rights and Al Jazeera, to
see if genocide had been committed as defined by the 1948 U.N. genocide
convention.
Click here for the full article.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
The President Meets with His Royal Highness Prince Harry of the United Kingdom
President Obama welcomes His Royal Highness Prince Harry to the Oval Office at the White House. October 28, 2015
Representative Paul Ryan Remarks on his Election as House Speaker
Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) delivers remarks on his vision for the
House under his leadership as speaker. Members elected him to replace
Representative John Boehner (R-OH) as the 54th speaker of the House in a
236-196 vote.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Remarks on Paul Ryan's Election as House Speaker
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) welcomes Representative Paul
Ryan (R-WI) as the 54th speaker of the House. She talks about his
congressional career and says, "A page has been turned; a new chapter
has begun." The chamber elected him to the position in a 236-196 vote.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
House Speaker John Boehner Farewell Address
Outgoing House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) delivers his final remarks
on the floor before the chamber votes to select his successor. He
speaks about his background and his accomplishments as speaker.
Representative Boehner is also stepping down from his House seat October 31.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Superstorm Sandy: Governor Cuomo Reflects, Issues Report Detaling State Efforts
Governor Andrew Cuomo today commemorated
the three-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy and released a report
detailing the continued progress made by New York State. It underscores
the advancements made in rebuilding homes, businesses, and large-scale
infrastructure projects in communities and neighborhoods, as spearheaded
by the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery. View the report here.
The Governor also called for a moment of silence this evening in honor of the 61 men and women who lost their lives to the storm’s impact in New York State. This moment of silence will occur at 8:00 p.m. on Oct. 29, marking the approximate time when the storm surge first began in New York City.
“As we approach the three-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, I ask all New Yorkers to remember those who were lost and those whose lives were forever changed by this terrible storm,” said Governor Cuomo. “As a state, we are not just rebuilding what was before – we are making our communities safer and smarter, and rising to meet the challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather. We are seizing every opportunity to reimagine New York to be stronger and more resilient for generations to come.”
Since its creation by the Governor in June 2013, the Office of Storm Recovery has assisted more than 10,000 New Yorkers to rebuild and repair their homes, awarded $41.3 million in grants to small businesses, and facilitated the proposal of approximately 700 projects through the grassroots NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program.
The Governor also called for a moment of silence this evening in honor of the 61 men and women who lost their lives to the storm’s impact in New York State. This moment of silence will occur at 8:00 p.m. on Oct. 29, marking the approximate time when the storm surge first began in New York City.
“As we approach the three-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, I ask all New Yorkers to remember those who were lost and those whose lives were forever changed by this terrible storm,” said Governor Cuomo. “As a state, we are not just rebuilding what was before – we are making our communities safer and smarter, and rising to meet the challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather. We are seizing every opportunity to reimagine New York to be stronger and more resilient for generations to come.”
Since its creation by the Governor in June 2013, the Office of Storm Recovery has assisted more than 10,000 New Yorkers to rebuild and repair their homes, awarded $41.3 million in grants to small businesses, and facilitated the proposal of approximately 700 projects through the grassroots NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program.
The report released today also highlights
several large-scale infrastructure projects, including Living with the
Bay in Nassau County and Living Breakwaters in Staten Island− being
implemented through the federal Rebuild By Design Competition.
On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy struck the New York metropolitan region, causing unprecedented damage to as many as 300,000 housing units, disrupting power for two million utility customers, and affecting various methods of transportation (including roads and public transportation systems). A total of 61 individuals died throughout the state as a result of the storm, which came less than a year after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
Governor Cuomo tasked the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery to drive statewide recovery and invest into the communities hit hardest the $4.4 billion made available after Superstorm Sandy through the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program.
“From the earliest days of the State’s recovery, we recognized that we could not make every decision from Albany,” said Interim Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery, Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Setting out to balance top-down strategies with a range of grassroots, bottom-up approaches, we have sought to empower New Yorkers− and the communities in which they live and work− to participate in this important process. Today we remember all those affected by Superstorm Sandy, and reiterate our commitment to yielding a stronger, more resilient future.”
On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy struck the New York metropolitan region, causing unprecedented damage to as many as 300,000 housing units, disrupting power for two million utility customers, and affecting various methods of transportation (including roads and public transportation systems). A total of 61 individuals died throughout the state as a result of the storm, which came less than a year after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
Governor Cuomo tasked the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery to drive statewide recovery and invest into the communities hit hardest the $4.4 billion made available after Superstorm Sandy through the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program.
“From the earliest days of the State’s recovery, we recognized that we could not make every decision from Albany,” said Interim Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery, Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Setting out to balance top-down strategies with a range of grassroots, bottom-up approaches, we have sought to empower New Yorkers− and the communities in which they live and work− to participate in this important process. Today we remember all those affected by Superstorm Sandy, and reiterate our commitment to yielding a stronger, more resilient future.”
While the report is not intended to be a
comprehensive listing of each and every recovery effort, it serves to
emphasize key actions and programmatic accomplishments that have been
realized in the last year. It also aims to stress the State’s main
ongoing themes, which have been to 1) Address immediate needs while
focusing on the future; 2) Cut red tape; 3) Come back stronger than
before; 4) Take a community-wide and regional perspective; and 5) Use a
ground-up approach.
More information can be found at http://stormrecovery.ny.gov/.
More information can be found at http://stormrecovery.ny.gov/.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
$6.5 Million Awarded for Crime Victims Programs Across New York State
$6.5 million in additional funding has been
awarded to programs that assist crime victims across the state. The
federal funding will support 172 providers administering 226 programs
that provide counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy and legal
assistance, among other services. In total, victim assistance programs
are receiving $43.8 million in federal funding for 2015-16.
“This funding helps ensure that people who are the victims of a crime can receive the support and assistance they need to recover,” said Governor Cuomo. “The organizations that receive this funding provide critically important services in communities across our state, and I am proud that our administration, with the help of our Congressional delegation, is supporting their missions.”
The state Office of Victim Services administers the grant funding for the programs, which are operated by non-profit organizations, hospitals and law enforcement agencies. Victim assistance programs typically receive a modest funding increase during their three-year contracts, but as a result of congressional action, they each received 15 percent more than anticipated in funding.
Governor Cuomo announced the funding as the Office of Victim Services is hosting a three-day conference in Syracuse for professionals from victim assistance programs funded by the agency. More than 400 professionals from across the state are attending the conference, which includes presentations by survivors of crime, workshops and panel discussions with an emphasis on trauma-related services for victims, caregivers and providers. There also will be a screening of The Hunting Ground, a documentary on the problematic handling of sexual assault cases on college campuses.
“This funding helps ensure that people who are the victims of a crime can receive the support and assistance they need to recover,” said Governor Cuomo. “The organizations that receive this funding provide critically important services in communities across our state, and I am proud that our administration, with the help of our Congressional delegation, is supporting their missions.”
The state Office of Victim Services administers the grant funding for the programs, which are operated by non-profit organizations, hospitals and law enforcement agencies. Victim assistance programs typically receive a modest funding increase during their three-year contracts, but as a result of congressional action, they each received 15 percent more than anticipated in funding.
Governor Cuomo announced the funding as the Office of Victim Services is hosting a three-day conference in Syracuse for professionals from victim assistance programs funded by the agency. More than 400 professionals from across the state are attending the conference, which includes presentations by survivors of crime, workshops and panel discussions with an emphasis on trauma-related services for victims, caregivers and providers. There also will be a screening of The Hunting Ground, a documentary on the problematic handling of sexual assault cases on college campuses.
Office of Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin said,
“Whether it is providing temporary housing for a domestic violence
survivor or counseling for an abused child, these programs provide a
critical role in helping crime victims negotiate the road to recovery.
As a former prosecutor, I’ve seen first-hand the challenges crime
victims face and the struggle they endure on a daily basis. This funding
will further enhance the vital services they depend on as they try to
get their lives back on track.”
A complete list of the organizations and agencies that provide services to crime victims in each of the state’s 62 counties can be found here. In 2014, crime victim assistance programs funded by the Office of Victim Services served nearly 265,000 people across New York.
The funding cycle for the $43.8 million in grants aligns with the federal budget year (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30). The majority of the funding comes from the federal Victims of Crime Act and the New York Victim and Witness Assistance Grant Program's Criminal Justice Improvement Account, where all of the funding is the result of fines, fees and surcharges paid by certain offenders convicted in federal or state courts. State funds comprise the remaining 5 percent.
A complete list of the organizations and agencies that provide services to crime victims in each of the state’s 62 counties can be found here. In 2014, crime victim assistance programs funded by the Office of Victim Services served nearly 265,000 people across New York.
The funding cycle for the $43.8 million in grants aligns with the federal budget year (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30). The majority of the funding comes from the federal Victims of Crime Act and the New York Victim and Witness Assistance Grant Program's Criminal Justice Improvement Account, where all of the funding is the result of fines, fees and surcharges paid by certain offenders convicted in federal or state courts. State funds comprise the remaining 5 percent.
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said,
“While we must do all we can to prevent crimes and domestic violence
from happening in the first place, we also must do what we can to take
care of those who have been victimized. Fortunately, there are
organizations across New York that provide invaluable services to those
who have been victims of crime and violence. This $6.5 million in
federal funding will help make sure these victims have access to legal
assistance, counseling and other programs, and I will continue to fight
to ensure organizations like these have the resources they need to
continue their important work.”
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter said, “No one ever plans to be the victim of a crime. When such tragedy occurs, a helping hand can be absolutely critical to helping survivors to recover and communities to heal. As the original co-author of the Violence Against Women Act and a longtime advocate for those who have fallen victim to crime, I have seen how these services provide a vital lifeline to individuals and families. That’s why I’m so proud to support these critical programs and the lives they transform.”
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter said, “No one ever plans to be the victim of a crime. When such tragedy occurs, a helping hand can be absolutely critical to helping survivors to recover and communities to heal. As the original co-author of the Violence Against Women Act and a longtime advocate for those who have fallen victim to crime, I have seen how these services provide a vital lifeline to individuals and families. That’s why I’m so proud to support these critical programs and the lives they transform.”
The Office of Victim Services provides a
safety net for individuals and/or their family members who have been
victimized through no fault of their own and have no other means of
assistance. It is a payer of last resort: all other sources of
assistance, such as medical insurance and workers compensation, must be
exhausted before the agency can pay a victim or their family members for
any out-of-pocket losses related to the crime. Last year, the Office of
Victim Services provided more than $20 million in compensation to
assist crime victims and their families.
For more information about services offered by OVS, including eligibility guidelines and a list of crime victims assistance programs that currently receive funding, visit www.ovs.ny.gov or call 1-800-247-8035.
For more information about services offered by OVS, including eligibility guidelines and a list of crime victims assistance programs that currently receive funding, visit www.ovs.ny.gov or call 1-800-247-8035.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Cuomo Announces Halloween Crackdown on Impaired Drivers
The New York State Police, as well as local
and county law enforcement agencies, will increase patrols to crack down
on drunk driving and underage drinking this Halloween weekend. The
special traffic enforcement detail will begin on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 and continue through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2009 to 2013, 43 percent of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes across the U.S. on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 – 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1) were in crashes involving a drunk driver. Trick-or-treaters, their friends and loved ones are also at risk on Halloween night, with 19 percent of fatal pedestrian crashes (2009-2013) involving drunk drivers. As Halloween falls on a Saturday night this year, state and local law enforcement will be out in full force and extra vigilant in their efforts to protect families and their loved ones on New York’s roads.
“This weekend, we are ramping up our enforcement efforts in order to prevent needless tragedies and keep people safe,” said Governor Cuomo. “It’s simple: if you’re planning to drink, use public transportation or a designated driver. I urge New Yorkers to make the right choice this weekend so that everyone can have a safe and happy Halloween.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2009 to 2013, 43 percent of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes across the U.S. on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 – 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1) were in crashes involving a drunk driver. Trick-or-treaters, their friends and loved ones are also at risk on Halloween night, with 19 percent of fatal pedestrian crashes (2009-2013) involving drunk drivers. As Halloween falls on a Saturday night this year, state and local law enforcement will be out in full force and extra vigilant in their efforts to protect families and their loved ones on New York’s roads.
“This weekend, we are ramping up our enforcement efforts in order to prevent needless tragedies and keep people safe,” said Governor Cuomo. “It’s simple: if you’re planning to drink, use public transportation or a designated driver. I urge New Yorkers to make the right choice this weekend so that everyone can have a safe and happy Halloween.”
Motorists that are traveling this weekend
can expect to see a number of sobriety checkpoints and additional
patrols. Troopers will also conduct a special enforcement detail to
crack down on the sale of alcohol to minors.
State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, “Halloween can be fun, but it can also turn tragic if people get behind the wheel after drinking. Children will be out walking after dark and drivers need to exercise extreme caution. Never drink and drive. Troopers will be out in force making sure this Halloween is a safe one on the roads."
Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated. The initiative is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, “Halloween can be fun, but it can also turn tragic if people get behind the wheel after drinking. Children will be out walking after dark and drivers need to exercise extreme caution. Never drink and drive. Troopers will be out in force making sure this Halloween is a safe one on the roads."
Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated. The initiative is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
“We want this and every Halloween to be a
fun time that creates happy memories, and not see it marred by needless
tragedy,” said Chuck DeWeese, Assistant Commissioner for the Governor's
Traffic Safety Committee. “Drive safely if you are going out, as there
will be children trick or treating into the evening. If you’re going to a
Halloween party and plan to drink, have a designated driver or make
other arrangements for getting home safely. Let’s make this a safe and
happy Halloween for everyone.”
During last year’s Halloween initiative there were more than 720 crashes that killed three people and injured more than 150 others. Troopers arrested 195 people for DWI and issued more than 9,700 tickets for speeding, distracted driving and other traffic violations. Choosing to drive drunk can ruin or end your life or someone else’s. This Halloween, if you drink and drive, you may face jail time, the loss of your license, higher insurance rates, and many other unanticipated expenses. An impaired driving charge carries a maximum fine of $10,000.
The New York State Police and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee ask that you to follow these easy steps to enjoy a safe Halloween without jeopardizing lives on the road.
During last year’s Halloween initiative there were more than 720 crashes that killed three people and injured more than 150 others. Troopers arrested 195 people for DWI and issued more than 9,700 tickets for speeding, distracted driving and other traffic violations. Choosing to drive drunk can ruin or end your life or someone else’s. This Halloween, if you drink and drive, you may face jail time, the loss of your license, higher insurance rates, and many other unanticipated expenses. An impaired driving charge carries a maximum fine of $10,000.
The New York State Police and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee ask that you to follow these easy steps to enjoy a safe Halloween without jeopardizing lives on the road.
1. Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
2. Before you start drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
3. If
you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or
use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
4. If available, use your community’s sober ride program.
5. Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
6. If you see a drunk driver on the road, call local law enforcement. You could save a life.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
'Meetings with Monaco': Human Rights and Civil Liberties Advocates
Lisa Monaco
Assistant
to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa O.
Monaco and Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security
Advisor Avril D. Haines met
yesterday with human rights and civil liberties advocates as well as
legal experts to discuss issues related to transparency regarding
counterterrorism operations and the use of force by the United States.
They discussed advocates’ and legal experts’ ideas
to provide more public awareness about the policies, legal
justifications, and results of U.S. counterterrorism operations. Ms.
Monaco and Ms. Haines expressed the Administration’s continued
commitment to making available to the public as much information
as possible about U.S. counterterrorism operations and the use of force
overseas.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
Advance Estimate of GDP for the Third Quarter of 2015
Jason Furman
WASHINGTON,
DC – Jason Furman, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, issued
the following statement today on the advance estimate of GDP for the
third quarter of 2015.
Economic
growth in the third quarter reflected the combination of solid domestic
demand and volatile transitory factors. Personal consumption continued
to grow at a solid pace, while inventory investment slowed sharply and
net exports were largely neutral for overall growth. Over the past year,
slowing global demand has been a headwind for the U.S. economy, and
unnecessary austerity and fiscal brinkmanship have posed unnecessary
risks for consumer spending and business investment. That’s why this
week’s budget agreement is a particularly important step—adding an
estimated 340,000 jobs in 2016, reducing uncertainty, and enabling
productivity-enhancing investments. But there is more work to do to
foster long-term growth, including increasing investments in
infrastructure, reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, and opening new
markets for our exporters through high-standards free-trade agreements
like the Trans-Pacific Partnership. We look forward to continuing to
work with Congress to make progress on these important priorities.
FIVE KEY POINTS IN TODAY'S REPORT FROM THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS (BEA)
1. Real
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose 1.5 percent at an annual rate in the
third quarter, according to the BEA’s advance estimate. In
the third quarter, GDP grew at a slower pace than in the second, with
much of the difference attributable to a large decline in inventory
investment—one of the most volatile components of economic output—which
subtracted 1.4 percentage points from overall growth. Personal
consumption spending continued to grow at a robust pace, rising 3.2
percent at an annual rate in the third quarter. Reduced oil drilling
continued to weigh on business investment, subtracting from overall
growth. Exports grew in the third quarter but at a subdued pace, likely
reflecting weaker foreign demand. Export growth remains considerably
slower than the pace observed earlier in the recovery. Overall, GDP rose
2.0 percent over the past four quarters.
(Click on graphs to increase their size.)
2. The “fiscal drag” that subtracted from GDP growth from 2011 to 2013 has eased in recent years, a positive development that will be further supported by this week’s federal budget deal. From 2011 through 2013, declining government spending subtracted an average of 0.5 percentage point per year from GDP growth. Most of that drag is attributable to lower federal spending. At the same time, increased uncertainty as a result of fiscal brinkmanship may have further hurt consumer spending and business investment. Since the Murray-Ryan budget agreement in 2013 relieved a portion of the sequester over 2014 and 2015, this fiscal drag has diminished. Government spending has been a positive contributor on average since then, and fiscal brinkmanship has been reduced. The two-year budget agreement announced this week totals 0.2 percent of GDP or nearly 90 percent of the discretionary sequester relief proposed by the President for FY 2016, and it will help continue to avoid unnecessary fiscal drag in the years to come while also increasing certainty for businesses and consumers.
3. Net
exports have subtracted 0.7 percentage point from GDP growth over the
past four quarters, reflecting the continued headwinds from slowing
foreign growth on U.S. exports. The volume of U.S. exports to foreign countries is heavily sensitive to foreign GDP growth. Indeed,
year-over-year foreign GDP growth—when weighting countries by the
volume of their annual trade with the United States—explains much of the
variance in U.S. export growth. To the extent that the global slowdown
persists, it will likely continue to weigh on U.S. export growth, as it
has over the past year. In the third quarter, export growth continued to
slow and remains lower than the pace observed earlier in the recovery;
net exports did not contribute to overall growth in this quarter. The
sensitivity of our exports to foreign demand—especially in an
environment where foreign demand is slowing—underscores the importance
of reducing trade barriers and opening foreign markets to our exports.
4. The recent strength in personal consumption growth reflects a disproportionate contribution from spending on durable goods. Goods
consumption accounts for only about one third of total consumer
spending. But goods have contributed disproportionately to spending
growth in this recovery, contributing half of consumption growth since
mid-2009. As in many recoveries, durable goods consumption has
been particularly strong—accounting for only 12 percent of total
consumption but 30 percent of consumption growth throughout this
recovery. The disproportionate strength of durable goods consumption was
apparent in this third quarter, as durable goods consumption accounted
for more than 20 percent of consumption growth. The strength in durable
goods consumption reflects an especially fast pace of purchases of
big-ticket items like automobiles, and is consistent with the current
high levels of consumer confidence and improved consumer balance sheets.
5. Real
private domestic final purchases (PDFP)—the sum of consumption and
fixed investment—rose 3.2 percent at an annual rate in the third quarter
and is growing at a faster year-over-year pace than overall GDP. Real PDFP—which excludes noisier components like net exports, inventories, and government spending—is generally a more reliable indicator of next-quarter GDP growth than current GDP.
PDFP aims to measure signals of future economic growth by eliminating
some of the noisy components in GDP. However, to the extent that
systematic patterns emerge in global growth, for example, the
information contained in net exports may contain an important signal
about the headwinds we face from abroad (see point 3). The especially
large gap between PDFP growth and GDP growth over the past four quarters
is attributable to both net exports and inventory investment, an
especially volatile category of spending.
As
the Administration stresses every quarter, GDP figures can be volatile
and are subject to substantial revision. Therefore, it is important not
to read too much into any single report, and it is informative to
consider each report in the context of other data that are becoming
available.
Lamestream GOP Moderators’ Total Debate Fail
By Lloyd Grove
From silly and inaccurate
questions to just plain awkward interruptions, Team CNBC stumbled in
Boulder—and was absolutely clobbered by the Republican presidential
field for it.
People
will argue about which Republican presidential candidate came out on
top in Wednesday night’s CNBC debate in Boulder, Colorado, but it was
pretty clear who lost.
The mainstream media—as represented by the business cable network’s
principal moderators, Carl Quintanilla, Becky Quick, and especially John
Harwood—took it on the chin as candidate after candidate, to hearty
applause from the partisan audience at the University of Colorado,
pointed out that their questions were inaccurate, unfair, or otherwise
plain silly.
“Are we truly talking about fantasy football?” New Jersey Gov. Chris
Christie demanded after Quintanilla asked former Florida governor Jeb
Bush whether the online sports industry should be regulated as a
gambling enterprise by the federal government.
“Seriously,” Christie continued, noting that the topic was hardly worthy
of a presidential debate, where issues of war and peace, the runaway
deficit, and the economy should be center stage. It was difficult to
disagree with him.
Click here for the full article.
Source: The Daily Beast
Bernie Sanders’ ‘Democratic Socialism’
A
lot is being made, both pro and con, of Bernie Sanders’ most honest declaration
that he is a “Democratic Socialist.” To his credit he has not backed away
from that statement in the face of the totally expected red-baiting coming from
the Repubs., led at this
time by Trump.
Among the best responses would be:
“Some people say I’m old (I don’t). But nothing’s older than that one,
nor as meaningless,” or “Is that all you’ve got, Don? Try
again.”
But
let’s dissect Bernie’s “socialism,” to see what it really is. At the bedrock of
the historical definition of socialism stand “collective ownership of the means
of production,” “production for use, not for profit,” and in the Leninist sense,
“concentration of state power in the hands of the working class and their
representatives.” Not making any value judgments here, but Bernie’s “democratic
socialism” simply does not qualify as “socialism” in terms of its historical
definition. (I
have
further defined “socialism” in its historical sense elsewhere.)
Further, Bernie has made it clear that if he does not get the nomination he will
not challenge the Democratic Party’s candidate, who will surely have the
ruling class’ imprimatur. So he is committed to staying within that boundary.
Nor does he advocate the nationalization of any industries currently held
in private hands. Nor will he
challenge any of the major elements of the current ruling class’ foreign
policy (although he might tinker with it a bit, here and
there).
Bernie’
“socialism” focuses
primarily on domestic
policy and is nothing more nor less than the New Deal on steroids. (And sorry,
Don T.. that just ain’t really very Red.) Indeed under various forms of
“Democratic Socialism” in Western Europe, going back 100 years to Karl Kautsky
of the German Socialist Party (SPD) and beyond, it serves/is-a-form-of
capitalism, one in which the government plays an important role in the political
economy. In fact, in all of the capitalist countries in Western Europe, in some
of them going back more than a century, under democratic
socialism the government indeed has a major role to play in the
economy and in providing the underpinning for capitalist enterprise.
But the capitalist ruling class has never given up its ownership of the
central elements of the means of production. Nor has it turned over its control
of the state apparatus to the working class or its
representatives.
Otto
von Bismarck (without the Prussian Army’s spiked helmet): Already in the late
19th century, a rancid feudalist like Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor, granted
health benefits to the working class that Americans can only dream about. He did
it because the German workers didn’t beg, they fought.
Under
working class pressure in Europe the ruling classes have provided certain
benefits to the workers, going as far back as the 1880s. For example, at that
time the Prussian Empire instituted what became the first national health
insurance program in history. In his speech introducing his program to the
Reichstag (Prussian parliament), Chancellor von Bismarck said words to the
effect of: “the workers are revolting; we had better give them
something.”
“Bernie’
“socialism” focuses primarily on domestic policy and is nothing more nor less
than the New Deal on steroids…”
Thus
Bernie is certainly not a socialist in the Marxist/Engelsian sense and he makes
no claims to be. He is a “social democrat” in the (underlying capitalist)
European sense, and also has a strong interest in certain issues of social
justice that are peculiarly U.S.
Over
time, central and western European governments, especially those subject to
major trade union, and at one time Communist and Socialist Party, pressure have
taken major roles in such realms as: transportation, environmental
protection, infrastructure, social insurance, social supports, regulation
of working conditions, national health insurance, and regulation of the finance
sector. But that did not make those countries socialist, even though the term
“social democratic” has been applied to them. Indeed, the more correct term
would be something like “social capitalist” or “national interest
capitalist.”
Indeed,
for the most part, the social democrats in Western Europe have served the
underlying interests of their own capitalist ruling classes ever since Kautsky
led the SPD to support war credits for the Kaiser at the beginning of the First
World War in 1914. In our own time, Bernie was certainly strongly against the
Wars on Viet Nam and Iraq, but other aspects of his current foreign policy
positions, whether driven by ideology or political expediency/necessity
(depending upon your point of view), are hardly “socialist” in any sense of the
word. Socialists (rather than social democrats) in the United
States of course have had a very different history.
But
I don’t think that we should judge Bernie on something that he is clearly not
and does not claim to be. We can criticize him on a variety of grounds, perhaps
most importantly for prompting, inadvertently or not, the myth that achieving
his program(s) is something that is actually achievable in the present United
Sates with its present ruling class.
Finally,
the Sanders candidacy can be of great use to the true Left in the United States.
He puts forth a whole set of policies and programs that he could never get
through the Congress, even with “Democratic” majorities. Of course through
Repub. manipulation of the electoral process and the underlying non-democratic
nature of the U.S. federalist government (see the disproportionate make-up of
the Senate, originally designed to protect the interests of the slaveholding
states for openers) we are hardly likely to see those anytime soon, certainly in
the House. In one way or another the U.S. ruling class would make sure of that.
But the true Left in the United States could use Bernie’s platform to say to the
workers and their allies, “we are going to need something quite different from
the present form of state/government if we are ever going to catch up even with
the still-capitalist countries of Europe.” More on these matters
anon.
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Senior
Editor, Politics,
Steven Jonas, MD, MPH is a Professor Emeritus of Preventive Medicine at Stony
Brook University (NY) and author/co-author/editor/co-
He is the Editorial Director and a Contributing Author for
TPJmagazine.us. Further, he is an occasional Contributor to
TheHarderStuff newsletter, BuzzFlash Commentary,
and Dandelion Salad. Dr. Jonas’ latest book is The 15% Solution: How the Republican
Religious Right Took Control of the U.S., 1981-2022: A Futuristic
Novel, Brewster, NY, Trepper & Katz Impact Books,
Punto Press Publishing, 2013, and available on Amazon .
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