The pontiff details new changes that will make it easier for the world's billion Catholics to annul their marriages.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Ray Kelly, Former NYPD Commissioner, Releases New Memoir 'Vigilance'
Kelly was the longest-serving police commissioner in New York City history, and spent over 45 years in the NYPD.
Second Review Finds Classified Material Was in Hillary Clinton Email: Report
A second intelligence review of two emails that Hillary Rodham
Clinton received on her personal email account as secretary of state has
found that they contained highly classified information, The New York
Times reported.
The Times, citing unnamed senior intelligence officials, reported late Monday
that the review concluded the emails were "Top Secret" when they were
sent to Clinton in 2009 and 2011. One concerned North Korea's nuclear
weapons program, the newspaper said.
First Read: Reboot Time for the 2016 Establishment Candidates
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.
It's reboot time for the establishment 2016 frontrunners
Our new NBC/Marist polls of Iowa and New Hampshire
underscore how BAD the summer was for the establishment frontrunners in
the presidential race. In Iowa, Hillary Clinton's lead is down to 11
points from 29 (!!!) in April, and she's now trailing Bernie Sanders in
New Hampshire. Both Jeb Bush and Scott Walker have gone from
double-digit support in the two states to single digits now. And Marco
Rubio is at 4% in Iowa and just 3% in New Hampshire. So while today's New York Times story is about the reboot for Hillary Clinton's campaign, all of the other onetime frontrunners need reboots, too.
- Hillary Clinton: As she looks to change the storyline from her emails and declining poll numbers, Clinton is emphasizing women's issues and her foreign-policy record (see her Iran speech this week);
- Jeb Bush: Per NBC's Jordan Frasier, he's going up with TV ads in New Hampshire, and the Super PAC Right to Rise is going up as well. And he's unveiling his tax plan on Wednesday;
- Scott Walker: "Feeling the urgency of an ever more difficult campaign, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is heading to Eureka College — alma mater of his idol Ronald Reagan — on Thursday to launch a blistering attack on Washington politics and lay out how he would set in motion his potential presidency," the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes;
- Marco Rubio: It's time to start translating his high ceiling into actual support.
Ben Carson Could Eclipse Donald Trump at the Front of the GOP Pack
Donald Trump may be the loudest voice in the
Republican presidential field, but on his heels is the candidate quietly
surging to the front of the pack: Ben Carson.
Those spoiling for a fight between the two
candidates may be disappointed. Even if Trump attacks, "we have pledged
amongst ourselves to not return fire," said Carson's communications
director Doug Watts.
As Carson prepares for campaign events in
California this week, both he and Trump sit among the top three in the
early states of Iowa and New Hampshire. Both are battling for support
among two key Republican constituencies: evangelical Christians and Tea
Party backers. Yet of all the contenders in the Republican field, only
Carson beats Trump in a head-to-head matchup, according to a recent
Monmouth University poll.
Click here for the full article.
Ted Cruz Heads to Kentucky to Support Kim Davis
Sen. Ted Cruz is heading to Kentucky Tuesday to visit Kim Davis, the
jailed county clerk whose case has become a political lightning rod in
the Republican presidential primary and a rallying point for social
conservative candidates.
Cruz is personally going to show his support for
Davis, who was sent to jail for refusing to issue same-sex marriage
licenses because of her religious opposition, because he "is going to be
doing everything in his power to ensure more Americans don't become
victim to religious persecution by the government," an aide to the
campaign said.
Click here for the full article.
Ukraine Still Faces Threat of Russian Military Offensive – Poroshenko
Reuters, 08/09 15:35 CET
By Pavel Polityuk and Natalia Zinets
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine still
faces the threat of a full-scale Russian military attack despite several
days of relative calm on the front-lines of the east where government
forces confront Russian-backed separatists, President Petro Poroshenko
said on Tuesday.
Poroshenko comments at a government meeting come amid
signs of discord in the governing coalition over his peace efforts and
disenchantment over falling living standards and economic hardship.
Russia’s aim is to “strangle our state economically and
destabilise it,” he said, referring to a Russian ban on Ukrainian food
imports and a failure to agree on a new price structure for Russian gas
imports which has left Ukraine’s storage levels dangerously low as
winter approaches.
Moscow is also now insisting Kiev repays a $3 billion
bond in full in December, disassociating itself from an agreement by
other of Ukraine’s creditors to ease repayment conditions on its huge
foreign commercial debt.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
Burundi Opposition Official Shot Dead in the Capital – Witnesses
Patrice Gahungu
Reuters, 08/09 15:50 CET
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Gunmen have shot dead
an opposition official in Burundi, witnesses said on Tuesday, the latest
in a spate of killings after the disputed re-election of President
Pierre Nkurunziza.
Witnesses heard gunshots in the capital Bujumbura’s
Gasenyi district on Monday evening and then found Patrice Gahungu, a
spokesman for the opposition UPD Zigamibanga party, dead in his car. A police officer said he was shot near his home.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
Iraq’s Deputy Justice Minister Kidnapped in Baghdad – Sources
Reuters, 08/09 15:32 CET
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s deputy justice
minister was kidnapped from his vehicle on Tuesday by black-clad gunmen
in a north Baghdad district, three security sources said, the second
high-profile abduction in the capital in less than a week.
Click here for the summary.
Source: Euronews
Venezuela Extends Colombia Border Closure, Sends 3,000 More Troops
By Diego Ore
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela
has extended a partial border shutdown with Colombia and sent another
3,000 troops to the area in a crime crackdown that has sent thousands of
Colombians fleeing their adopted homeland and led to accusations of
rights abuses.
The dispute has also created a diplomatic blow-up between
President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government and the conservative
administration of Juan Manuel Santos in Colombia.
Critics say Maduro is creating a distraction and playing
the nationalist card before a December parliamentary election in which
polls show his ruling Socialist Party in trouble.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
Monday, September 7, 2015
The President Speaks at the Labor Day Breakfast in Boston
President Obama delivers remarks at the Greater Boston Labor Council Labor Day Breakfast.
Lt. Calvin Spann, Tuskegee Airman, Dies
Calvin Spann, a New Jersey native and one of the original Tuskegee airmen, died Sunday at his home in Texas. He was 90.
Spann,
who was born Nov. 28, 1924, and grew up in Rutherford, volunteered for
the Army Air Corps and was sent to Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1943 to start
aviation cadet training. He was sent to Italy as a replacement combat
pilot after completing his training.
Lt. Spann flew 26 combat missions over Nazi Germany.
Click here for details on Lt. Spann's life and accomplishments.
Source: NBC News
Helen Burns Jackson, a Matriarch in the Civil Rights Movement, Dead at 91
Helen Burns Jackson with her son, Rev. Jesse Jackson
Statement from the Reverend Al Sharpton
NEW YORK (September 7, 2015) – Rev. Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network (NAN),
released the following statement on Helen Burns Jackson:
"The
passing of Helen Burns Jackson is a loss to all of us who grew up under
the mentorship of her son Rev. Jesse Jackson and were lucky enough to
have experienced her overriding encouragement.
She was undoubtedly a deeply spiritual and compassionate woman and a
freedom fighter in her own right.
"I have
known her since I was 13 years old as her son’s youth director in New
York, and as I grew in age, we never lost contact and she never stopped
encouraging and advising those of us
in the civil rights movement. She was the matriarch of the movement in
the 70’s and 80’s and up until now. I visited her with Rev. Jackson last
Monday in the hospital and saw her weakening condition but that does
not lessen the sense of loss upon hearing of
her transition. May she rest in peace."
Source: The National Action Network
Washington Journal: Harry Alford on Minority-Owned Businesses
National Black Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Harry Alford
discusses the status of minority-owned businesses in the U.S., as well
as the possible impact of proposed environmental and financial
regulations on minority communities.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Larry Lessig Announces He is Running for President
After raising $1 million, the Harvard professor and activist declares his candidacy on "This Week."
Mike Huckabee Defends Actions of Jailed Kentucky County Clerk
The Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor explains why he's supporting Kim Davis.
Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis Appeals Contempt Ruling Keeping Her in Jail
A Kentucky county clerk has appealed a judge's decision to put her
in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Attorneys for Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis
officially appealed the ruling to the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
on Sunday. The three page motion does not include arguments as to why
Davis should be released but amends Davis' earlier appeal of the judge's
order.
Davis objects to same-sex marriage for religious
reasons and stopped issuing all marriage licenses in June after the
U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide. Two gay couples
and two straight couples sued her. U.S. District Judge David Bunning
ordered Davis to issue the licenses and the Supreme Court upheld his
ruling.
But Davis still refused to do it, saying she could not betray her conscience.
Click here for the full article and related video.
New York State Senator: 'Even Madonna’s Brother Supports Kim Davis'
By Senator Rev. Rubén DÃaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York
You should know that Ms. Kim Davis
is a devout Christian who works as the County Clerk in Rowan County, Kentucky,
and was put in jail last week after refusing to issue marriage licenses
to homosexual couples.
You should also know that on September
5, 2015, an article was written by
Ryan Gajewski and published on the Hollywood Reporter
website.
The article details how Madonna's
brother, Christopher Ciccone - who is openly gay - defends Ms. Kim Davis,
explaining how her religious rights should be respected and how she should
be allowed to refuse to issue marriage licenses to gay couples.
Mr. Ciccone explains how, in many
instances, “sanctuary cities” in America ignore and disregard federal
immigration laws. And even though marijuana continues to be an offense
under federal law, states like Washington and Oregon ignore those laws
and no one is prosecuted.
Here is the article in its entirety:
Madonna's Brother Defends
Jailed Clerk Who Refused Marriage Licenses for Gay Couples
By Ryan
Gajewski
"Once again, the gay
community feels the need to be sore winners," wrote Christopher Ciccone,
who himself is openly gay.
Madonna's brother, Christopher
Ciccone, is speaking out in defense of the county clerk in Kentucky who
was recently jailed after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex
couples.
Ciccone, who is openly
gay, posted a message to Facebook on Friday in which he said that Kim Davis
should be granted the right deny the licenses, with Ciccone citing her
"religious freedom."
"The county clerk in
[Kentucky] deserves about as much support as you would give her if she
were a Muslim [woman] who insisted on covering her face and refused not
only gay marriages licenses, but divorce, accusations of rape and driving
a car without your man's approval," he wrote.
Ciccone acknowledged that
Davis is required to follow federal law before he added: "But why
should she when DOJ and other civil authorities don't follow federal law
when they choose not to, i.e. Washington State and Colorado (POT) come
to mind…or the abstract notion of 'sanctuary cities.' I always thought
that sanctuary was the province of churches."
"Once again, the gay
community feels the need to be sore winners," he continued. "Is
it so difficult to allow this women her religion? Or must we destroy her
in order for her to betray her faith. No matter how we judge, it's truth.
The rights we have all fought for, mean nothing, if we deny her hers."
Ciccone began his entertainment
career as one of Madonna's backup dancers before moving on to direct music
videos for such stars as Dolly Parton.
The county clerk in Kentucy
deserves about as much support as you would give her if she were a muslim
women who insisted on covering her face and refused not only gay marriages
licenses, but divorce, accusations of rape and driving a car without ur
mans approval.....perspective is everything.....this woman is a civil servant,
she is required to follow federal law.....but why should she....when DOJ
and other civil authories don't follow federal law when they choose not
to.....i.e. Washington State and Colorado (POT) come to mind...or the abstract
notion of "sanctuary cities".....i always thought that sanctuary
was the province of churches.......these things aside....this is why we
have elections.....if the folks of this county in Kentucy don't want her
as the county clerk....then don't have to vote for her.....that is how
a democracy works....not to mention the courts.
In the mean time.....since
when are we the arbiter of other peoples faith?.......can you honestly
say that you know how much a person is allowed to have??..if i'm not mistaken,
it's in the constitution.....something about religious freedom or something......selective
shaming and bullying corrupts a democracy....freedom of press, speech and
religion give it strength. Not to mention reason and the god given compassion
we as humans have a right and responsibility to practice. Once again, the
gay community feels the need to be sore winners. Is it so difficult to
allow this women her religion?...or must we destroy her in order for here
to betray her faith. No matter how we judge its truth. The rights we have
all fought for, mean nothing, if we deny her hers.
Ladies and gentlemen, I applaud
Madonna’s brother, Mr. Ciccone, who is openly gay, for sharing his views
and for defending Ms. Kim Davis and her right to refuse marriage licenses
to gay couples because of her religious beliefs.
It is time for every Christian to
join our voices and come out in support of this Christian woman who is
being martyred.
I am Senator Reverend Rubén
DÃaz, and this is what you should
know.
Cuomo Staffer Shot in Violence Ahead of West Indian Day Parade
A lawyer appointed to New York
Gov. Cuomo's staff was among the three people who were shot in an outburst of
violence ahead of the West Indian Day Parade early Monday that also resulted in
the stabbing death of a fourth person.
Carey Gabay, 43, was shot in
the head head on Bedford Avenue and Sullivan Place at about 3:40 a.m., Cuomo
said Monday morning.
Click here for the full article and video.
Source: NBC News
Note: Earlier
today, From The G-Man received the following statement from the office
of Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“Early this morning, Carey
Gabay – a member of our administration – was shot in Brooklyn. Carey is now in
critical condition at Kings County Hospital. Carey is First Deputy General
Counsel at Empire State Development and was formerly an Assistant Counsel to
the Governor.
“Carey is an outstanding public servant who joined our administration in 2011. He is a Harvard-educated lawyer who works for the State because he wants to give back to others and make a difference. He is just 43 years old and is a kind-hearted man. Carey is a friend to all who have the pleasure of meeting him. I ask that New Yorkers join us by keeping him, his wife Trenelle and his family in their prayers at this time.
“This tragic shooting – this
one by another seemingly random bullet – is the latest heartbreaking reminder
that the crime of gun violence must stop. Enough young, innocent people have
died, and it must stop now.”
New Polls Bring Bad News for Hillary Clinton
New NBC News / Marist polls spell bad news for Hillary Clinton in both Iowa and New Hampshire.
New Polls Show Major Shifts in GOP Race
Chuck Todd lays out the new NBC News / Marist polls that show major changes in both Iowa and New Hampshire.
NATO Chief to Make First Visit to Ukraine Amid Strains with Moscow
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary
Reuters, 07/09 16:20 CET
By Robin Emmott
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO’s
secretary general will make his first visit to Ukraine this month,
Ukraine’s foreign minister said on Monday, dismissing the idea that this
would provoke Moscow, which is backing the pro-Russian rebellion in
eastern Ukraine.
After a meeting with NATO chief
Jens Stoltenberg, Pavlo Klimkin said the visit, which he called
symbolic as his ex-Soviet nation seeks to integrate with the West, would
upgrade NATO’s representation in Ukraine and broaden technical
cooperation.
Klimkin rejected the idea that the visit would worsen
relations with a Russian government that wants to keep Ukraine in its
sphere of influence and has made clear its adamant opposition to
Ukraine’s ambition of joining NATO.
Against a backdrop of “Russian aggression” in eastern
Ukraine, he said the visit could hardly be classed as “further
provocation”.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
Kenya Plans Offensive Against Islamist Militants in Coastal Forest
Reuters, 07/09 17:51 CET
By Joseph Akwiri
MOMBASA (Reuters) – Kenya plans
to launch a military offensive against Islamist militants who have set
up bases in a remote forest at the northern tip of its Indian Ocean
coastline bordering Somalia, a police official said on Monday.
The east African country says Somalia’s al Shabaab group
has carried out attacks along its northern coast before retreating to
hideouts in Boni forest, a 160 kilometre-reserve that is also a
sanctuary for elephants.
“We want to ensure the forest is safe and that no
criminals are using it as a hideout to plan evil against our people,”
Frederick Ndambuki, commissioner of Kenya’s Lamu county, told Reuters.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
China’s Foreign Reserves Suffer Biggest Monthly Fall on Record
China’s foreign currency reserves suffered their largest monthly fall on record in August.
It’s the result of heavy intervention by the central bank to support
the yuan after last month’s surprise devaluation – but the drop was
less than some commentators had feared.
Figures from the People’s Bank of China
show that reserves dropped fell by $93.9 billion (84 billion euros) to
$3.557 trillion (3.2 trillion euros), as capital outflows escalated due
to fears over China’s economic
slowdown and prospects of rising US
interest rates.
One analyst said the drop in reserves was amplified as the dollar fell against other major currencies.
Click here for video.
Source: Euronews
Remains of Second World War Jews Laid to Rest in Strasbourg
Kept in jars and test tubes for seven decades, human remains believed to belong to Holocaust victims have been buried at last.
Found locked up in a French medical school in July 2015, some of the
remains had previously been put on display or kept for legal or
scientific purposes, according to media reports.
The burial, which took place near Strasbourg, France, aimed to close a troubling chapter in the region’s history.
During the Second World War, some 86 corpses were sent to the
anatomy institute at the University of Strasbourg to be used in the
experiments of Nazi researcher August Hirt.
Only one of the victims has been definitively identified: Menachem
Taffem, a Polish Jew was deported to Auschwitz concentration camp and
gassed to death.
Source: Euronews
Police Pelted with Eggs as Farmers Protest in Brussels
There have been angry scenes in Brussels as EU farmers protested over falling milk and meat prices.
Eggs and firecrackers were thrown at police, as burning straw bales filled the air with smoke.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the European Commission building in the city, as agriculture ministers met to discuss the price problems.
“Eighty-six percent of Danish milk farmers are nearly broke. So we hope we get help here today,” said one farmer from Denmark.
Ingrid Janssen, a pig association chair, was also at the demonstration.
Click here for the full article and video.
Source: Euronews
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