Friday, April 28, 2017

The Appalachian Messenger April 28, 2017

 https://datingappalachia.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/dsc07914-e1485360788849.jpg?w=600

This week’s edition of the Appalachian Messenger has articles by:

Robert Gore
The Swarm

David DeGerolamo
Which Freedom Do You Want?

Francis W. Porretto
Wrongthink

T. L. Davis
Who Will Make The Call?

Click here for the April 28, 2017 edition.

UN: Violation of international law if Obamacare is changed?

Via Billy

 
The United Nations is once again sticking its nose into the domestic affairs of the United States in violation of its own charter (Article 2, para. 7).  The Washington Post has uncovered a transmittal letter dated February 2, 2017 from the UN Office of High Commissioner of Human Rights, forwarding to the then acting U.S. Secretary of State, Thomas Shannon, Jr., a complaint from one of the UN’s Special Rapporteurs about plans to repeal and replace Obamacare.  This Special Rapporteur “on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health,” Dainius Puras, believes it is within his mandate to intervene in the internal debate going on within the U.S. Congress and the executive branch as to what to do about Obamacare. 
 
In his letter, Puras expressed his “serious concern” over how proposed legislative changes to Medicaid, tax subsidies, and the Obamacare individual and employer mandates could deprive the American people of the rights contained in his long title. And then he waved the banner of international law. He cited broad clauses on health care in a number of treaties to which the U.S. is a party and the opinions of unaccountable members of the "UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights" interpreting the treaty clauses. The Committee noted, he said, that “there is a strong presumption that retrogressive measures taken in relation to the right to health are not permissible and if any deliberately retrogressive measures are taken, the State party has the burden of providing that they have been introduced after the most care consideration of all alternatives…”

MEDIA TRUMPED: Americans Trust Trump White House Over Liberal Media to Tell the Truth

Via Billy

The Deification of Lincoln (and of the American State)

Via Billy

 https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51PvnvW03VL._SL160_.jpg

“The violence of the criticism aimed at Lincoln by the great men of his time on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line is startling.  The breadth and depth of the spectacular prejudice against him is often shocking for its cruelty, intensity, and unrelenting vigor.  The plain truth is that Mr. Lincoln was deeply reviled by many who knew him personally, and by hundreds of thousands who only knew of him.”
–Larry Tagg, The Unpopular Mr. Lincoln: America’s Most Reviled President

In his book, The Unpopular Mr. Lincoln, historian Larry Tagg, a native of Lincoln, Illinois, constructs a powerful case that Abraham Lincoln was by far the most hated and reviled of all American presidents, North and South, during his lifetime.  For example, in May of 1864 the New York Times labeled Lincoln “a perjurer, a usurper, a tyrant, a subverter of the Constitution, a destroyer of the liberties of this country, a reckless desperado, a heartless trifler . . .  there is no circle in Dante’s Inferno full enough of torment to expiate his iniquities.”

More @ LRC

Charleston Has Possibly The Most Beautiful Housing Project in America

Via comment by Weaver on It's not elites vs. populists. It's cities vs. the...

 William Enston Home-Charleston South Carolina-Charleston Housing Authority-Housing Project-007

Dated. 

 In Charleston, South Carolina sits perhaps the most beautiful housing project in America. Built in a Romanesque Revival style, the William Enston Home consists of free-standing cottages set on a leafy green landscaped property. William Enston was a wealthy businessman in Charleston involved in furniture, real estate and shipping. He left his fortunate to the city of Charleston in 1859, with the stipulation that it be used to build a home for elderly poor.

Top Two Worst Jobs: Newspaper Reporter and Broadcaster. :)

Via Billy

https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/EIKqOFTe1LLhIU.MMrErGA--/Zmk9ZmlsbDtweW9mZj0wO3c9MjkwO2g9MTYzO3NtPTE7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-us/video/video.cbsminneapolis.com/f40c2bd143603984cf36b7639deb79ec

Some people choose their careers while others sort of just fall into them. Apparently, we in the new media have one of the worst jobs of 2017, according to the website Career Cast.

But let’s start with the best jobs of the year.

More @ CBS

The Hill: Yes, blame Obama for the sorry state of the Democratic Party

Via Billy

Yes, blame Obama for the sorry state of the Democratic Party
When the Chair of the DNC, the Senate Minority Leader, and the Democratic nominee for President of the United States cannot differentiate themselves on the political spectrum (the difference between a Democrat and a Socialist) —Houston, we have a problem.
As President Trump continues to drive stakes through the heart of Barack Obama’s legacy, the totality of the Democratic Party’s response has been to fight back for fight’s sake — not for God, not for glory, not for values, not for liberty, not for our children and posterity—but simply to remain unyielding at every turn and to consider that victory.

After the sun rose on Nov. 9, 2016, the shattering of the liberal dream had been so dramatic and that Democrats suddenly realized there was no one in charge.

Phones were silent.

Emails ceased.

DNC elites were scattering out of New York, and there were no signals from Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama to point the way forward. The flame was out.

In the course of one day, Obama’s grand progressive movement had ended and all that was left were crisis and chaos. Like a shocked animal, the Democratic Party became a feral beast lashing out blindly, indiscriminately — hoping a fang, a beak, or a claw would find its mark and make the world right again.

More @ The Hill

Trump Signs New Executive Order To Get Rid Of Bad VA Employees, Protect Whistleblowers

Via Billy

https://i.iheart.com/v3/re/new_assets/58ff1c321c8453fd1330b89e

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday establishing an office to help get rid of bad employees and protect whistleblowers at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump visited the VA offices Thursday and thanked veterans for their service, in addition to thanking employees who help veterans, while signing the executive order called “Improving Accountability and Whistleblower Protection at the Department of Veterans Affairs.”

“I’m honored also to be at the Department of Veterans Affairs because I will tell you this has been something right from the beginning of the campaign that does not get any more important for me than making life really great for our phenomenal veterans, that I can say,” Trump said.

“This executive order makes it clear that we will never ever tolerate substandard care for our great veterans,” he added.

“This is an important moment in the life of the VA,” Vice President Mike Pence said.

Businesses that use foreign workers are starting to explore the possibility of recruiting domestic labor

Via Numbers USA "Isn't this the point?"

Part of the U.S.-Mexico border wall is pictured. | AP Photo

President Donald Trump has systematically engineered a major crackdown on immigration during his first 100 days in office — even as courts reject his executive orders and Congress nears a spending deal that will deny him funding for a wall along the southern border.

The number of arrests on the U.S.-Mexico border plummeted in March to its lowest level in 17 years — a strong suggestion that Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric is scaring away foreigners who might otherwise try to enter the United States illegally. In addition, part of a lesser-known executive order that Trump signed in January gave federal immigration agents broad leeway to arrest virtually any undocumented immigrant they encounter.

More @ Politico

Herman: 51 years later, a Texas serviceman comes home

Via Nguyễn Văn Bẩy



It’s amazing how so little can mean so much. Stick with me here and you’ll see what I mean. And you’ll agree.

In 1966, exactly 51 years ago Friday, a B-57 piloted by Air Force Capt. Robert Russell “Bear” Barnett, 32, was shot down in Laos. He was listed as presumed dead, body not recovered.

Barnett later was honored and his family was presented his medals at a Fort Sam Houston memorial service in San Antonio. A memorial marker there honors his service and remembers his life.

There was no funeral, no burial. And for the Barnett family, no closure.

Until now.

More with video @ My Statesman

EXPOSED: Liberal College Censoring Conservatives

Via Billy


The Latest 18th Century Fake News

 

The “fake news” pejorative has become commonplace in modern public discourse, so much so that social media outlets have taken it upon themselves to “police” so-called “fake news” stories and warn people about their dangers. This was largely due to the supposed impact “fake news” had on Trump supporters in 2016. To these self-appointed gatekeepers of truth, honesty, and the American way, nothing that contradicts their version of American history can be acceptable.

Their narrative goes something like this: America was created as a singular nation on the principles of “justice” and “equality.” You “anti-American” fools that argue the founding generation believed something different need to study Alexander Hamilton, John Marshall, and Abraham Lincoln [sic].

They clearly and correctly argued that the Union predated the States, just read the Declaration of Independence.

Pikeville This Weekend

 https://westernrifleshooters.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/pikeville-2-300x300.jpg

As June closes in, we at 12 Round Productions are in the final stages of edits for Lies of Omission, bringing together music, sound and B-roll to meet the deadline. The deadline is NOT June 1st, it is IN June, that timeframe has not changed.

But, aside from publicity and the like, I have seen my role diminish to the point that I can do something else with my time, which brings me to Pikeville, KY this weekend. In the post I wrote a few weeks ago, here, I mentioned that I thought this was necessary. It will be an important skirmish in the war on the First Amendment. These Antifa(s) are outright Communists and are dedicated to the disruption and disintegration of the United States as a republic. It can be summarized as nothing less and it is up to us, to show that we are not afraid of them and are, in fact, anxious to engage them, because we know that they are paid-for muscle and anti-American agitators.

Trump moves to protect US industry from cheap aluminum imports

Via Billy

Image result for Trump moves to protect US industry from cheap aluminum imports

President Trump on Thursday signed a memorandum that finds low-priced imported aluminum is a threat to U.S. national security, and encouraged the Commerce Department to prioritize an investigation that could lead to new import restrictions.

"The artificially low prices caused by excess capacity and unfairly traded imports suppress profits in the American aluminum industry, which discourages long-term investment in the industry and hinders efforts by American aluminum producers to research and develop new and better grades of aluminum," Trump's memo said.

The Place of Christianity in History: A View from Without

 

In today’s irreligious and indeed antireligious climate the fashion is to dismiss Christianity as crude superstition, and to babble wisely about the separation of church and state. This is unfortunate, and stupid, since Christianity was the heart and soul of as yet the greatest civilization the world has seen. Those who know nothing of it cannot understand the last two thousand years and how our world came to be.

Renegade Jews founded Christianity (most Jews soon wished they had not), as a sort of heresy that got out of control, lost all resemblance to Judaism,  and eventually stretched across Europe, Russia, North and South America, Australia, and the Byzantine Empire. In all of these it shaped the culture, art, philosophy, literature, the very framework of mind. Much of this was superb and remains unsurpassed.

And what a magnificent thing it was!

UVA: 20% of Trump Voters Were former Obama Voters

Via Billy


Trump complains Saudis not paying fair share for U.S. defense

Via Billy


President Donald Trump complained on Thursday that U.S. ally Saudi Arabia was not treating the United States fairly and Washington was losing a “tremendous amount of money” defending the kingdom.

In an interview with Reuters, Trump confirmed his administration was in talks about possible visits to Saudi Arabia and Israel in the second half of May. He is due to make his first trip abroad as president for a May 25 NATO summit in Brussels and could add other stops.

"Frankly, Saudi Arabia has not treated us fairly, because we are losing a tremendous amount of money in defending Saudi Arabia,” he said.

More @ Yahoo

Trump to sign order to open up more offshore drilling

Via Billy

Image result for Trump to sign order to open up more offshore drilling

President Trump on Friday will sign an executive order on opening up the U.S. coasts to more offshore drilling while reviewing a number of former President Barack Obama's marine monument and sanctuary approvals seen as barriers to offshore energy development.

The Executive Order Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy directs the Interior Department to begin a review of restrictive drilling policies for the outer-continental shelf, while reviewing regulations and the Obama administration's actions.

NRA determined to turn major election wins into permanent gun rights for Americans

Via Billy

Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, told The Washington Times that NRA members can't become complacent in the post-Obama era. (Associated Press/File)

Gun rights backers need to make sure that election victories translate into action on Capitol Hill and expanded support in the states, the National Rifle Association’s legislative chief said Thursday, a day ahead of President Trump’s speech at the NRA’s annual convention.

Enacting concealed-carry reciprocity, which would allow permit holders from one state to carry their weapons anywhere else in the U.S., is a top priority for the NRA now that the organization has a friendly Congress and a president it eagerly backed.

But Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, told The Washington Times that NRA members can’t become complacent in the post-Obama era.

Why can't House repeal Obamacare? Because a lot of Republicans don't want to

Via Billy

 
The Republican-controlled House and Senate both voted to repeal Obamacare in January 2016. In the House, 239 Republicans voted for repeal, while three voted against it and four did not vote. President Obama, of course, vetoed the bill.
Now, with a president who would sign an Obamacare repeal, there's no way Republicans could get as many votes as last year.

"We're going to go when we have the votes," Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday when asked when the House will pass a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. Lawmakers will not be constrained by any "artificial deadline," Ryan declared.

On March 24, when the Speaker pulled the GOP Obamacare bill before what would have been a sure defeat, he said, "We're going to be living with Obamacare for the foreseeable future."

But why? Republicans have 237 seats in the House. Repealing Obamacare will require 216 votes. Even with unanimous Democratic opposition, Republicans could lose 20 votes and still prevail on repeal. Why haven't they done it?

By this time, it's becoming increasingly clear that Republicans have not repealed Obamacare because a lot of Republicans do not want to repeal Obamacare.

House Committee Seeks Charges For Hillary Clinton’s IT Firm

Via Billy

Paul Combetta, Platte River Networks (Photo: Screenshot/C-SPAN)

A House committee is referring the head of a company that managed Hillary Clinton’s private email server to the Justice Department for obstruction of justice and making false statements.

Texas Rep. Lamar Smith, the chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the referral for Treve Suazo, the CEO of Platte River Networks.

“With a new administration in place, I am hopeful that the Department of Justice will appropriately respond to the referral. We cannot allow companies with valuable information to stonewall us in our oversight efforts,” Smith said in a statement.

Is a Management Shake-up Looming at Fox News?

Via Billy

Image

As Fox News is roiled by lawsuits and the ouster of Bill O’Reilly, the network’s co-president Bill Shine has retained the backing of the Murdochs. On Monday, Rupert Murdoch took network co-presidents Shine and Jack Abernethy to lunch at Marea, a seafood restaurant near Fox’s midtown headquarters — a highly public show of support. 

But privately, Shine is expressing concern about his future at the network. According to three sources briefed on the conversations, Shine has told friends he recently asked Rupert’s sons James and Lachlan — the CEO and co-chairman, respectively, of network parent company 21st Century Fox — to release a statement in support of him, but they refused to do so. The sources said Shine made the request because of withering press coverage of Fox News in recent weeks. A source added that Shine has privately complained that Rupert “isn’t fighting for him” in the press, which is why he wanted explicit support from the sons.

Self-driving bicycle

Via Jean

 Dated.


Who doesn’t want to see the first GOP millennial Latina beat the pants off of de Blasio for NYC mayor?

Via Billy


The latest entry into the New York City mayoral race should finally put to rest that old saw that the GOP is a party comprised of old white men.

New York Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, a Latina, threw her hat into the ring Tuesday, determined not only to be the Big Apple’s first millennial mayor, but to also break the stranglehold the Democratic Party has on big cities in the U.S.

The New York Times Metro desk reported:

More @ BIZPAC

Hensarling to move Dodd-Frank replacement next week, eyes Fannie and Freddie

Via Billy

 Senate Finance panel is set to vote on the package Tuesday and the House will vote on it

House Republican legislation meant to replace the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law is headed to the floor soon, the chairman responsible for the bill said Thursday.

Rep. Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, told reporters that the panel is scheduled to vote on the sweeping legislative package Tuesday and the full House will vote on it "shortly thereafter."

Although there is not more definite timing for the legislative package, the timetable is moving up amid uncertainty about other top Republican legislative goals, such as repealing Obamacare.

And Republicans also are eyeing relatively swift action to overhaul the bailed-out government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

China urges withdrawal of U.S. THAAD missile defense system in South Korea

Via comment byWeaver  on Senior White House Official Says Military Preparat...

 A U.S. military vehicle which is a part of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system arrives in Seongju, South Korea, April 26, 2017. Kim Jun-beom/Yonhap via


China said on Wednesday it had expressed serious concern to Washington and Seoul after the U.S. military started moving parts of its controversial THAAD anti-missile defense system to a deployment site in South Korea.

Speaking at a daily news briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China urged the U.S. and South Korea to withdraw the system.

Seoul and Washington say the sole purpose of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is to defend against North Korean missiles, but China is concerned the system's powerful radar can penetrate its territory and undermine its security and has repeatedly expressed opposition to it.

A&E Interviews Gun Store Manager who Fought Back in L.A. Riots 25 Years Later


The A&E Network recently aired “L.A. Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later,” a documentary on the momentous Rodney King Riots. The documentary follows how the riots scarred L.A. and how they continue to affect people to this day, 25 years later.

Among the people affected by the riots were those who lived and worked in Koreatown, a Korean neighborhood in L.A. When riots and looting broke out in their community, Koreans famously took up arms in self-defense.

L.A. Burning interviewed one man who fought back, former gun store manager David Joo. “At that time I was at the gun store, and I happened to receive a phone call from my employer,” said Joo. “He also owned a jewelry store right down the block there.”

“And he said ‘David, we’re having a gunfight in here, so can you just come over and help us?'”

More @ Guns America