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Congress gives itself a raise in Omnibus

Elizabeth Harrington
The Washington Free Beacon
Thu, 22 Mar 2018 04:15 UTC
Schumer and McConnell
© Getty Images
Congressmen Schumer and McConnell 'fighting excessive alcohol use'.
The House and Senate increased their own budgets in the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending package.

The Senate increased its total salaries of officers and employees by $12.6 million in the 2,232-page bill that lawmakers had fewer than 48 hours to read and vote on. The bill avoids a government shutdown that would take place at midnight on Friday.

Aside from giving their own institutions a bonus, the omnibus also gives away millions to prevent "elderly falls," promote breastfeeding, and fight "excessive alcohol use."

The legislation increases the Senate budget to $919.9 million, up $48.8 million from fiscal year 2017, according to the congressional summary of the bill.

"The increase provides funding necessary for critical modernization and upgrades of the Senate financial management system and investments in IT security," the summary states.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives increased its budget to $1.2 billion, which is $10.9 million above 2017 levels.

Comment: US Congresspersons: Less worth the expenditure than the one to improve wine label accuracy! Bills are jokes. Who reads and comprehends a 2,232-page bill in 48 hours and is confident of every aspect in order to vote yes? This Omnibus(t) was a scam of items that appealed to the greed of Congress and, by-the-way, just happened to be 'under the gun' of shutdown. What an outright manipulation of the public and its tax dollars to get the results they want!

More from The Free Thought Project:
The Senate passed the proposal by a bipartisan 65-32 vote. The House approved the bill Thursday afternoon by a 256-167 vote with bipartisan backing. ... It wasn't just the Senate though. Every single government agency (except for the Government Publishing Office, which remains the same), has increased their department's budget in this bill-to the tune of hundreds of millions.

When you allow people to vote themselves raises twice a year, what else would you expect? These are the same people who just increased the national debt by a trillion dollars-in only six months. Last week, the national debt exceeded $21 trillion for the first time ever, a little more than six months after it hit first $20 trillion on Sept. 8, 2017.

These people are addicted to your tax revenue and their addiction is ensuring the future debt slavery of our great-great-grandchildren, and their children.

During a Tweetstorm Thursday night, as he tried to read as much of the bill as he could before he was forced to vote on it, Sen. Rand Paul pointed out some of the most ridiculous points he found in it so far.

According to Paul, the US government has become so disgustingly gluttonous that they spend $1.7 billion a year to maintain 770,000 EMPTY buildings - all the while, purchasing more property.

As America college students dig themselves a never-ending pit of debt as they progress through higher education, the US is doling out tens of billions of dollars to pay for college in other countries as well as support their militaries.

Also contained in this bill is the legislation that has the potential to strip millions of law-abiding Americans, including veterans, of their 2nd Amendment rights.

Although versions of the bill have been proposed in both the Senate and the House, and have received support from Republicans, Democrats and even the National Rifle Association, Rep. Thomas Massie warned that Congress will try to pass the Fix NICS Act by rolling it into another bill that looks harmless.

He was right, and both the House and the Senate have now passed it, hidden away in a massive raise for all of Washington.
See what they also funded:
Congress slips CLOUD Act into spending bill, grants authorities more surveillance power

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Info

Doomed to fail? Germany's long-awaited coalition government already showing signs of internal disagreement

Kirill Kuznetsov
RT
Sat, 24 Mar 2018 22:41 UTC
merkel seehofer scholz
© M. Popow / Global Look Press
The German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) (L), the Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) (C) and the Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) (R) hold a discussion in the German parliament on March 22, 2018.
No sooner has Germany finally got its new government than its head engages in a bitter dispute with a key minister and a crucial ally. Such conflicts may prove fatal to the futures both of the ruling coalition and its members.

Just days after German Chancellor Angela Merkel's fourth cabinet was sworn in, the perceived tranquillity in Europe's powerhouse following the months of uncertainty was again disturbed - this time by the newly appointed interior minister. Horst Seehofer, who is also the leader of Merkel's longstanding Bavarian allies the Christian Social Union (CSU), provoked yet another bout of controversy by saying that "Islam does not belong to Germany."

The minister's statement immediately drew a rebuke from Merkel, who said that "Islam has now become a part of Germany," and provoked a barrage of criticism from other German parties. What is more important, however, is that it seems to have rekindled an old dispute that has plagued the relations between the two German "sister-parties" and their leaders for quite some time.
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Eye 2

John Bolton isn't "hawkish" - he's a crazed war criminal with terrorist ties

Juan Cole
Informed Comment
Sat, 24 Mar 2018 21:21 UTC
John Bolton
© Gage Skidmore/Flikr
John Bolton
John Bolton helped lie our country into an illegal war of aggression that killed several hundred thousand Iraqis, wounded over a million, and displaced 4 million from their homes, helped deliver Baghdad into the hands of Iran, and helped create ISIL, which blew up Paris. In a just world, Bolton would be on trial at the Hague for war crimes. Instead, he has been promoted into a position to do to Iran what he did to Iraq.

He is also in the back pocket of the MEK Iranian terrorist organization, which despite its violent and smelly past has proved so useful to those plotting the apocalyptic destruction of Iran that the Washington elite decided to take it off the list of terrorist organizations in 2012.

The acceptable political spectrum inside the Beltway in Washington DC is a marvel to behold. Bernie Sanders, a long-serving senator and public servant won 13.2 million popular votes to 16.8 million votes for Hillary Clinton (i.e. he was backed by 43% of one of the two major parties in the country). But Sanders was virtually blacked out from corporate television coverage during his impressive presidential bid, while Jeff Zucker turned CNN over to Trump every night at 7:30 pm throughout the summer and fall of 2016 and just let him talk, or whatever he does, for an hour without even a semblance of journalistic analysis. Supposedly left-leaning MSNBC did the same thing.

Comment:

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Eye 2

Skeletons in the closet: Mueller, Weissmann, the FBI and the Mob

Sara Carter
Sara A. Carter Blog
Thu, 22 Mar 2018 19:53 UTC
Andrew Weissman
© Paul S. Howell / Getty Images
Andrew Weissman
Special Counsel Robert Mueller III and lead attorney in the Special Counsel's Office Andrew Weissmann have been connected to one another throughout most of their careers, and both men moved quickly to the top tackling major crime syndicates and white-collar crime.

Ironically, both men were also connected in two of the biggest corruption investigations in FBI history. But rarely are Weissmann and Mueller's past cases discussed in the media. Their past is relevant because it gives a roadmap to the future - now that these two longtime colleagues are charged with one of the most controversial investigations into a president in recent history.

"The integrity of the "investigation" and of the "investigators" must be a paramount priority in our criminal justice system at all times," said David Schoen, a civil rights and defense attorney, who has been outspoken on the special counsel investigation. "Certainly this fundamental guiding principle must be followed when it comes to an investigation of the duly elected President of the United States. The outcome potentially affects every one of us in very real terms...There were many alternatives to Mr. Mueller and his team and all of their very troubling baggage."

Comment: Old habits apparently die hard. Mueller was even wrapped up in the Iraqi WMD farce back in 2002.

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Snakes in Suits

Congress is forcing Trump to sanction Russia

Jay Lorenz
Fash The Nation
Thu, 22 Mar 2018 00:00 UTC
trump
© Unknown
Trump began his presidency trying to improve U.S.-Russia relations. Congress wants to make that impossible - but Trump doesn't have to play by their rules.

On Thursday, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on several Russian organizations and individuals in response to alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election. A congressional mandate passed this summer forced Trump to take action, which he only did two months after the January deadline. Trump has avoided falling into the Russia hysteria for the most part, and delayed any sanctions as long as possible, but his hand was finally forced by the nearly unanimous vote from Congress.

However, Trump's execution leaves much to be desired. Among others, the sanctions targeted the three Russian organizations and 13 Russian citizens indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller. By doing this, Trump has lent credence to the Mueller investigation which is specifically designed to take down Trump and his closest allies. After he praised Mueller when the indictments were first announced, it was clear that Trump was fine with any outcome from the Russia investigation, as long as it stopped short of collusion between his campaign and the Russian government. But he also has repeatedly called the investigation a "witch hunt." How can he credibly do that now? By giving this ground, Trump has only emboldened his enemies and given them traction to push for a collusion indictment and, eventually, impeachment.

Comment: Traps have been set. Ignorance of the cunningness and mind-twists -- of the Democrats and particular agencies -- will not save the president nor honor his course preferences for the country. The innocent are guilty; the guilty are innocent. It is upside down and backwards by design.

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Cloud Grey

Congress slips CLOUD Act into spending bill, grants authorities more surveillance power

Eric Lieberman
The Daily Caller
Thu, 22 Mar 2018 02:14 UTC
CloudAct
© R Street Institute
CLOUD ACT lets police access our data without having to comply with the Fourth Amendment.
House Republicans voted 256 to 167 to pass a $1.3 trillion, 2,232-page spending bill Thursday, which includes deep within the abyss of the bureaucratic legalese, a law that eases law enforcement's ability to collect people's information that is stored abroad.

Known as the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act, the bill (page 2,201) is supported by big players in the larger tech industry, as well as certain lawmakers and the larger intelligence community.
"The CLOUD Act paves the way for the United States to enter modern bilateral agreements for effective investigations of cross-border crime and terrorism -without international legal conflicts - and ensures that customers and data holders are protected by their own nation's privacy laws,"
Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York said in an early February press release that accompanied support from fellow cosponsors like Republican Doug Collins of Georgia.) and Darrell Issa, a Republican from California.

But it's also opposed by multiple privacy rights groups that argue granting agencies with an already formidable surveillance apparatus increased powers could further erode the trust between people within, as well as outside of, America, and the U.S. government.

Comment: Totalitarian tactics? How convenient and expedient to bury yet another rights violation into a couple thousand pages of bureaucratic law descriptions. Do we think Congress reads it and is quizzed on content and implications? No. Here it is; we vote tomorrow.

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Snakes in Suits

Clapper provided 'inconsistent testimony' about media contacts

Chuck Ross
The Daily Caller
Thu, 22 Mar 2018 12:27 UTC
Clapper
© REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
Former Director National Intelligence James Clapper
James Clapper, the director of national intelligence under former President Barack Obama, gave "inconsistent testimony" about contacts he had with the media while in office, according to a document released Thursday by Republicans on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

"Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, now a CNN national security analyst, provided inconsistent testimony to the Committee about his contacts with the media, including CNN," reads one entry in a seven-page summary of findings from the committee's Russia investigation.

The committee voted on Thursday to formally end the Russia probe. A 150-page report authored by Republicans will now undergo an intelligence community review before being released to the public. Committee Republicans released a one-page preview of its report last week in which they pointed to "problematic contacts between senior Intelligence Community officials and the media." Clapper, a retired Air Force general, is one of the senior officials.

It is not clear what information Clapper discussed with media outlets, but he was involved in a highly significant meeting with President Donald Trump just two weeks before the Republican's inauguration.

Clapper and three other top intelligence community officials - then FBI Director James Comey, then CIA Director John Brennan, and National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers - briefed Trump on Russia's efforts to meddle in the 2016 election.

Comment: See also:

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Star of David

'Our patience is not unlimited': US slams 'biased' UNHRC for 'anti-Israel' resolutions


RT
Sat, 24 Mar 2018 00:08 UTC
N Haley
© Gali Tibbon / AFP
Nikki Haley, Western Wall, Jerusalem
The US has threatened to re-evaluate its membership of the UN Human Rights Council, after it adopted five 'biased' anti-Israeli resolutions condemning its policies and calling on the world community to halt arms sales to Tel Aviv.

Following a month-long 37th session in Geneva, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) approved five 'anti-Israel' resolutions. One of the resolutions, titled 'Ensuring accountability and justice for all violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem', condemned "all violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law" against Palestinians.

Acknowledging the "widespread and unprecedented levels of destruction, death and human suffering" in the occupied territories, the UNHRC urged member states to stop selling arms to Tel Aviv. The resolution specifically
"calls upon all States to promote compliance with international law" to ensure that "authorities and private entities do not become involved in internationally unlawful conduct, inter alia the provision of arms to end users" which engage in "serious violations of international humanitarian and/or human rights law."

Comment: The UNHRC is actually treating Israel as fairly as it would treat another country with Israel's despicable history. If anything, the counsel's decision has come many years too late for the thousands who suffered and were put to death at the hands of Israel. Perhaps this time Haley is up against a wall and the UN is not willing to be her weapon.

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Laptop

Cambridge Analytica and the Royal family embroiled in data harvesting scandal


RT
Fri, 23 Mar 2018 18:35 UTC
Buckingham
© Moritz Wolf / Global Look Press
Buckingham Palace
The extended Royal family has become embroiled in the Cambridge Analytica (CA) scandal. As journalists investigate the shady deals of the consultancy firm, it has been exposed that ties to the data company go right to the top.

As the week progressed, more and more links between CA and the establishment have been revealed. Board members for parent company SCL Group include a Lords member, Tory donors, ex-British army officers and defense contractors... there's even a direct descendant of a queen in there for good measure.

CA is one arm of SCL group, formerly known as Strategic Communication Laboratories. The Observer article, which initially broke the CA scandal, said "for all intents and purposes, SCL/Cambridge Analytica are one and the same."

SCL's board is a who's who of the British establishment, with minor royals rubbing shoulders with Conservative Party donors and the military top brass.


Comment: Cambridge Analytics profiles like a 'data mining soap opera' of who's who and who dunnits.

See also:
Your privacy up for sale: Facebook is a surveillance company rebranded as 'social media'

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Bad Guys

Trump schmoozes Saudi prince, thwarts peace in Yemen, sets up new anti-Iran alliance

Peter Korzun
Strategic Culture
Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:00 UTC
Trump saudi princes
The Saudi king has just begun his two-week visit to the US but the first important achievement was seen even before the top-level talks kicked off on March 20. He and President Trump agreed to assemble a Supreme Committee to counter Iran. The UAE is the third member of this action team. Their activities will be coordinated by their national security advisers, with final decisions to be made by the heads of state. The forum will convene monthly to discuss issues of special importance.

This move is widely seen as a sign that President Trump is soon going to recertify the Iran nuclear deal, even if such a decision will mean defying some of his top military leaders. The deadline for recertification is mid-May but the president may make an announcement much earlier.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who has been nominated to replace Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, favors a tough approach to Iran. The nominee is the right man to improve cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the UAE aimed at forcing a rollback of Iran. Once he takes over the US is expected to move further into Saudi Arabia's corner.

Comment: See Also:


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