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TO THE OLD MEDIA – BAH HUMBUG

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Making Sense by Michael Reagan

In the last six weeks the liberal pundits and biased reporters of the Old Media have pulled a groin muscle trying to discredit President Trump in advance.

First they played up the recount stories to make it look like the vote totals in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania were fudged somehow.

Then they tried to play up the fact that Hillary won the popular vote and impugned the Electoral College like it had been devised by the founding fathers of the USSR.

The way the liberal Old Media saw it, their golden girl Hillary was cheated out of her rightful place in history by an antiquated, undemocratic process that needed to be blown up so the wise people of California, New York and Illinois could elect every American president from now on.

Next the Old Media tried to make it seem that Trump —- the guy they mocked during the election for having no ground game, no staff and no hope of winning — was taking longer than he should to name his cabinet.

They said he was going to pick a bunch of unqualified bums based on their loyalty to him. Then they worried he was picking too many generals and was acting like he wanted to be a dictator.

On and on, the Old Mainstream Media pursued angles and made criticisms of Trump as if presidential history started last month.

Previous presidents-elect were slower to name their staffs. Others chose several generals. But the Old Media didn’t go out of their way to point out those inconvenient historical facts. They were after Trump.

The liberal media’s latest example of historical amnesia involves the claim that Trump’s buddy Vladimir Putin used his hackers to hurt Hillary and affect the election’s outcome.

For the first time in history, the way the Old Media tell it, a foreign power was asked to manipulate an American election.

Of course, it was only Trump and the evil Republicans who would allegedly try such a dastardly and unprecedented crime against democracy.

Except it wasn’t — and once again the Old Media were caught being wrong and biased.

As I tried to remind everyone last week in a column for Newsmax, in 1980, and again in 1984, it was Democrats who reached out to the Soviets several times for help in affecting an American election.

In 1980, Saint Ted Kennedy, who was trying to defeat incumbent President Jimmy Carter in the Democratic primary, sent former Senator John Tunney to meet with the KGB in an attempt to sabotage American foreign policy.

According to documents later unearthed in the Soviet archives, Kennedy offered to condemn Carter’s policy toward the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in exchange for KGB help.

Later that fall Saint Jimmy Carter himself tried to play the Soviet card against my father in the general election.

Trailing Ronald Reagan in the polls, he sent his pal, industrialist Armand Hammer, to meet with Soviet ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin.

Hammer asked the Soviets to help Carter win Jewish votes in key states by allowing Jewish “refuseniks” in the USSR to emigrate to Israel.

The Russkies rejected Hammer’s request. But in 1984 Carter himself went to Ambassador Dobrynin to ask for help in getting my father un-elected, as did Speaker of the House, Saint Tip O’Neill.

Both Carter and O’Neill —- Democrats, I believe — told Dobrynin that it was in the planet’s best interests to get my father out of office before he blew up the world with his dangerous massive defense buildup.

Nice.

The Soviets didn’t play ball with the Democrats in 1980 or 1984. And we only know about these slimy efforts to affect American elections because the Soviet Empire collapsed and we’ve got a look at the KGB’s archives.

President Obama has ordered a full investigation into any Russian skullduggery during the 2016 election and wants it finished before he leaves office.

When his report comes out the liberal pundits and biased reporters of the Old Media will use it to make President-elect Trump look as bad as possible.

Which is why I hope Santa Claus puts nothing in their Christmas stockings this year but a lump of West Virginia coal.

Merry Christmas.

Readers Forum December 24,2016

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WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

 

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Rep. Messer Calls on Congress to Overturn Obama Rule Forcing States to Fund Abortion Providers

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Rep. Luke Messer (IN-06) is calling on Congress to overturn the recent Obama administration rule that would force states to distribute public tax dollars to abortion providers.

Federal law currently prohibits government funding for abortion, but it allows certain public dollars, like Title X “family planning” grants, to support abortion providers if the funds are directed to non-abortion related health services. The new rule, filed by the Department of Health and Human Services, would prevent states from withholding Title X grants to facilities that provide abortion.

Messer said the new rule is an attempt to block states from stopping the flow of public dollars to abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood.

Messer is sponsoring a resolution of disapproval that would overturn this new rule under the Congressional Review Act, which gives Congress 60 days to reject proposed federal agency rules.

“It’s no surprise the Obama administration is making last-ditch efforts to trample states’ rights and ignore the will of the people,” Messer said. “I’m confident the next Congress will stand up for states and quickly overturn this rule, alongside President-elect Trump’s efforts to roll back other Obama abuses of power.”

Messer plans to re-introduce the resolution in the 115th Congress and hopes it will come to a vote in early 2017.

USI 10th in updated Learfield Directors’ Cup standings

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 The University of Southern Indiana Department of Athletics finished the fall season ranked No. 10 in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings, which were updated Thursday following the conclusion of the NCAA II Football and Volleyball Championships.

The Screaming Eagles, who have recorded two straight top 25 finishes in the Learfield Director’s Cup standings, got scoring contributions from Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Cross Country, and Men’s Soccer in the fall.

Women’s Cross Country paced USI with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA II Championships in November, while Men’s Cross Country finished 13that the NCAA II Championships. Men’s Soccer advanced to the second round of the NCAA II Tournament for the first time in program history.

The Eagles ranked No. 24 at the conclusion of the fall season a year ago before finishing 25th. USI posted its top finish of 24th in 2014-15.

USI ended the fall season with 188.0 points, just 1.5 points behind the ninth-place school, Cal State Poly Pomona, and less than 50 points behind fifth-place Shippensburg University. Scoring is based off of each team’s finish at the NCAA II Championships.

The Eagles are off to a strong start to the winter season as the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams have a combined record of 21-1. Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field also begins its season in January.

 

Indiana State Police Seeks Recruits for Capitol Police Section

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The Indiana State Police Capitol Police Section is now accepting applications. Individuals who are interested in beginning a rewarding career as a Capitol Police Officer may apply online at http://www.in.gov/isp/2367.htm.  This website will provide a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police Department.

Applications must be received via e-mail by 11:59 pm (EDT), on January 8, 2017.  Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Basic Eligibility Requirements and consideration factors for a Capitol Police Officer:

1. Must be a United States citizen.
2. Must be at least 21 years of age when appointed as a police employee.
(Appointment date is June 6, 2017)
3. Must meet a minimum vision standard (corrected or uncorrected) of 20/50 acuity in each eye and 20/50 distant binocular acuity in both eyes.
4. Must possess a valid driver’s license to operate an automobile.
5. Must be a high school graduate as evidenced by a diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

The starting salary for a Capitol Police Section Probationary Officer is $35,598.00 a year.  The Indiana State Police Capitol Police Section also offers an excellent health care plan, which includes medical, dental, vision and pharmacy coverage for both current and retired employees, along with their families.  The State maintains short-term and long-term disability plans for full time employees after six (6) months of continuous employment.  As an Indiana State Police Capitol Police Officer, you are automatically enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF).  The State will contribute to your retirement account.

Interested applicants can obtain additional information about a career as a Capitol Police Officer by visiting http://www.in.gov/isp/2367.htm.

Ditch The Videogames This Winter Break

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The Cure For Cabin Fever

Looking for something fun to do with the kids over winter break? Wesselman Woods Nature Center is the place to be! The Naturalists have come up with some fun programs to break that cabin fever.

Activities will include stories, crafts, animal meet and greets, and science activities. The Science of Frozen is one of the programs planned and will allow kids to explore the science of the winter wonders seen in the movie Frozen. Another program, Hootenanny, will have kids all “aflutter” while leaning about owls.

Programs will take place at times through the days from Tuesday, December 27, through Friday December 30 at the Nature Center. All programs are included with Nature Center admission. Some programs are limited on participants, so pre-registration is offered by contacting the Nature Center at (812) 479-0771 or emailing Gena Garrett at ggarrett@wesselmannaturesociety.org

Full Schedule:

Tuesday December 27
10:00-11:00 – Toddling With Animals – ages 3 and under, limited to 15 children.
11:30-12:00 – Craft: Tree Cookie Ornaments
1:00-2:00 – Let’s Make Tracks – ages 8 and up, limited to 20 children.

Wednesday, December 28
10:00-11:00 – Hootenanny – recommended for ages 5-9, limited to 20 children.
11:30-12:00 – Story Time & Animal Visit – recommended for ages 2-8, limited to 20 children.
1:00-2:00 – Warm In The Wild – recommended for ages 4-9, limited to 20 children.

Thursday, December 29
10:00-11:00 – The Science of Frozen – ages 4 and up, limited to 20 children.
11:30-12:00 – Craft: Glittering Gumball Ornaments
1:00-2:30 – Spectacular Snowflakes – ages 8 and up, limited to 20 children.

Friday, December 30
10:00-11:00 – Animals In Winter – recommended for ages 5-9, limited to 20 children.
11:30-12:00 – Story Time & Animal Visit – recommended for ages 2-8, limited to 20 children.
1:00-2:00 – The Night Tree – recommended for ages 4-9, limited to 20 children.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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 Below are the felony cases filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.

Kasie Dawn Conner Theft, Level 6 felony

Nicole Thomas Prince Resisting law enforcement, Level 6 felony

Leaving the scene of an accident, Class B misdemeanor

Reckless driving, Class C misdemeanor

 

Delinquency adjudication upheld for student who planned a school shooting

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Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com

A Jackson County teenager who plotted a school shooting with a classmate will retain his delinquency adjudication after the Indiana Court of Appeals found Thursday that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Facebook conversations detailing the shooting plans.
In M.T. V. v. State of Indiana, 36A05-1607-JV-1681, M.T.V. was sitting at a table in the Seymour High School cafeteria in January 2016 when he stated that he and another student, B.E., were going to bring guns to the school on April 20, 2018, the same date as the Columbine shooting. M.T.V. then said that he and B.E. had a list of classmates they would shoot and that J.R., another student, was first on the list.
Another student sitting at the table reported M.T.V.’s comment to school counselors and an investigation ensued. During the investigation, the Seymour Police Department obtained Facebook conversations between M.T.V. and B.E. The state filed a delinquency petition, alleging that M.T.V. committed an act that, if committed by an adult, would be conspiracy to commit murder. The petition was then amended to add allegations of conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit possession of firearm on school property.
During a fact-finding hearing in May, the state attempted to admit the Facebook conversations into evidence, but M.T.V. objected, arguing that the records were not properly authenticated and that the conversations contained inadmissible hearsay. However, the Jackson Superior Court allowed the state to admit the conversations and entered a finding for only the conspiracy to commit aggravated battery allegation.
M.T.V. appealed, again arguing that the Facebook conversations should not have been admitted as evidence. But Judge L. Mark Bailey, writing for a unanimous panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals, pointed out that M.T.V. admitted to law enforcement that he had engaged in conversations with B.E. about shooting up the school on April 20, 2018, and the Facebook records introduced at the hearing contained the content M.T.V. told law enforcement they would find.
Further, Bailey wrote that the records were supported by an affidavit from Facebook’s authorized records custodian, Kelsey McIntosh, who testified that the records were made and kept by Facebook’s automated systems at or near the time the Facebook user transmitted the information. Thus, Bailey wrote, the records were authenticated.
Further, the appellate court found that the Facebook records and B.E.’s statements did not constitute hearsay because the independent evidence was sufficient to establish the existence of a conspiracy between M.T.V. and B.E. for purposes of hearsay exceptions under Evidence Rule 801(d).
Finally, Bailey wrote that there was substantial evidence of probative value to determine that M.T.V. and B.E. formed an agreement to inflict injury that could cause death to J.R. during a shooting on April 20, 2018.
For example, B.E. had drawn maps of the school classrooms and had put the letter X over J.R.’s assigned seat in one class. Additionally, the students’ conversation at the lunch table indicated that J.R. was targeted because B.E. had a “true disliking for him,” and their conversations on Facebook discussed plans to use weaponry to harm J.R. in particular.