Republican frontrunner Donald Trump told an interviewer that he “always felt that I was in the military” because he attended an elite, military-style boarding school as a teenager. Trump also claimed to have more military training than “a lot of the guys” who have actually spent time in the Armed Forces.
Trump made the controversial comments to biographer Michael D’Antonio, author of upcoming Trump biography “Never Enough: Donald Trump and the Pursuit of Success.” Excerpts of the book were published in the New York Times yesterday.
This is not the first time Trump has said something controversial about the military. Several months ago, he was criticized for saying that Senator John McCain is “not a war hero…he’s a war hero because he was captured.”
Despite his habit of making inflammatory comments – or maybe because of it – Trump has opened a commanding lead over the Republican field. But a number of Republicans are worried as to whether he has the true leadership qualities to triumph in the general election.
Last week, Trump was criticized following a radio interview during which he failed to answer a number of questions about foreign policy. Republican candidate Carly Fiorina criticized Trump’s following the interview, saying, “I think it is very difficult to lead if you don’t have the requisite knowledge.”
Trump also told MSNBC last week that he would work with Barack Obama and John Kerry’s deal with Iran, a position many conservatives find repugnant.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
France Honors Train Attack Heroes, Braces For Further Attacks
The President of France awarded the Legion of Honor yesterday to three Americans andone Briton who thwarted a heavily armed terrorist on a train in northern France last week. The Legion of Honor is the highest civilian decoration in France.
Airman First Class Spencer Stone, Oregon National Guard member Alek Skarlatos, and college student Anthony Sadler tackled and disarmed Muslim terrorist Ayoub El-Khazzani on Friday as he attempted to massacre innocent civilians aboard a high-speed train.
French President Hollande thanked the heroes for “risking everything including your own lives” to prevent the “massacre” El-Khazzani would have caused.
Khazzani was armed with an AK-47, a pistol and a knife and was reportedly carrying 300 rounds of ammunition. He was able to launch the attack despite being listed as a security threat by both French and Spanish authorities.
Hollande warned yesterday that France must be prepared for further domestic terror attacks, telling journalists that Friday’s incident would not be the last.
"We are always exposed and Friday's aggression on the Thalys Amsterdam-Paris train could have resulted in monstrous carnage without the courage of several passengers," he said. “This attack is fresh proof that we must prepare for other attacks and therefore protect ourselves.”
Similar “homegrown terror” attacks have been launched in the United States this year in Garland, Texas and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Airman First Class Spencer Stone, Oregon National Guard member Alek Skarlatos, and college student Anthony Sadler tackled and disarmed Muslim terrorist Ayoub El-Khazzani on Friday as he attempted to massacre innocent civilians aboard a high-speed train.
French President Hollande thanked the heroes for “risking everything including your own lives” to prevent the “massacre” El-Khazzani would have caused.
Khazzani was armed with an AK-47, a pistol and a knife and was reportedly carrying 300 rounds of ammunition. He was able to launch the attack despite being listed as a security threat by both French and Spanish authorities.
Hollande warned yesterday that France must be prepared for further domestic terror attacks, telling journalists that Friday’s incident would not be the last.
"We are always exposed and Friday's aggression on the Thalys Amsterdam-Paris train could have resulted in monstrous carnage without the courage of several passengers," he said. “This attack is fresh proof that we must prepare for other attacks and therefore protect ourselves.”
Similar “homegrown terror” attacks have been launched in the United States this year in Garland, Texas and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Oath Keepers Announce Armed Demonstration With Ferguson Protesters
During recent protests marking the one-year anniversary of Michael Brown’s death, the Oath Keepers gun group sent armed members to Ferguson, Mo. to provide “security” to journalists and local businesses.
Local law enforcement criticized the move, calling the Oath Keepers’ presence in Ferguson “inflammatory and unnecessary.” Many in the gun rights community also condemned the Oath Keepers’ activities, saying they did nothing but raise tensions and fan the flames of an already dangerous situation.
Now the Oath Keepers have announced they will return to Ferguson to stage an open carry demonstration, which they say will be joined by African-American Oath Keepers and members of the Ferguson community. An Oath Keepers leader also went on the record saying he believes the Ferguson protesters should be armed.
While the Oath Keepers’ prior activities in Ferguson may have led to increased tension, their new plan could actually cause someone to get hurt.
There are many law-abiding gun owners in the Ferguson community who should have every right to defend themselves, including residents who have banded together to protect businesses from looting and keep the community safe.
But there are also a large number of looters and violent criminals who have no business being anywhere near a firearm. These protesters have already destroyed property, fired on police, and caused permanent damage to the community.
Who, exactly, are the Oath Keepers trying to arm?
Local law enforcement criticized the move, calling the Oath Keepers’ presence in Ferguson “inflammatory and unnecessary.” Many in the gun rights community also condemned the Oath Keepers’ activities, saying they did nothing but raise tensions and fan the flames of an already dangerous situation.
Now the Oath Keepers have announced they will return to Ferguson to stage an open carry demonstration, which they say will be joined by African-American Oath Keepers and members of the Ferguson community. An Oath Keepers leader also went on the record saying he believes the Ferguson protesters should be armed.
While the Oath Keepers’ prior activities in Ferguson may have led to increased tension, their new plan could actually cause someone to get hurt.
There are many law-abiding gun owners in the Ferguson community who should have every right to defend themselves, including residents who have banded together to protect businesses from looting and keep the community safe.
But there are also a large number of looters and violent criminals who have no business being anywhere near a firearm. These protesters have already destroyed property, fired on police, and caused permanent damage to the community.
Who, exactly, are the Oath Keepers trying to arm?
Monday, August 10, 2015
Carly Fiorina: GOP’s Best Bet To Beat Hillary?
Carly Fiorina has emerged as a real contender for the Republican presidential nomination following her performance in last week’s debate, and may be one of the party’s best bets to keep Hillary Clinton out of the White House.
As her debate performance showed, Fiorina won’t pull any punches in going after Clinton and the Republican frontrunners. During the debate, she said, “Hillary Clinton lies about Benghazi, she lied about emails, she is still defending Planned Parenthood, and she is still her party's frontrunner."
She continued to slam both Clinton and Donald Trump in the days following the debate.
First, she condemned Trump for his comments about Fox News host Megyn Kelly, tweeting last week: “Mr. Trump: There. Is. No. Excuse.” (Trump responded by tweeting that Fiorina gives him a “massive headache.”)
Then, the former Hewlett Packard CEO attacked Clinton for her ignorance on economic policy. Fiorina told Fox News:
After beginning her career as a secretary, Fiorina rose to become the first female CEO of a top twenty US corporation. As CEO of Hewlett-Packard between 1999 and 2005, She led the company’s merger with Compaq before being forced to resign following what she called a “boardroom brawl” in 2005.
Many viewers rated Fiorina the strongest of all the participants in last week’s debates. At least one post-debate poll ranked Fiorina fourth among all Republicans.
As her debate performance showed, Fiorina won’t pull any punches in going after Clinton and the Republican frontrunners. During the debate, she said, “Hillary Clinton lies about Benghazi, she lied about emails, she is still defending Planned Parenthood, and she is still her party's frontrunner."
She continued to slam both Clinton and Donald Trump in the days following the debate.
First, she condemned Trump for his comments about Fox News host Megyn Kelly, tweeting last week: “Mr. Trump: There. Is. No. Excuse.” (Trump responded by tweeting that Fiorina gives him a “massive headache.”)
Then, the former Hewlett Packard CEO attacked Clinton for her ignorance on economic policy. Fiorina told Fox News:
“I would point out to Hillary Clinton is that every single one of the policies that she’s currently pursuing make income inequality worse. Exhibit A, income inequality under the Obama administration. Exhibit B, every liberal state in this nation. I spent 12 years in the state of California, a state that’s been ruled by liberals for a long time. And guess what you have: about 130 billionaires — good for them — the highest poverty rates in the nation, the exodus of middle class and destruction of industry after industry after industry. Income inequality is worse under progressive policies because progressive policies favor the wealthy, the well-connected, the big and the powerful.”As the former CEO of one of the largest corporations in the country, Fiorina has something Clinton sorely lacks: true leadership experience.
After beginning her career as a secretary, Fiorina rose to become the first female CEO of a top twenty US corporation. As CEO of Hewlett-Packard between 1999 and 2005, She led the company’s merger with Compaq before being forced to resign following what she called a “boardroom brawl” in 2005.
Many viewers rated Fiorina the strongest of all the participants in last week’s debates. At least one post-debate poll ranked Fiorina fourth among all Republicans.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Texas Terrorist Obtained Weapon Through “Fast And Furious” Program
One of the homegrown terrorists who attacked a Mohammed cartoon show in Garland, Texas this spring purchased a gun through the Department of Justice’s “Fast and Furious” program in 2010.
Nadir Soofi bought a 9mm pistol at Lone Wolf Trading Co in Phoenix, AZ in 2010. Because he had a lengthy criminal record including assault and drug charges, Soofi lied on forms required for potential gun buyers.
His lies caught the attention of authorities, and a seven-day hold was placed on the transaction. For unknown reasons, the hold was lifted a day later.
Lone Wolf was one of the gun shops involved in the “Fast and Furious” sting operation, which resulted in the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. In a failed effort to track guns to Mexican drug gangs, the Department of Justice deliberately allowed shops like Lone Wolf to sell guns to prohibited individuals.
Earlier this year, Soofi launched a full-scale attack on an art exhibit that included cartoons of the prophet Mohammed. Armed with three pistols, three rifles, and 1500 rounds of ammunition, he and another terrorist were able to wound a security officer before being killed by local police.
Justice Department officials haven’t said anything publicly, but a growing body of evidence indicates that one of the guns Soofi used is Garland was the one he bought at Lone Wolf in 2010.
According to a letter sent to Attorney General Loretta Lynch by Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, Justice Department officials sent a request for information to Lone Wolf immediately following the Garland attack.
Although the request did not say if the gun the shop sold to Soofi was used in the attack, it did say that DOJ needed to know more about the sale to “assist in a criminal investigation.”
Nadir Soofi bought a 9mm pistol at Lone Wolf Trading Co in Phoenix, AZ in 2010. Because he had a lengthy criminal record including assault and drug charges, Soofi lied on forms required for potential gun buyers.
His lies caught the attention of authorities, and a seven-day hold was placed on the transaction. For unknown reasons, the hold was lifted a day later.
Lone Wolf was one of the gun shops involved in the “Fast and Furious” sting operation, which resulted in the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. In a failed effort to track guns to Mexican drug gangs, the Department of Justice deliberately allowed shops like Lone Wolf to sell guns to prohibited individuals.
Earlier this year, Soofi launched a full-scale attack on an art exhibit that included cartoons of the prophet Mohammed. Armed with three pistols, three rifles, and 1500 rounds of ammunition, he and another terrorist were able to wound a security officer before being killed by local police.
Justice Department officials haven’t said anything publicly, but a growing body of evidence indicates that one of the guns Soofi used is Garland was the one he bought at Lone Wolf in 2010.
According to a letter sent to Attorney General Loretta Lynch by Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, Justice Department officials sent a request for information to Lone Wolf immediately following the Garland attack.
Although the request did not say if the gun the shop sold to Soofi was used in the attack, it did say that DOJ needed to know more about the sale to “assist in a criminal investigation.”
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
DEA: Heroin Epidemic Worse Than Ever
A veteran DEA official told Congress yesterday that he has “never seen” heroin use more common than it is today.
“I’ve been with the DEA almost 30 years, and I have to tell you, I’ve never seen it this bad,” acting DEA deputy commissioner Jack Riley told a House Judiciary Subcommittee On Crime, terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations.
Heroin deaths grew from 5,900 to 8,200 between 2012 and 2013, according to the White House Office of National Drug Policy. More than half of all overdose deaths in the United States are from heroin or prescription painkillers.
The epidemic has affected Americans of all backgrounds, Riley added.
“Heroin can be found in virtually every corner of our country, in places I’ve never seen it, large and small, urban and rural,” he said.
Riley and other officials blamed the surge in heroin use on the over-prescription of prescription painkillers, pointing out that eighty percent of new heroin users previously used prescription opioids. People who become addicted to prescription pills often turn to heroin as a cheaper alternative.
“The price of heroin has fallen to new lows, about ten dollars a day,” said Rep. Judy Chu of California. “Prescription opioids cost about 80 dollars a day. For those already addicted to prescription drugs, heroin becomes an attractive option.”
The chairman of the House Judiciary committee, Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, said the Obama Administration hasn’t done enough to fight the problem.
“Despite the ongoing heroin epidemic, despite the surge in deaths, and despite that illicit controlled substances and their purveyors pose a lethal threat to the American people, the Obama administration has continued to shirk its duty to protect this nation from dangerous narcotics,” he said.
“I’ve been with the DEA almost 30 years, and I have to tell you, I’ve never seen it this bad,” acting DEA deputy commissioner Jack Riley told a House Judiciary Subcommittee On Crime, terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations.
Heroin deaths grew from 5,900 to 8,200 between 2012 and 2013, according to the White House Office of National Drug Policy. More than half of all overdose deaths in the United States are from heroin or prescription painkillers.
The epidemic has affected Americans of all backgrounds, Riley added.
“Heroin can be found in virtually every corner of our country, in places I’ve never seen it, large and small, urban and rural,” he said.
Riley and other officials blamed the surge in heroin use on the over-prescription of prescription painkillers, pointing out that eighty percent of new heroin users previously used prescription opioids. People who become addicted to prescription pills often turn to heroin as a cheaper alternative.
“The price of heroin has fallen to new lows, about ten dollars a day,” said Rep. Judy Chu of California. “Prescription opioids cost about 80 dollars a day. For those already addicted to prescription drugs, heroin becomes an attractive option.”
The chairman of the House Judiciary committee, Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, said the Obama Administration hasn’t done enough to fight the problem.
“Despite the ongoing heroin epidemic, despite the surge in deaths, and despite that illicit controlled substances and their purveyors pose a lethal threat to the American people, the Obama administration has continued to shirk its duty to protect this nation from dangerous narcotics,” he said.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
FBI Investigating Tennessee Shooter’s Possible Ties To Terror Groups
The FBI said it is investigating whether the 24-year-old Muslim who shot and killed four marines in Tennessee on Thursday had any contact with terrorist groups during a seven-month trip to Jordan and other Middle Eastern countries last year.
"It would be premature to speculate on exactly why the shooter did what he did," an agent said. "However, we are conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether this person acted alone or was inspired or directed."
Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez was born in Kuwait but moved to Tennessee as a child, where he was raised in a devout Muslim family. He graduated with a degree in engineering at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and briefly worked at a nearby nuclear facility.
Although very little about him is known at this point, it seems as he Abdulazeez became more radicalized after he returned from the Middle East last year. He grew a beard, frequently attended Muslim religious services, and posted ominous comments on his blog, including one claiming Muslims should never miss “the opportunity to submit to Allah.”
On Thursday, he showed up heavily armed at a Navy-Marine training center and used an AK-47 to kill four American soldiers and injure three others. He was killed after a firefight with police.
This tragic episode serves as a reminder of how easy it is for enemies of the United States to go undetected even in our own country, and how much damage a single terrorist can cause. Thanks to the rise of “homegrown terrorism,” all somebody like Abdulazeez has to do is bring a gun to a public place and start shooting.
Hopefully, this attack will serve as a reminder of the dangers our country faces and remind people to remain vigilant at all times.
"It would be premature to speculate on exactly why the shooter did what he did," an agent said. "However, we are conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether this person acted alone or was inspired or directed."
Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez was born in Kuwait but moved to Tennessee as a child, where he was raised in a devout Muslim family. He graduated with a degree in engineering at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and briefly worked at a nearby nuclear facility.
Although very little about him is known at this point, it seems as he Abdulazeez became more radicalized after he returned from the Middle East last year. He grew a beard, frequently attended Muslim religious services, and posted ominous comments on his blog, including one claiming Muslims should never miss “the opportunity to submit to Allah.”
On Thursday, he showed up heavily armed at a Navy-Marine training center and used an AK-47 to kill four American soldiers and injure three others. He was killed after a firefight with police.
This tragic episode serves as a reminder of how easy it is for enemies of the United States to go undetected even in our own country, and how much damage a single terrorist can cause. Thanks to the rise of “homegrown terrorism,” all somebody like Abdulazeez has to do is bring a gun to a public place and start shooting.
Hopefully, this attack will serve as a reminder of the dangers our country faces and remind people to remain vigilant at all times.
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