Month: November 2014

Cryptogon – via New York Times

A potato genetically engineered to reduce the amounts of a potentially harmful ingredient in French fries and potato chips has been approved for commercial planting, the Department of Agriculture announced on Friday.

The potato’s DNA has been altered so that less of a chemical called acrylamide, which is suspected of causing cancer in people, is produced when the potato is fried.

The new potato also resists bruising, a characteristic long sought by potato growers and processors for financial reasons. Potatoes bruised during harvesting, shipping or storage can lose value or become unusable.   Continue reading “U.S.D.A. Approves Genetically Modified Potato”

Air Force Times – by Leo Shane

When Congress passed new rules for firing Veterans Affairs executives in July, the goal was to get rid of problem employees faster and without bureaucratic confusion. So far, it’s done neither.

Now Justice Department officials are distancing themselves from the issue, even as both sides point to behind-the-scenes agency comments as proof that the other side is playing politics.   Continue reading “Justice Department’s influence in VA cases up for debate”

Yahoo News – by JACQUES BILLEAUD

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona’s frustrations over federal enforcement of the state’s border with Mexico spawned a movement nearly a decade ago to have local police confront illegal immigration. Now, the state’s experiment in immigration enforcement is falling apart in the courts.

A ruling Friday that struck down the state’s 2005 immigrant smuggling law marks the latest in a string of restrictions placed by the courts on Arizona’s effort to get local police to take action on people living in the U.S. illegally. The smuggling law, like similar state statutes, was tossed because a judge concluded it conflicted with the federal government’s immigration powers.   Continue reading “Another Arizona immigration law struck down”

Ann Barnhardt

So let me lay out some simple TRUE PREMISES, and then ask a follow-up question.

A.)  The constitutional republic referred to as the United States of America no longer exists.  TRUE.
B.)  The Rule of Law is no longer in force in the former United States.  TRUE.
C.) The Constitution of the United States and the system of government it defines is therefore no longer in force.  TRUE. Continue reading “This is what hope looks like.”

Food Babe

I have been to countless holiday meals when I had no control over the ingredients. Of course, I ate what was offered and was polite but knowing what I know now about what’s really in food – it’s hard for me to just shut up and take it. The more we shut up and take it, the more disgusting things like what I am about to share with you continue to happen. That’s why I am sharing these important facts about how to avoid drugged up turkeys this holiday season.   Continue reading “This Drug Has Sickened Thousands of Animals – Will It Be At Your Holiday Feast?”

Yahoo News – by David Porter

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Nine rookie police officers have been fired for their behavior at a drunken graduation party in northern New Jersey.

In announcing the dismissals the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said Friday the incident has prompted a review of the process for selecting and training candidates. The officers were part of the agency’s largest-ever graduating class.   Continue reading “Drunken party costs 9 rookie cops their jobs”

RT

Beijing says it will spend $40 billion to revive the historic Silk Road and connect China with Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe – but this time, China will be the global power flexing its economic muscles.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said the ambitious project is designed to “break the connectivity bottleneck” in Asia, state media quoted him as saying during a meeting in the Chinese capital with leaders from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Tajikistan.    Continue reading “Marco Polo in reverse: China pledges $40bn for new Silk Road”

Mail.com

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress members returning to Capitol Hill next week will face a debate over President Barack Obama’s new $5.6 billion plan to expand the U.S. mission in Iraq and send up to 1,500 more American troops to the war-torn nation.

Obama authorized the deployment of advisory teams and trainers to bolster struggling Iraqi forces across the country, including into Iraq’s western Anbar province where fighting with Islamic State militants has been fierce. His decision comes just three days after bruising midterm elections for his Democratic Party.   Continue reading “Expanded US role in Iraq? Not without Congress’ OK”

Mail.com

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Americans held by North Korea were on their way home Saturday after their release was secured through a secret mission by the top U.S. intelligence official to the reclusive Communist country.

Matthew Miller of Bakersfield, California, and Kenneth Bae of Lynnwood, Washington, were flying back to the West Coast with James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, according to U.S. officials. Clapper was the highest-ranking American to visit Pyongyang in more than a decade.   Continue reading “2 Americans held in North Korea whisked back home”

Mail.com

BERLIN (AP) — Germany on Sunday celebrates the 25th anniversary of the night the Berlin Wall fell, a pivotal moment in the collapse of communism and the start of the country’s emergence as the major power at the heart of Europe.

A 15-kilometer (nine-mile) chain of lighted balloons along the former border will be released into the air early Sunday evening — around the time on Nov. 9, 1989 when a garbled announcement by a senior communist official set off the chain of events that brought down the Cold War’s most potent symbol.   Continue reading “Germany marks 25 years since Berlin Wall’s fall”

CBC

Canada and China have signed a reciprocal currency deal that’s expected to dramatically boost exports.

The hub will foster far easier trade between the Canadian dollar and the Chinese yuan, also known as the renminbi. It makes Canada the first country in the Americas to have a deal to trade in the renminbi.

The signing of the deal was announced in Beijing today by Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.   Continue reading “Canada, China sign currency deal aimed at boosting trade”

Yahoo News – by Aruna Viswanatha and Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Saturday picked Brooklyn federal prosecutor Loretta Lynch to be the next U.S. attorney general, praising her as someone who would bring a commitment to criminal justice reform and other key administration priorities.

If confirmed, Lynch, 55, would be the first black woman to serve in the post, bringing with her a family history that stretches back generations to great-great grandparents who were slaves.   Continue reading “Obama picks NY prosecutor Lynch to be next attorney general”

Shark Tank – by Javier Manjarres

California’s new Assembly Bill 60, which gives illegal aliens (14 million) the opportunity to apply for a Driver’s License, is set to go into effect in the coming days.

While the cards stated that there are “federal limits” that apply to their use, and are only to be used to drive a vehicle, you know that these cards will be used for voting purposes.

California only requires illegal immigrants to prove residency, give fingerprints, and have proper identification.   Continue reading “Illegal Immigrants To Get Driver’s Licenses In CA”

Daily Caller – by Chuck Ross

Frustrated with U.S. Attorneys who disagreed with a decision to force a fellow U.S. Attorney to resign in the aftermath of the failed Operation Fast and Furious gun-walking scandal, Attorney General Eric Holder advised in an email that his critics “can kiss my ass.”

Holder sent the email Aug. 30, 2011 in response to a Department of Justice deputy who relayed the news that around 25 U.S. Attorneys throughout the country were “upset” with how the forced resignation was handled.   Continue reading “Eric Holder Email: ‘Some People Can Kiss My A**’”